Mad About Pets!

Vote for Critter Camp in Chase's charitable giving giveaway! Click here---> bit.ly/Qez0IZ

Critter Camp is an exotic animal rescue in northern Illinois that gives abused, abandoned and neglected exotic animals a place to call home. Owner and operator Beth Randall pours her heart and soul into this rescue, as you can see by the interview Mad About Pets did with her a while back.

It takes just 2 seconds to vote, and could make all the difference for this great rescue! If you can share the voting link and get just one other person to vote, you will also get a bonus vote. If you're a Chase cardholder--even better! You get 2 extra votes!

Thank you for your help from Mad About Pets, Beth Randall, and the hundreds of exotic pets saved by Critter Camp every year!

Photo left: Stephanie Sherlund

Comedy and cats--two of Mad About Pets favorite things, together at last! Madison's Cat Care Clinic is celebrating their 25th anniversary with a comedy extravaganza, all to benefit the friendly felines of Dane County Humane Society. "Stand-Up for Cats" is an all-ages comedy show going on Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the High Noon Saloon in Madison and featuring some of the area's best comedians. Event organizer and Madison's best female comedian Stephanie Sherlund was kind enough to give Mad About Pets an exclusive interview about this great event:


What kind of comedy can people expect to see at this event?

The event is for kids of all ages. While most comedy events tend to steer toward an adult audience, this event is going to be light-hearted, goofy and clean. We have also for our anniversary been working events at the DCHS such as Catapalooza and Kids Extravaganza!

Can you tell us a little about the performers at Stand-Up for Cats?

I hand selected each comedian performing at the event; we are all great friends and mesh really well as comedians and friends. I chose comedians I believe would work well for a family-friendly audience and of course my fellow feline lovers! Alan Talaga is a local talk-show host who holds The Dan Potacke Show monthly at The Frequency and is also a co-writer for Off the Square comic strip featured in The Isthmus. He jumped at the chance to be involved with anything cat-related. Ryan Casey originates from Richmond, Virginia but has been gracing the Madison comedy scene for the past couple of years and we’re glad to have him—he came in third at Madison’s Funniest Comic 2012! Adam Waldron is not only the artist who came up with our wonderful flier idea-- he is also a long-standing Midwest comedian with a child-like spirit that kids and adults alike can relate to. Aaron Quinn is a Madison Comedy native, though he hasn’t been on stage for a couple years; he is making his triumphant and much anticipated return to help us “Stand Up for Cats”. Nate Bjork, the event headliner, is not only a great comedian, but the proud father of two wonderful kitties—his humor is goofy and fun for the whole audience!


Besides comedy, are there other activities at the fundraiser?

We will be doing the stand-up event, of course, and between comedians we will be giving away our raffle prizes. Tickets for our raffle tickets will be $4 a piece or 3 for $10, 6 for $20. We have various prizes to be given away and the guests will get to decide what they opt in to win. Our prizes have been donated by local businesses and vary from hotel stays to Ale Asylum beer/t-shirt, Food Fight gift certificates, Avid Microchips for your kitty, Milio's gift certificates, gift baskets with many cat related prizes and many more great donations! Cat Care Clinic will be giving away TWO Adult Wellness Packages which include an exam, bloodwork, urinalysis and 6-month supply of Revolution parasite preventative! We will also donate a behavioral consultation with the founder of the Cat Care Clinic, world renowned feline behavior specialist, Dr. Ilona Rodan!

In addition to our great prizes given between comics you can also get a drink at the bar at our venue, High Noon Saloon, which so graciously donated the space for our event and we will have some desserts out for our guests!

How will the proceeds from Stand-Up for Cats be used?

Unlike a generic donation to the Dane County Humane Society, all of our proceeds go to benefit DCHS’s Feline Friends division. We have been fortunate to have every aspect of our event donated either by local businesses or Cat Care Clinic itself, meaning every single raffle ticket price will go to the kitties at the shelter. Feline Friends donations go to pay for all the food, litter, bedding, medical supplies, vaccinations, microchips, toys, etc.


Check out the Stand-Up for Cats event on Facebook for more information! Hope to see you there :)

Here is a way to help DCHS that Mad About Pets just learned about today...Community Change! Community Change is a website that offers discounted gift cards for local restaurants, stores, etc. like Wando's, The Brink Lounge, Benvenuto's, Claddagh Irish Pub, and tons more. When you buy a discounted gift card through Community Change, DCHS (or several other charities, if you prefer) will get 20% of the purchase price donated to them.


Click the image to check out Community Change's gift card deals!

 Next time you're looking to buy a gift, consider purchasing a gift card through Community Change and help homeless animals in Dane County! Heck, why not just treat yourself to a gift card at a local spa? :)

From DCHS:

A New Program to “Help Keep Pets in Their Homes”

Click to donate!

Hard economic times may result in tough choices regarding family pets for households struggling to stretch their limited resources. Families faced with the choice of purchasing pet food or providing for their family’s needs may have to make the heartbreaking decision to give up their pet. At a time when unconditional love from a pet is needed the most, some families need to make this tragic decision. Pets may be given to relatives or friends, surrendered to Dane County Humane Society or, sadly in some cases, abandoned.

To help families keep their pets at home, Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) is partnering with Community Action Coalition for South Central WI, Inc. (CAC) to supply pet food and cat litter to participating Dane County food pantries. CAC will facilitate the delivery and pickup of donation barrels with businesses participating in pet food drives. DCHS, acting as the county pet food bank administrator, will coordinate pet food drives, solicit business and private contributions, warehouse the donations and deliver them to food pantries with the aid of DCHS volunteers.

How Can You Help?

1. Donate pet food (dry or canned) or cat litter (clumping or clay) - bags 10 pounds or less to participating businesses between December 12 and 18. Click here to see a list of participating businesses. Click here to download a list of participating businesses.

2. Host a drive to collect pet food and cat litter in your business, school or organization. Contact DCHS for details.

3. Make a monetary donation to DCHS for food pantry food and litter. Checks should be made out to Dane County Humane Society, and include instructions to apply your donation to the “Help Keep Pets in Their Home” program. You can also donate online (include "Help Keep Pets in Their Homes" in the comment box).

What is our Goal?

With your help Dane County Humane Society and Community Action Coalition for South Central WI, Inc. want to support struggling families and prevent them from making the terrible decision to give up a loving pet when the family is faced with severely limited resources. Your donations will decrease the number of pets separated from their families - where their love, loyalty and enthusiasm for life are needed the most.

For More Information:

Contact: Patty Zehl, Volunteer Coordinator with Dane County Humane Society

Mail monetary donations to:

Attention: Patty Zehl
Dane County Humane Society
5132 Voges Road
Madison, WI 53718

Dane County Humane Society's (DCHS) Animal Medical Services (AMS) provides outstanding medical attention and care to all of the homeless animals that come through their doors. Occasionally, an animal needs special care, and DCHS is there for them! A small, female Maltese mix, now named Sheba, arrived as a stray at DCHS at the end of September. Sheba was severely matted and was exhibiting strange behaviors that were very worrisome to the shelter medical and care staff.

Upon observation, DCHS’s Animal Medical Services thought that Sheba’s behavior, coupled with her high white blood cell count and the fact that she was an intact female, may be because of a medical condition, pyometra (infected uterus), which is treated by a spay surgery. Sheba received the much-needed surgery, but struggled with recovery and had the staff worried about her well-being. She slowly improved, but continued to exude behaviors that were concerning.

After several blood tests, the shelter veterinarians suspected that she had a congenital liver problem. They decided to send Sheba to the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, where their suspicions were confirmed with a CT scan. Sheba was diagnosed with an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt, which is amenable to surgical correction. The shunt is producing a buildup of toxic ammonia in her blood thus causing the behavioral changes, urinary problems, and general malaise. Sheba also has kidney stones that will hopefully dissolve with the help of a specific diet and surgical repair. Surgery will be scheduled as soon as possible, but in the meantime Sheba is on several medications to help her feel better. DCHS hopes to give Sheba the chance to be a happy, healthy dog in a loving home, but they need your help!

Sheba needs your help!

To make a contribution:

Select "Donate to: Help Me Heal" when donating online. You can also mail or drop off your donation at Dane County Humane Society's main shelter (5132 Voges Road, Madison WI 53718). When donating online, please state “Sheba Surgery” in the comment section.

Please help DCHS continue to help animals like Sheba heal. DCHS depends on your kindhearted donations to make miracles happen.

Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary cares for unadoptable, abandoned and abused small pets other than cats and dogs. Currently we care for over 300 pets of 36 different species. Critter Camp is the only such licensed non-profit volunteer-operated sanctuary in the entire country. We are located in northern Illinois, but accept animals from as far away as Texas and Florida. We also offer hands-on educational tours where folks get to meet the animals we care for, and we provide public awareness and educational presentations.



Tell us a little about your animals. Which are the most unique? Which are the most challenging?

Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary has saved the lives of thousands of unadoptable pets: elderly, aggressive rabbits, ferrets with adrenal disease and insulinoma, hedgehogs with tumors, birds that bite, mice, rats, hamsters, fennec foxes- you name it – we've saved it!



Most were going to be euthanized, some were found in trash cans and dumpsters!

The kinkajous are the most unique; they have both mauled people and are considered dangerous. Kinks are very cute when they are small, but they often turn mean out of the blue and can do major damage such as tearing an ear off of a person. The fennec foxes are also unique. They are not as dangerous but they are a challenge. They need to be free range roaming about but they are not potty trainable, so there is always a mess. Plus they get into things, so we have to basically baby-proof everything.



Where do the animals at Critter Camp come from?

The animals come to us mostly from shelters where they are going to be euthanized because they are unadoptable due to aggression, old age or chronic illness. Some have come to us from law enforcement, such as the rabbits and guinea pigs that were to be used as bait in a dog fighting ring.



How would winning the Pepsi Refresh challenge help Critter Camp?

Critter Camp relies on donations to care for the animals and, as with many non-profits, the economy has caused a decrease in donations. Fundraising takes a lot of time that could be better spent caring for more animals. Critter Camp is also at capacity for most of the animals we care for and we have plans to expand to a larger facility. Winning the contest would mean that the care of the animals would be funded for a year and we would also have money to buy the land to begin the expansion project. Basically it would mean that Critter camp could save the lives of thousands more pets!

How can readers vote, and when does the contest end?

The entry is here: http://www.refresheverything.com/helpcrittercamp

People can vote once a day, every day until the end of June 2011 August 2011. We only need to be in the top 10 to win $50,000, and we are at #32 right now.

People can vote by signing in with email or their Facebook account, or just by texting their vote:

Text 108022 to Pepsi (73774) to vote from your cell (there is no additional charge for this text other than what they would normally pay for a text.)

Right now the most important thing is to use or send us the Power Vote codes on Pepsi products! They can send the codes to info@crittercamp.biz These are vital to our winning!

The codes are on Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Pepsi Maxx yellow bottle caps ( 20 oz and 2 L) and inside 12 and 24 pack boxes. These can multiply your votes up to 100x!

We'd like to also invite folks to stop by our website www.crittercamp.org and sign up for our free email newsletter - the sign up box is there on the home page, and to "like" us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/crittercamp 

If we all work together we can save the lives of so many truly "thrown away" animals and give them a healthy, happy, safe place to live out the rest of their lives.

Stop by any Mounds Pet Food Warehouse location this December 2010 and contribute to the wish list for the Dane County Humane Society. Buy any item on the wish list and Mounds will deliver it to yet-to-be adopted pets this holiday.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE DCHS WISH LIST

From DCHS:

Join Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) in our 2011 "Make Your Pet a Pin-up" calendar photo contest! Not only will your pet be guaranteed a place in the limelight - but also your entry donation will support thousands of homeless animals that are still waiting for their own time to shine.

Calling all procrastinators!

The submission deadline has been extended to July 25, 2010!

Now through July 25, 2010 we are accepting photos that will be eligible to win a spot in our calendar. We will also be opening voting NEXT WEEK for our Fan Favorites! And remember, EVERY photo gets a spot in the calendar.

Grand Prize - one lucky pet will grace the cover of the 2011 calendar and receive three complimentary calendars to distribute to their adoring fans.

First Place - eight lucky winners will have their photo featured as the "Pet of the Month" and will also receive a free calendar.

Fan Favorites - four lucky companions will be chosen as featured seasonal representatives through online voting being held July - August and will also receive a free calendar.

Runners-up - at least 60 pets will have their pics featured in smaller photos within the calendar portion of each month's page.

Best Friends' Collage - ALL entries will be featured in separate collage pages within the calendar.

A $20 entry donation fee per photo is requested. Every entrant that gives $20 will also receive a free calendar! All proceeds go directly to the homeless animals in our care. All entries will be blind judged by DCHS staff.

For more information, click here.

From City Hall Pets Gifts:

All money raised will be given to Greyhound Pets of America, Wisconsin. Visit their website at www.gpawisconsin.org and come meet them in person at the dog wash.

Plus save money with 20% off all spa products (shampoos, towels, nail-clippers and much more) this Saturday only.

Help us make a difference - bring you dog by Saturday for a summer bath!

CH Pet Gifts
100 East Main Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
(608) 318-2000
http://www.cityhallpetgifts.com/
http://www.chpetgifts.com/

Do you or someone you know love to golf? If so, you have the perfect opportunity to enjoy the links and help out the Dane County K9 Unit all at the same time...Putting for Pooches!

100% of the money raised at this event will go to benefit the Dane County K9 Unit, and will assist them to purchase new dogs, train and maintain dogs, and keep the program running strong! The Dane County K9 Unit, Inc. is a not-for-profit public charity (501c3) dedicated to providing for the current and long-term funding needs of the Dane County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit.

The Putting for Pooches registration fee includes 18 holes of golf (with a cart), a K9 polo shirt, a box lunch and a pig roast dinner.

What: “Putting for Pooches” Golf Outing

When: Saturday, June 26, 2010 – Registration at 9:00 a.m.

Where: Tumbledown Trails Golf Course (7701 W. Mineral Point Road , Verona, WI)

For more information or to register, click here.

(The above photo is Deputy Tony Enger and his K9 partner Milo. They assist in locating missing/lost persons, cadaver searches, and underwater body recovery.)

From the Dane Co Humane Society:

The Four Lakes Wildlife Center annual garage sale fundraiser will be held the weekend of April 23rd – April 25th.

Want to get rid of your unwanted items and save lives at the same time? Save your items and donate them to Dane County Humane Society's very own Four Lakes Wildlife Center's garage sale fundraiser.
We would appreciate your donation of any gently used items with the exception of large appliances and CRT computer monitors. We gratefully take donations of:

*tools
*sporting goods
*housewares
*pet supplies
*antiques
*electronics in working condition
*gardening supplies
*books
*music
*movies
*clothing in very good condition
*….and more.

Donation collection will begin on March 1st. Please drop your items off at Dane County Humane Society - 5132 Voges Road, Madison during shelter open hours. Your generous in-kind donations are tax deductible and a receipt can be provided for you when you drop your items off.

All proceeds from the sale benefit the more than 1000 wild birds, mammals and reptiles the center cares for each year. Thank you for your support!

Looking for something fun and different to do with your sweety or your best friends this Valentine's Day? Then come out and support the Mad Rollin' Dolls, Madison's very own female roller derby league, while they raise money to benefit the Dane County Humane Society! Mad About Pets is happy to bring you this exclusive interview with MRD skater Allie Gator:

So who are the Mad Rollin’ Dolls?

The Mad Rollin Dolls are one of the original leagues that started up in 2004 with the modern resurgence of roller derby. Roller Derby has come a long way from the staged fights of the 60s, everything is real. It is now a full-fledged sport that boasts over 400 leagues in the nation and there are leagues all over the world.

MRD has four home teams: The Quad Squad, The Reservoir Dolls, The Unholy Rollers and the Vaudeville Vixens. We also have two travel teams, The Dairyland Dolls and Team Unicorn, that are made up of members from all four home teams.

You can find a handy-dancy video explaining the rules here. Want to learn more about the game, the gear, read the rules for yourself and more? Visit the Mad Rollin Doll’s page or the WFTDA page, that’s short for the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association.

What kinds of people would you find at a derby bout?

You could find anyone at a bout. We have skaters who are mothers, law students, chemists, government workers, yoga instructors… you name it, there’s probably a derby girl out there somewhere who does it.

The same goes for fans. We pride ourselves on having an open and welcoming environment at our bouts. Sit down at a bout and on your left you may have a family with their kids and on your right you could have a group of college students.

(Photo left: Allie Gator with her Siamese cat Aku)
 
I see that the February 14th bout is going to benefit the Dane County Humane Society. Can you tell me a little about MRD’s charitable giving?
 
One of MRD’s original goals is to give back to the community. We take part in fundraisers like the Polar Plunge (Visit our team page and donate!), volunteer our time at local events and we also donate a portion of our ticket sales to local charities. Proceeds from our upcoming bout on Sunday Feb 14th will be going to the Dane County Humane Society. Being an animal lover and pet owner I’ve really appreciated all the useful information the DCHS website has and the services they provide to the community.
 
Where are tickets available?
 
Ticket for the Sunday, Valentine’s Day Bout are available for purchase ahead of time online and also at some of our lovely local sponsors (Capitol City Tattoo, Cha Cha Barber and Beauty, Freedom Skate Shop, High Noon Saloon, Hoi Polloi, Lakeside Press). You can also buy tickets at the door. Kids age 4-10 are half price, under 4? Free! Want to bring a group? We’re totally into group ticket sales, just look for the link on our site.

Doors Open at 12/noon, Action starts at 1pm. You totally have time for a lovely Valentine’s Day brunch before the bout or a romantic dinner afterwards. No Valentine’s Day plans after the bout? Come to the after party just down the road at the Badger Bowl and hang with the skaters!

(Photo right: Allie Gator with her Siamese cat Orval)

From City Hall Pet Gifts in Sun Prairie:

Did you know.........

*The K-9 Unit doesn't receive a single cent of tax payer's money?

*Deputies often have to pay for expenses associated with a police K-9 out of their own pocket?

*A police dog cost anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 (not including training)?

*The K-9 Unit rely 100% on donations from businesses and private parties?

Please participate in City Hall Pet Gifts' fundraiser to support our hometown heroes by purchasing a children's book written by local author Kate Stormer. Hard-cover books are $10 and $3 from every book sale will be donated to the K-9 Unit. Or make a donation of $2 or more and get a FREE paper-back "Rescue of Little Red". All of Kate's books deliver's an educational message such as what to do if you get approached by a stranger. The fundraiser runs thru February 20, 2010. Make a donation in-store (100 W Main St, Sun Prairie WI 53590) or purchase books online or in-store.

Click here for more information on Kate's books.

Click here for more information on the Dane County K-9 Unit.

From Angel's Wish:

The Angel's Wish annual online auction is coming soon! The auction will run from June 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010.

The Angel's Wish annual online auction will help Angel's Wish reduce animal overpopulation, rehome companion animals, and raise awareness of animal welfare issues in South Central Wisconsin.

Your generous support will allow us to continue care for homeless companion animals, giving them the opportunity to grow, heal, learn to trust and find lifelong, loving homes.

So, tell your friends, family, community to help support homeless animals. Get everyone in on the auction action!

We are early in the process of obtaining quality items to add to our auction catalog. If you have anything you would like to donate, such as handcrafted items, rare collectibles, or prized personal or business services, now is the time to make your contribution. Click here to donate an item or for more information.

Businesses, this is a great way to get publicity! Your item will be seen by thousands of people. For even more exposure, ask us about sponsoring the auction.

Click here to check out the auction webpage!

From the Dane County Humane Society:

It’s time to help our Kibble on Wheels friends!

During these challenging economic times, Independent Living, Inc. wants to assist as many low-income, frail, older and disabled adults and their companion animals as possible. We’ve learned the items listed below are what they most need and want. Our Kibble on Wheels program was begun to reduce food sharing between older adults and their companion animals. Season of Suppers, sponsored by Banfield Pet Hospitals, has allowed us to expand the program and with your help, we can provide a variety of items and supplies to make life happier for older adults and their animal friends.

Our clients have expressed the need for the following items:

*Canned Dog and Cat food
*Cat Litter
*Toys
*Treats
*Rabbit and Gerbil food
*Bird food
 
Items can be dropped off at:

*Either Banfield Pet Hospital (located inside PetSmart) at 2216 E. Springs Drive, Madison WI or 8210
  Plaza Dr, Madison WI
*Independent Living at 815 Forward Drive, Madison WI M-F 8:00am to 4:30pm
 
This is a great activity to get friends, family and other pet lovers together and hold a collection drive. For more details, contact us at (608) 274-7900 or volunteer@indepenliving.com.

Kibble on Wheels is made possible by Independent Living’s partnerships with Mounds Pet Food Warehouse, Dane County Humane Society and Banfield Pet Hospitals.

Independent Living Inc. is a non-profit, multi-service agency that assists people with disabilities and older adults, enabling them to live with dignity and independence while maintaining health and well-being.

Do your kids love to bowl? Does your family want a fun way to support the Dane County Humane Society? Then sign your children up (age 7 and older) for the Pins for Pets fundraiser being held at multiple Badgerland Bowling Centers throughout Dane County on December 6! Just collect a minimum of $50.00 in sponsorships from friends and family and receive:

-3 games of bowling
-Pizza and beverages
-a chance to win great prizes!

Those with the three highest sponsorships at each location and the top bowlers in each age group will win prizes! The kid who raises the most overall money in sponsorships will win a Nintendo Wii. All proceeds go directly to helping the many homeless animals at Dane County Humane Society. The event will take place from 12:00pm-3:00pm.

Registration is due Monday, November 23, 2009  Tuesday, December 1, 2009 so make sure you sign up ASAP! To register contact Cory Neeley at 608) 838-0413 ext. 118 or cneeley@giveshelter.org .

Click here for more information, to download a pledge sheet, and for participating bowling centers.