The bridge that brings them forever home

COMPANION TH

E Summer 2014

Almost Home Animal Shelter

5060 Lincoln Street

Quinnesec, Michigan 49876

906-774-1005

almosthome@uplogon.com

AlmostHomeAnimalShelterMi.com

Hours of Operations

Monday Closed

Tuesday-Friday 1-5 PM

Saturday & Sunday Noon-4 PM

Major Holidays Closed

Board of Directors

Mike Werner President

Betsy Hardacre Vice President

Nancy Schaub Secretary

Bill Hardacre Treasurer

Gilbert Engel

Patti Forgette

Patti Peterson

Nilar Shein

Mary Stolze

Executive Director Adrien Brzoznowski almosthomeadrien@uplogon.com Shelter Manager Diane Luczak almosthome@uplogon.com

Volunteer Coordinator Joan Recla almosthomejoan@uplogon.com

Dickinson County Animal Control 906-774-6262

Almost Home Animal Shelter Newsletter

CATastrophe The hard reality for cats

Over the years, many people have visited the animal shelter and rarely noticed an empty cat cage. This is not solely due to a trend in adoption rates but more so the large number of unwanted owned/cared for cats. It is safe to say that in this lifetime, there will never be a shortage of cats need-

ing to find forever homes.

In a recent report, the ASPCA stated that of the approximately 7.6 million companion animals that enter animal shelters each year, 3.4 million are cats. In 2013, Almost Home Animal Shelter cared for 666 fe-

lines, 66% of all animals.

228 felines were Dickinson County strays

410 were owner surrenders including out of country strays

28 kittens were born in-house to stray cats

The main contributor to the shelter’s cat over population is owned cats coming in as strays that are never reclaimed. Almost Home staff can determine, with a degree of certainty, if a cat has been cared for based on its physical condition and behavior.

These are not feral cats! Some even come in with collars on…

Even though more than half of the cats are surrendered, only 6% (15 cats) of all stray cats were reclaimed by their owners last year. This is compared to the 83% of stray dogs redeemed in 2013. Almost Home is not alone, according to the Humane

Society of the United States, 95-98% of all cats are never reclaimed by owners.

There would be a noticeable improvement to the number of strays if pet owners would kept their cats indoors. As hu-mans, we have domesticated (taken away their natural in-stincts) felines and are now responsible to help them meet their needs. Until the day that Almost Home has all empty cat cages, we will continue to find them each their forever

home!

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Almost Home Animal Shelter (AHAS) is a 501(c)(3) charitable not-for-profit organization under direct leadership of a Board of Di-rectors. The Companion is published 3 times a year. Comments and in-quiries should be addressed to Adrien Brzoznowski, Executive Director. Moving? Send your change of ad-dress or to be added to our mailing list to: Almost Home Animal Shelter Mailing List, 5060 Lincoln St., Quin-nesec, MI 49876 or email it to almosthome@uplogon.com subject newsletter mailing list.

Look for Us Online AmostHomeAnimalShelterMi.com

Generously provided by JRWEBWORKS-Paul and Cherryl

Mencinger Facebook.com Almost Home Animal Shelter Print The Daily News 2nd & 4th Friday The Advertiser One Tuesday a month Radio Tail Waggin’ Wednesdays The Mountain 106.7 Wednesday at 8:35 AM TV Adopt-A-Pet Upper Michigan Source WLUC TV6 Morning Show

Over the coarse of the last two years, staff and volunteers have heard the facil-

ity be identified as “Oh, the building up on the hill by the light” along with

many others. So you can only image how happy we are to have signage. Our

main objective is the care of the animals and their adoptions into forever

homes so this project, along with others, where wait-listed.

Almost Home was able to fund this project without using any donations or

monies from general operations. Almost Home Animal Shelter was awarded a

$5,000 grant from Two Seven Oh, Inc. Last month, Xcell Graphix of Florence

designed and installed 3 signs on the grounds, 1 along the side of the building

and 1 on the main door entrance.

In addition, Almost Home has also adopted the

stretch of highway that runs from the light at the US

2/HWY 141 junc-

tion to the Wiscon-

sin border running

in front of our

building. Again, if

you have yet to

visit our new facil-

ity don’t hesitate to

stop by for a tour!

Signs Signs,

Everywhere a

Sign...

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NEW Event

Saturday, October 25

5-9 PM

Recreation Lanes-Antoine Room

Iron Mountain

Evening of food, drink, re-verse raffle, silent auction, door prizes, and FUN to support the work of Al-

most Home Animal Shel-ter.

Be on the lookout for de-tails including ticket sales on Facebook, via email,

newspaper and radio

SAVE THE DATE

A Cause for

Paws

A Caring Community

There are so many individuals and business, too many to mention but not unappreciated, that support the organization throughout the year. Recently, there were two fundraiser events that together raised more than $4,000 for Almost Home Animal Shelter. Time and time again, we are overwhelmed by the support of our com-munity.

Dr. John Nowicki and staff, Nowicki Chiropractic and Well-ness, held their 4th Annual Spring into Health with Our Al-most Home Animal Shelter event from May 5-16. During the two weeks, monetary and supply do-nations were collected. Almost Home received a truck full of supplies and $1,325 to support

our work for lost, abandoned and abused animals. Thank you!

It is wonderful to have business give back but something even greater is the youth of a community doing the same. In the sum-mer, youth come in with money they raised from lemonade stands and throughout the year others asked their birthday party guests to bring donated items for the animal shelter instead of a gift for them! During the end of the school year, elementary students from Norway Vulcan, East and North Iron Mountain joined forces to raise money for the shelter as part of Pennies for Pets. Nearly 700 students raised $2,5117.96! Thank you!

Again, we can not thank our caring community enough for the continued support through the years. We look forward to many more years of service and working with you along the way.

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2014 Volunteer

Welcome Introduction Schedule

Mondays at 9:30 AM held in the

Almost Home Conference Room

August 18

September 15

October 13

November 10

December 8

If you are unable to attend these dates or want to learn more about

our volunteer program, please contact Joan Recla, Volunteer Coor-

dinator, to schedule an appointment at almosthome-

joan@uplogon.com or 774-1005.

Call today to RSVP!

August 23 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic

Cowboy Lake-Kingsford Noon-3 PM

RSVP by August 18

August 31 Fun Dog Show

Dickinson County Fair-Norway

11 AM-Registration 1 PM-Show

September 27 Highway Clean Up

Almost Home Animal Shelter 9 AM

RSVP by September 19

October 5 Blessing of the Animals

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church-Iron Mountain

1 PM

October 25 A Cause for Paws Recreation Lanes-

Iron Mountain 5-9 PM

Thank you to all those involved in our participa-tion in the Iron Mountain 4th of July Parade.

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Memorials Muffie by Karen Cox

Princess & Meesha by Kitty Brozak

My first dog Smokey, when I actually ran free – no

leash laws – with a pack of dogs in the 40’s

by Judy Johnson

My beloved pets by Donna McHugh

Cocoa, who was a shelter dog who lived 14 good years

with us. I miss him lots by Arlene Mielke

My beloved dog, Ella by Suzanne Pitts

Chris Edlund & Karen Barquist by Bruce Stuart

Max & Casey by Dave & Dawn Turrie

Liz Greenway by Kenneth Vivio

Sugar by Eunice Young

All my feline friends by Susan Mindock

Mittens by Robert Peters

Jack, a buddy for many years by Tom Pascoe

Carla (26 year old horse) May she find green Pastures

by Sandy Zahn

Lady Jane by Laura Aman

Skyler by Kathleen Corrigan

Maggie – adopted from the shelter 20 years ago

by Phyllis Carlson

Scoopy – our English Setter by Wilford & Barbara Hill

KiKi by Shari Hare

Our Silky Terrier, Misty Blue by Bill & Karen Burgess

All of my pets by Alice Lemieux

Zoe & Thor by Mike & Judy Pretschold

Dickens, Tiger, Muffin by Dorothy Peterson

Penney, my loveable 14yrs.10mos. Yorkie

by Judy Johnson

Houdini & Maddie by John Gaudette

Tara by Marty & Darlene Brezinski

Jake, gone too soon, a loving dog and faithful friend

by Jody Wall

My precious cat Malibu, by Gina Elliott

Sadie & Willie, by Else Melin

Papa Paul Gingrass and Maize

by Abram & Aurelia Gingrass

Dooley, by Robert & Mary Furno

Rudy, by Kenneth & Terry Sovey

Muffin, Amber, Katie, and Happy, by Josie DeGrave

Joyce (Ladybug) Groleau, by Joe Groleau

Pretzel & Buddy, by Larry and Maria Kempany

Emmy, my wonderful companion cat of 17 yrs,

by Violet Schettler

America's Best Inn

Auto Tech Center

Badger Auto Repair

Barb's Café

Bergeron Motors

Bergman Insurance

Borchardt Auctions

Bow Wow Wow

Carey Logging Excavating

Trucking Biomass

Carlson, Carol Pet Training

City Sales

Country Inn & Suites

CSI Credit Services

Days Inn

DCH Systems/Local Care

DCH System/Women's Wellness

Dickinson Imaging

Dickinson Neurology Associates

Donaldson Duct Cleaning

E bar D Equi-Center

Edward D. Jones - Mike Kulie

ERA Chevrolet

Evergreen Village

Fleury Singler & Co

Florence Hardwoods

FNB-Iron Mountain

Ford Airport

Fredrick's Floral

Getzloff's Corn Maze

Go Green Enterprises

Grede

Hanchek's Animal Care

Heart to Heart Pet Salon

Hoegh Pet Casket Co.

Holiday Kitchen

Iron Mountain Animal Hospital

Jacobs Funeral Home

Jacobson Heating & Air Conditioning

Jay's Auto Service

Jerry & Marci Picucci

Jim & Louanne Batti

Joyce Berg Agency

Juniper State Wide

Kaad Family Dentistry

Karen's Studio

LaChapelle Insurance Service, Inc.

LaFaive Oil

Leeds Real Estate/

Linda Plumley

Lifefit

Lofholm's Building Center

Long Branch Saloon

Maple Leaf Kennel, Inc

Mark's Auto Detailing

Service

Mark's Auto Sales

Meineke

Midas

Minerick Logging, Inc.

Miracle Ear

Northern R.V. Center

Thank you to our Sponsors

Cans for Critters We continue to collect recyclable aluminum

cans (beer and pop) along with all return-

able containers for deposit (aluminum,

glass and plastic). Bags can be dropped

off on the pallets located on the lower

level of Almost Home. Thank you!

Please keep the containers pouring in.

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Honorariums Tuffy by Karen Cox

Kobe & Tabby by Jim & LuAnne Batti

Casey Ann our Golden Retriever by Joe Panis

Sophie by Judy & Steven Weiss

The Caregivers by Laverne Baril Solda

Mr. Lucky, my pound puppy & best friend

by Nancy Bouche

Maundy, the Iron Cat & Jake, the Wonder Dog

by Robert Foster

For the love and companionship of all dogs and cats

by Kathy Povolo

Wizard the Black Cat by Kathy Varda

Chloe, Toby & Gidget by Nora Weinfurter

Tootsie & Rico by Susan Mindock

Our Maltese, Hailey Kate by Bill & Karen Burgess

All of my pets by Alice Lemieux

All of our cat friends – Sophie, True Bell, Violet, Bigger &

Katie by Mark Ellingson & Jo Dulan

All Caregivers and Volunteers by Gertrude Koller

Flea and Fang by Betty Colavecchi

Quartz by Paul Anderson

Addison Reese, by Else Melin

Sophie Sue, Buddy Boy, and Zoe, by Carolyn Giancola

Cocoa our smart Papillion (what a dog!)

by Josie DeGrave

Abbie & Brandi, by Larry and Maria Kempany

Sammy, my other wonderful companion of 16 yrs.,

by Violet Schettler

Thank you to our Sponsors America's Best Inn

Auto Tech Center

Badger Auto Repair

Barb's Café

Bergeron Motors

Bergman Insurance

Borchardt Auctions

Bow Wow Wow

Carey Logging Excavating

Trucking Biomass

Carlson, Carol Pet Training

City Sales

Country Inn & Suites

CSI Credit Services

Days Inn

DCH Systems/Local Care

DCH System/Women's Wellness

LaFaive Oil

Leeds Real Estate/

Linda Plumley

Lifefit

Lofholm's Building Center

Long Branch Saloon

Maple Leaf Kennel, Inc

Mark's Auto Detailing

Service

Mark's Auto Sales

Meineke

Midas

Minerick Logging, Inc.

Miracle Ear

Northern R.V. Center

Northwoods Auto & Truck Repair

Northwoods Mfg.

Northwoods Wilderness Outfitters

Norway Community Credit Union

Norway Senior Center

Nu-Way Body Shop

Orbit Techonolgy

Pasty Oven

Paws & Claws Pet Grooming

Pet Supplies Plus

Photos by Derrick

Pine Mountain Sport Shop

Pro-Klean, Inc

Randy Hallman Specialty Cars

Ray's Feed Mill

Russel, Gypsy, Molly & Stuart

Hardacre

Sagola Hardwood, LTD.

Schneider's Iron & Metal

Shear Happiness

Specialty Granules Inc

Spectacular Car Care

State Farm Insurance/Chris Hanley

Step Ahead

Stephens Real Estate/Betsy Sawicky

Stephens Real Estate/Linda Plumley

Stephens Real Estate/Monica Maule

Stephens Real Estate/Sally Blom

Superior Land Elder Care

Superior Realty/Connie Sutton

Superior Realty/Greta Michaud

Tadych's EconoFoods

Tara's Grooming Station

The Cleaning Specialist, Inc.

The Nelson Paint Company

Thru The Garden Gate

Tim & Lynn's Country Pet Care

Timber Products

Total Car Care

UP Logon

UP Truck Center

Upper Peninsula Insurance

Upper Peninsula State

Bank

Wal-Mart

Way Dam Resort

Whispering Pines Outpost

Wild Rivers Realty

Wildwood Restaurant

Wilson's Auto Collision

If your business was missed, we apologize.

Please contact us so that we may add you for our next newsletter.

WANTED EconoFoods &

Super One Receipts

Please continue to drop off your receipts. Almost Home receives a 1% donation of receipt totals.

Thank you!

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5060 Lincoln Street

Quinnesec, Michigan

49876

Our newsletter provided

through the generosity of

The Form House/

Standard Printing

NON PROFIT ORG.

US POSTAGE PAID

Iron Mountain, MI

Permit No. 237

Return Service Requested

In addition to the en-closed self-addressed

envelop for contributions to the animal shelter,

you can donate online all year round through

PayPal.

Visit our website at www.AlmostHomeAnimalShelterMi.com and click

Donate.

Thank you

for your continued

support of the

Almost Home

Animal Shelter.

PROFESSIONALS NEEDED To Volunteer their expertise in…

•Marketing •Planning •Photography

•Website •Graphics •Writing

•Grants •Videography •Construction

We only need 2 hours a month of your time.

Please Contact Us

With your name, phone number, email and

area you are interested in, so we can include

you in our brainstorming meeting.

Thanks so much for your support!

The bridge that brings them forever home