Please note that we now have a new mailing address: Washburn Co. Area Humane Society, PO Box 328, Spooner, WI 54801
Latest Update as of 7/29/17 Over the last several months since the fire in March, many eye-opening lessons have been learned, the most important one being about the kindness and generosity which has been shown through wonderful response from the community. The downside of our lessons has been the frustration of trying to make a good decision on rebuilding due to the many procedures needing to be followed as a result of the fire and the insurance process. Thanks to the loyal and capable shelter employees who are willing to work on a minimal basis, a limited shelter situation has been set up and is being maintained. The employees had been cleaning up and using the outside kennels at the burned building and are now setting up a temporary facility. They have been grooming and caring for incoming strays, fostering incoming animals at times themselves while attempting to find their homes, maintaining a reliable shelter phone service to the public and, if needed, after all proper procedures have been followed, transporting animals to the Northwoods Humane Society in Hayward since the fire. Land options have been looked at, existing buildings to renovate have been considered, shelter and building designers have been contacted, meetings with City of Spooner individuals and City Council meetings have been attended, options for staying with the existing burned area have been discussed, financial institutions have been contacted if additional funding is necessary, involvement in fundraisers, and attempting to locate a better temporary shelter are what the Board members have been doing. By checking into all the necessary procedures, options, and realities of this rebuilding project, it has taken time. So, for those of you reading this website who wonder what is going on, this is what the Board and the employees have been doing. At this time, because of the limited operation of the temporary facility, there are no specific shelter hours, so please call the shelter phone number, 715-635-4720, with any animal questions or concerns. The Spooner Police Department who have been very helpful throughout this last several months may also be contacted. Thank you to all who have donated or are planning to donate to the WCAHS Fire Fund. There will be a shelter, and, from reading above, you now understand why it has been difficult and been taking time to finalize the plan. Checks and cash donations are still be collected at the Spooner Vet Office, a check may be sent through the mail addressed to Washburn Co. Area Humane Society, PO Box 328, Spooner, WI 54801, or another option would be a donation on our Donate page on this website. Adoptable PetsThere will not be pets available at our location until further notice, but please click on the Petfinder logo below to view available pets in nearby shelters.
THANKS TO ALL WHO VISITED OUR TABLE AT THE COUNTY FAIR!
We enjoyed talking with you and appreciate all who donated to our building fund by partaking of delicious baked goods, buying raffle tickets, or putting money in our donation bucket. Thanks to all of our volunteers, too, who braved the heat! Shown below are Phyllis, Shawn & Alecia, and Connor & Matty Dorn.
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Upcoming Events
August 19--Critter Benefit at Snag's Bar in Spooner 
The 5th Annual Critter Benefit for Washburn County Area Humane Society will be held Saturday, August 19, beginning at Noon, at Snag's Sports Bar in Spooner, located across from Kwik Trip.
A brat/burger lunch will be served from 12 to 3 PM that day and all day long until 5 PM there will be various raffles, including a meat raffle, games, giveaways, and a silent auction going on. The lucky prize winners will be announced at the end of the benefit. The proceeds for this benefit will go to the WCAHS Fire Fund. The gratitude to thoughtful, generous individuals and businesses who continue to help support the rebuilding of the animal shelter that was destroyed in March cannot be expressed enough. And, attendance at this event will be greatly appreciated as it is another opportunity to enjoy a happy gathering of good people working together to reach the goal of restoring a much needed and appreciated animal service to the area. SHED FEST 2017
Shed Fest 2017 proved to be a success regardless of the rain and shine weather on Sunday, June 25, at Shell Lake's Potter's Shed. The many musical groups who donated their talent for the benefit of Washburn County Area Humane Society played on and the 200 plus fund raising supporters weathered the ups and downs of the day and evening to generously help add $5,300 to the WCAHS Fire Fund. Judy and Jack White inspired and coordinated this idea with Mike and Rebecca Macone, so Shed Fest 2017 was created. The team of WCAHS board members, employees, and volunteers served food and beverages, gathered the donated prizes from so many generous individuals, and sold an incredible number of raffle tickets. All involved in the 2017 Shed Fest unanimously agreed this event would become an annual fundraiser. The WCAHS website and face book will continue to post upcoming fundraisers and totals of the Fire Fund, which is now two thirds of the way to the goal of $50,000. Updates of the rebuilding decision and any temporary shelter information will also be posted on line or relayed by our supportive area newspapers and radio stations. The public interest is a compliment and reinforcement for those working on this rebuilding project. In memory: Donna LaPorte passed away June 26, 2017 and her family requested that donations be made to charities such as the Washburn County Area Humane Society in lieu of flowers. Thank you to Jody West, Merri Ann Gonzalez, Cynthia Stallings, Dan & Susan Sutton, and Dan & Carol Makosky of C & D Storage for their gifts.
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SECOND ANNUAL HAPPY TRAILS FOR HAPPY TAILS
Saturday, May 6, was a beautiful day for the second annual trail ride at Dugan Run Horse Trails to benefit the Washburn County Area Humane Society. The number of riders is growing each year as 34 horse and rider combinations took part this year with riders coming from as far away as Hastings, Minnesota, and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Prizes were awarded to Bonnie King from Green Bay for driving the farthest, to Jane Malischke who raised the most donations, and to T. J. Edwards for being the oldest rider. New this year was the “cram the crate” contest and raffle, which turned out to be a great success. The supplies collected will be used at the temporary shelter presently being operated along with the opportunity to store these supplies for the rebuilt shelter. Unlike the Kentucky Derby, which was also held on May 6, every horse and rider and person who was part of putting this Happy Trails for Happy Tails fundraiser together were first winners! |
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