S HELTER

SHORTS

F EBRUARY 2015
Rivers & bluffs animal shelter

2015
Coming up
.

Pedaling for Pets

February
5th Membership
Committee Meeting
7th Pet Expo
9th Fundraising
Committee Meeting
12th PR Committee
Meeting
19th General
Monthly Meeting

Inside
This Issue
2015 B OARD

TREASURER S REPORT

PAST FUNDRAISER
UPDATES

UPCOMING FUNDRAISERS

OTHER NEWS

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

RABAS MEMBERS

Brandon and Ashley Christensen informed everyone at

the January meeting that they will be undertaking a month
long bicycle ride to Bayfield, Wisconsin in an effort to raise
funds for RABAS. Brandon and Ashley will be accepting
pledges for the bicycle ride, with all proceeds going to
RABAS. They have researched a number of animal shelters
on their route to and from Bayfield and will donate items
to these selected shelters from their wish list. Things that
Brandon and Ashley will need from RABAS volunteers include the following: Promotion, help with stuffing envelopes to solicit pledges, and help with a fundraiser dedicated to pay their expenses for their trip. Brandon and Ashley
will handle most of the planning for all of the above, but
they will need our help in making it happen. They will also
need people to drive their support vehicle it may be a
number of people as 1 month is a large time commitment
for most people. More on this to come as plans begin to
take place.

RIVERS AND BLUFFS ANIMAL SHELTER

2015 Board of Directors

President- Cheryl Statz

425 South Fillmore St.
Prairie du Chien, WI
608-306-3896 -castatz@hotmail.com
Vice-President / Newsletter Editor Bev Pozega
32398 Gran Grae Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-326-2914 wyalusing 2012@gmail.com
TreasurerJill Cipra
36817 Bluffview Drive
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-326-4870 jbcipra@hotmail.com
SecretaryLinda Richmond
1101 South 15th Street
Prairie du Chien, WI
608-380-4037- laxgolfer@hotmail.com

SHELTER SHORTS is a monthly newsletter intended to

keep Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter volunteers and supporters connected. With everyones hectic schedules, we
know it is often difficult, if not impossible to attend monthly meetings or to work at all of our fundraisers.
Everyone is invited to submit articles for the newsletter. To
do so, please call Bev at 608-326-2914 or email her at wyalusing2012@gmail.com.

Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. Please use the back

door. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. The next meeting will be held on Thursday,
February 19th.

Board Member- Julie Whyte

322 South Wacouta Avenue
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-306-0499- chipndale322@hotmail.com
Board Member- Randy Paske
1300 East Wells Street
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-622-7855- repaske@gmail.com

Volunteer hours will be collected by Randy P. at monthly meetings or

you can email your hours to Randy at repaske@gmail.com.

Board Member- Donna Heilmann

1702 East Fowler Street
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
608-379-2112- heilmann73@gmail.com

Check us out on the Web

www.riversandbluffsanimalshelter.org

Treasurers Report
Jill Cipra Treasurer

Current balance as of January 15th, 2015

$224,795.82

Thanks to randy Paske for keeping this website up to date!

Checking Account Balance - $5688.60; Total C.D.s- $219,107.22

Like us on Facebook

We have increased our savings $84,774.86 from

just last year!!! That is awesome!

Rivers and Bluffs animal shelter-pdc

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January Meeting
January Meeting of Rivers & Bluffs Animal Shelter was held on Thursday, January 15th.
We had a nice turnout of 19 people in attendance. Committee chairs gave a brief report of their
monthly meetings. Building Committee: Paula reported that the building committee is moving forward with shelter design discussions. Building committee hopes to soon have a design
ready for approval. Paula, Don Iverson (project manager) and the rest of the Building Committee
feel that below ground utilities, footings and fill will be completed this year. Membership
Committee met on January 8th. They decided on a set of survey questions to ask current members in an attempt to find out more about them, including their interest level and things that they
feel are important to the growth of this organization. Each committee member was assigned
names to call and this phase has begun. Fundraising Committee met on January 12th. The
group discussed upcoming fundraisers. Group decided to work on Chairmans Planning Guide
(CPG) for Wake Up Santa and Tractor Supply Holiday Bake Sale at the February meeting. CPGs
will be completed for all events as we progress through the year. We also talked about compiling
a list of donors who have donated a minimum of $500. The Fundraising Committee will try to
come up with ways to recognize each level. Public Relations Committee did not meet in January due to a number of scheduling conflicts. Grants and Foundations Cheryl reported
that the Mason Foundation Grant will be reviewed in February. This is a grant to review our shelter design. Finance and Operations Committees did not meet in January.
Membership Committee will meet on the 1st Thursday of each month. PR Committee
meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Fundraising Committee meets on the 2nd Monday
of each month. If you are interested in joining any or all of these committees, please let me know
by replying to this email or calling 326-2914 for meeting times and locations. If you are interested in joining the Building, Operations, Finance, or Grants & Foundations, please let contact me at
326-2914 or reply to this email and I will find out when those meetings take place.
Election of Officers 3 RABAS Board Members terms were up. Randy Paske, President of RABAS, decided to step down as president, John Ryan, Board Member decided to step down from the
board and Donna Heilmann decided she would like to remain on the board. Thank you to all 3 for your
time spent on the board. Nominations and elections for vacant offices were held. Meet your new Board
of Directors: Cheryl Statz President, Linda Richmond Secretary, Jill Cipra Treasurer, Bev Pozega
Vice President, Donna Heilmann, Randy Paske and Julie Whyte Board Members. Congratulations
to all.
After a very lengthy discussion, it was decided that a group will review bylaws and revise if necessary.
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RabasRabas- ongoing fundraisers

Kwik Trip gas cards

Kwik Trip Gas sales from December 19th through January 15th totaled $2,055.00 for a
profit of $205.50, almost half of what it was in the previous month. Again, thanks to everyone who supports RABAS through the purchase of these cards. If
you are not supporting RABAS through the purchase of the KT
Gas Cards, would you please consider doing so? Jill, Donna and I
are only a phone call away. This is such an easy fundraiser that requires little effort. And almost everyone needs gas. Please help
us reach our goal by purchasing Kwik Trip Gas Cards.

Schwans/amazon
Schwans and Amazon.Com To support RABAS by placing an order from Schwans, please visit the following
website: https://schwans.flipgive.com/c/11785#.U7QGs-Z5E31.gmail. Even though the 20%
donation period is over, Schwans will still donate 5% of each order placed to RABAS. Amazon Smile is a website
operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com),
the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organizations selected
by customers. Please consider either or both of these fundraisers when shopping online from Schwans and Amazon.
It doesnt get any easier than this. As you begin your holiday shopping, please keep RABAS in mind when ordering
items from Amazon.

phoneraiser
Please continue to save and donate your old cell phones, smart phones and ink cartridges.
They can be dropped off at Tender Care Animal Hospital, Radio Shack or just bring them to a RABAS meeting. Donna, as always thank you for your time and effort in this project.

Pet food pantry

I have had only two requests for pet food. Due to the lack of response for this program, I have picked up all of the collection boxes. If I do not find a home for the pet food that Peg Smith and I have, I will ask CASA or Crisse Reynolds if they
would like it. Based on the lack of need this year, I feel this program will not be continued next year. To receive the free pet
food, pet owners must meet the low income requirements set by the Food Pantry at Bargain Boutique.
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upcoming fundraisers
Upcoming Fundraisers February 7 Pet Expo at Nelson True Value. Plans are well underway and I believe this years event will have something for everyone. The Pet Expo will run from 10
a.m. 1 p.m. Press releases, radio spots and advertising have started. RABAS will have no expenses for
this event. RABAS will have a bake sale and food stand. Crisse Reynolds, Crawford Co. Animal Control
Officer will be on hand for the entire event for a Meet and Greet as well as a canine micro-chip clinic.
Cost of micro-chipping your dog will be $20 with proceeds going to the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter/
Rehome Project. The first Crawford County Sheriffs Dept. K9 team will also be available for the entire event, pending any calls they may have to respond to. Deputy Breezer and his dog Breck will talk
about the program, answer questions and do some demos of the work they do. There will be a number
of dog obedience demos, a Parade of Rescue Dogs, and Kris Perkins and her dog Daisy and Phil
Dwornik and his dog Sadie will show off their Frisbee catching
skills (this will be done outside in the fenced in garden center
(weather permitting). A coloring contest will also be held for children in grades Pre-K through 4th grade at all Crawford County
Schools. Coloring posters will be on display at Nelsons True Value. Nelson True Value Staff will vote on the winning coloring
poster in each of the 3 age categories. The 3 winners (one in each
age group Pre-K Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grades and 3rd &4th
grades) will each receive a free Pizza Hut Pizza delivered to their
home by Deputy Breezer and Breck. Chance, RABAS large and
furry mascot will also be available for photo ops and a meet and
greet. CASA will be at the Pet Expo with adoptable pets. Tender
Care Animal Hospital will provide nail trims to well-behaved dogs
for a donation to RABAS. Therapy Dog Teams Paula Gutzmer
and her dog Maggie and Bev Pozega and her dog Nicki will be available throughout the day. A Parade of
Rescue Dogs, along with the dogs bio will take place at 11:45 a.m. A dog obedience demo will take
place at 10:30 a.m. and 11:15. Ashley and Brandon Christensen will talk about an exciting fundraiser
they plan to undertake this summer. Please note the response to the request for bakers has
not been overwhelming to say the least. If you could bake a batch of cookies, a loaf of bread,
your favorite pie or dessert, it would be greatly appreciated. Please reply to this email or call me at 326
-2914 if you can bake for the Pet Expo. If there is anyone willing to wear the furry Chance costume, please let me know. So far, Bob Witt is the only person who has volunteered for this job.
Walk for a Dog - You can now support the Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter every time you walk your
dog by using the Wooftrax "Walk For a Dog" app. This FREE app is available for your IPhone or Android smartphone. Simply download the app and follow the directions for confirming your email. Once
you have done that, use the drop down menu next to "walking for" to choose the state (Wisconsin) and
the Shelter (Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter). Every time you start walking your dog, click start.
When you are done, click stop. That is all there is to it. The Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter will get
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Upcoming fundraisers

Crawford County Art Show will feature the beautiful wildlife photography of Dr. Donna Higgins. The date is Thursday, March 12th from 4-6
p.m. Prices for the photos will range from $35-$75. Proceeds from the
sales of these photos will be donated by Donna to RABAS. She will need
our help with the sale of these photos. A few people have already volunteered for this, but we may need one or two more. More info on this will
be coming as we get closer to the date.
Nelson True Value Bake Sale and Food Stand is set for Friday and
Saturday, May 8th and 9th. This is usually a very good fundraiser for RABAS. We will need lots of baked goods and a few people to help on May 8th
and 9th.
Princess for an Evening Date has not been set, but soon Jill or I will
contact those needed to make it happen Huckleberrys, DJ, Lynn Rider
and Brian Cipra.
Pasta for Pets is confirmed for Wednesday, April 15th. As in the past, we will hopefully have a live and a silent auction.
Help will be needed to bake desserts for the dessert bar, bus tables and serve beverages that evening. Most importantly,
help will be needed to solicit items for the live and silent auctions. In the past two years, Merilee Pleggenkuhle took on
this large task by herself, vowing to make last years auction even more successful than the years before. At Thursdays
meeting, no one offered to help with this. I have done it in the past and it is a lot of work. But if a few people were to step
up and help it would make this task much easier. I did ask Merilee if she would help me and she graciously agreed. Merilee
has kept records from previous years concerning donations from local businesses. I hope to send out letters this week to
those businesses. For those of you who would like to help with the live and silent auction donations, but find it difficult to
solicit donations, we would gladly accept cash donations so that we can purchase large items from local stores. Donations
can be mailed to RABAS PO Box 421 PdC, WI 53821 or you can bring it to the February meeting. Last year we had
enough cash donations from members to buy one or two large ticket items from Walmart.
Rooster Andys Chicken Q is set for Thursday, May 28th in the parking lot behind Rickleffs Plumbing and Heating.
Thanks to Peg and Jill for setting this up.
Golf Tournament A number of golfers in our organization are working on a golf tournament which will be held in May
or June. Paula, Linda, Tori, and Cheryl have started the planning for this. More on this to follow as more info becomes
available.
Pizza Hut Guest Server Night Tina has contacted Cindy at Pizza Hut and is waiting for confirmation that RABAS has
a date for Guest Server Night.

Other news
Therapy Dog Teams Paula Gutzmer and Maggie continue their regular visits to Prairie Maison and the hospital. Deb and Jaz make
monthly visits to Walter Schmidt and weekly visits to Bluff View 2nd graders who read to them. Nicki and I will meet with a group of first
graders every Friday morning to increase their reading stamina by reading out loud to her. We break for lunch and then visit Ms. Sagedahls
1st grade. I think that the number of classes involved in the therapy dog program at BAK will increase.
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Other news

Adoptions, Losses, New Pets and Pets in Need

On Wednesday, January 14th, I said a final farewell to the dog that I never wanted, but am now finding it very difficult to
live without. My dear Vegas died from complications due to ingestion of rat poison and pancreatitis. I would like to take
this time to thank so many of you for your concern, care, phone calls, sympathy cards, flowers and donations to RABAS in
Vegas memory. I have said good-bye to many dogs in my lifetime, but none were as special as Vegas. She made me
smile every day she was the happiest dog that I have ever known and loved. I would like share the following excerpt
from The Gift of a Great Dog by Meghan Daum which was in the Winter 2014 edition of BARK Magazine.
They say if youre lucky youll get one really great dog in your life. Other dogs may do their jobs in their own unique and perfectly
wonderful ways, but there will always be that dog that no dog will replace, the dog that will make you cry
even when its been gone for more years than it could ever have lived. I have now had that dog. That is at
once the most beautiful and most awful thought in the world.
Brian and Jill Cipra are currently fostering Lloyd, a beautiful, sleek, black cat belonging to Dale
and Clara Huston. Dale and Clara would like to find a new home for Lloyd. Lloyd is a very
friendly and loving cat. If you would like to adopt Lloyd, please contact Jill or Brian at 3264870.

Membership renewals & donations

Memberships New & Renewals
Frank and Mary Weeks Sponsor; Ron Stark Sponsor; Laura Elsinger Patron; Joe & Kay Schmitz Sponsor; Linda
Richmond Single;
Donations: Nancy Iverson Memorials, Paper Moon - Wake Up Santa Sponsor, Tony Bland Memorial, David Clark Memorial, Michael & Mary Tiezen, Harold & Jacqueline Newkirk, Charlie & Terrie Connell, June Burns, John & Judy Ryan,
Liane Thompson, Patricia Dillman, Ron Stark, Anonymous Donation, Laura Elsinger, Joe & Kay Schmitz, Kay Schmitz,
Jean Bula and Jack Kussmaul Donations listed are current through January 15th.
River and Bluffs Animal Shelter Membership Form
Student - $5.00 ____

Sponsor - $75.00 _____

Individual - $25.00 ____

Patron - $150.00 _____

Family - $35.00 ____

Benefactor - $500.00

I would like to make a monthly pledge of : ________ per month for a total of
$_______ per year.

Needed: Your email address!

Please include your email address when
filling out your membership form. This
is a fast and inexpensive method of
communication.
Postage, paper, envelopes and printing
costs add up! Electronic mailing of the
newsletter saves RABAS big $$$$!

Name:___________________________________
Address:_________________________________
City/State/Zip_____________________________
Email:____________________________________ Phone Number:______________________

Please mail membership form to: River and Bluffs Animal Shelter

PO Box 421, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821

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Rivers and bluffs animal shelter

Patron members
Amy & Michael Enlow

Paula Gutzmer

Randy & Kathy Paske

Laura Elsinger

Patricia Dillman

Mike & Shelly Rider

Bob & Diane Witt

Sponsor members
Marilu Bintz

Bonnie& Denny Fuller

Stephanie McCumber

Ron Stark

Lu DeGuzman

Sandy Kittle

Linda Munson

Joe and Kay Schmitz

Bonnie Olson

Frank & Mary Weeks

Donna Heilmann

family members
Tom & Marjorie Bennett

Randi & Mike Kluesner

Brent Seamans

Erin & Seth Sanders

Jennifer Clements

Mike & Julie Hazen

Kurt & Peggy Smith

Bill & Nancy Stuart

Donna & Dale Cipra

Gary & Kathy Koch

Cheryl Statz & Steven Tibbetts

Jill & Brian Cipra

Jami & Ken Quick

Bill & Marlene Ziemer

Mike & Mary Jane Faas

Ron & Kathy Quamme

George & Mary Tilley

Eric & Betty Frydenlund

John & Judy Ryan

Steve & Lynda Welter Honorary

individual members
Tori Armstrong

Kelly Fishler

Kim Pinkham

Shirley Wegmuller

June Burns

Janis Hein

Bev Pozega

Sally Whitish

Deb Cross

Joe Hunzeker

Rosemary Reese

Brenda Wilson

Marilyn Crubaugh

Kristen Helgerson Kriegl

Linda Richmond

Julie Whyte

Phil Dwornik

Marty Leeman

Sue Rider

Dawn Eggers

Monthly pledge member

8 & Eileen Klatt
Don

Student members
Mollee Whyte
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