Shelter News - Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter

The Newsletter of the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter
Spring 2013
Shelter News
A Tale of Two Dogs
Once upon a time, not long ago and not far from here, there were two dogs who each lived
with a family. The first dog was named Gracie, and Gracie was a beautiful full-blooded
miniature poodle. Gracie's white coat was immaculate and the family always made sure that
she had regular grooming sessions and the very best dog food that money could buy. They were busy folks so much of
her time each day was spent in her kennel waiting for her people to come home or wake up, but she didn't mind
because it was big and had all her favorite toys. Gracie also liked going on car rides, even when it was to her annual vet
appointments. The family took longer car rides (they called them vacations) but Gracie never got to go along, instead
she'd spend the week at a pet resort. The pet resort wasn't as big as her home, but she enjoyed getting a chance to go
for more regular walks than she got at home and she loved to play with all the other dogs. Back at home, Gracie's
favorite time were the evenings when the family gathered around the glowing box in the living room. She wasn’t allowed
on the couch but she'd play with a toy on the floor nearby and think about how lucky she was.
Across town in a small apartment lived a dog named Barney. Barney was an outgoing shepherd mix whose medium
length unkempt hair had never seen the stroke of a groomer's comb. Barney lived with his favorite person, and although
Barney didn't have fancy food the young man would often share his French fries… yummy! He didn’t have a kennel or
many toys, but spent his quiet time each day sleeping in the man’s big chair. Barney had never been to the vet but he
felt fine and got lots of exercise when he and the man went for their long walks every evening. His favorite time of year
was in the fall when he and the man would spend many days hunting, and over the years Barney had
gotten pretty good at finding the ducks that fell into the cold water. Sometimes while waiting quietly
for the birds to come Barney would look up at the man and think about how lucky he was.
2013-2014
Officers and Board Over the past 15 years we've seen almost 5000 animals at the shelter and we've seen at least that
Members
many different relationships between people and their pets. While we may not agree with all of the
Officers:
President
Anthony Anderberg
Vice-President
Roberta Yates
Secretary
Linda Anderberg
Treasurer
Jody Wendorff
Board:
Sustaining Members:
Larry Sorensen
Carolyn Vacek
Barb Otte
Newly Elected
3 year term:
Tom Jones
Char Gatz
Returning
3 year term:
Grant Knutson
Sandi Sportelli
Connie Hall
Janice Heintz
County
Representative:
Bev Wangerin
choices made by either Gracie or Barney's families, we have to remember that right and wrong are
human judgments - both dogs were happy and loved, and both were certainly luckier than many
companion animals. It's easy for us to get attached to the animals in our care and to want them to
all get perfect homes, but of course such things don't exist. Instead our area is filled with imperfect
homes and imperfect families who can only give as much time, care, and attention as they can
manage and afford. Both I and the shelter’s otherwise homeless pets are grateful for each and every
one of them.
- Anthony Anderberg - HMAS President
HMAS Donor
Recognition
The Shelter would like to thank
Richard Bipes of Crosslake, MN
for designing and creating the
HMAS Donor Board. You can
check out Richard's other
designs at his web site
(www.carveshop.com).
Any one time donation of $500
or greater will add your or your
company's name to this Donor
Board.
Page 2
HMAS 2012 Year
End Stats
*379 Intakes
*200 Stray
*167 Surrender
*12 Born at shelter
*310 Adoptions
*150 Cats
*160 Dogs
*28 Claimed by owners
*33 Transferred to other
organizations
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU’S
The Wal-Mart Foundation would like to recognize their associate, Scott
Wraspir, with a gift of $250 made payable to the Heart of MN Animal Shelter.
This check was issued in recognition of Scott's volunteer service of 25 hours
to the shelter. The Wal-mart Foundation is proud to support their associates
and make gifts in honor of the service they provide to their local communities
through their Wal-mart Foundation Volunteerism always Pays program.
Thank You Scott!

Many thanks to the Nackerud family whose Christmas gift wrapping efforts
at the Hutchinson Mall raised $817.45 for the animal shelter.

Thank you to Citizens Bank and Trust Company and the Hutchinson Pet
Hospital for encouraging the public to “like” them on Facebook which led to
generous donations to the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter.

Thank you to all that have taken the time and effort to raise money for the
shelter throughout the years with projects like lemonade stands, birthday
money, garage sales and many other innovative fundraising efforts!
Legacy of Love
You can make a lasting contribution toward saving the
lives of countless numbers of animals by naming the Heart
of Minnesota Animal Shelter as a beneficiary in your will
or life insurance policy. Please remember the animals
when you prepare your will or trust documents. Our
Federal Identification number is 41-1933351.
FEATURED VOLUNTER
Char Gatz
My name is Char Gatz, most people call me Chucki. My husband Gary,
my sister (Mary Witte) and I own EZ Obedience and Boarding, located
1-1/2 miles west of Hutchinson. When my sister and I retired from 3M we
decided to start an obedience and boarding facility for something to do with
all our spare time! We have met so many nice dogs and people in the last
3 years and have had so much fun!
I have been training and showing dogs for over 30 years. I have trained
and shown Golden Retrievers, a Border Collie, a Belgian Terverian and
have traveled all over the US and Canada showing dogs. Now I have a 3
year old Australian Shepherd (Bro) that I am working with in Obedience
and Herding. Bro is also a Therapy Dog and I have started a Therapy Dog
Chapter #252 here in Hutch, which is another great volunteer organization.
What made you decide to volunteer at HMAS?
A long time ago, probably at the first of the HMAS garage sales, I noticed they had a few baked items for sale.
As I love to bake, I thought - “now that is something I can do to help”. I got my friends, family and everyone to
bake something to donate and HMAS was so appreciative, it was just so much fun. So from helping at the garage
sale, I became a shelter member and now I am on the Board. I enjoy all of the things I do at the shelter, it is a great
group of people to work with. We are doing a great service to the community, helping a lot of animals find good
homes, keeping them safe and having fun doing it all at the same time.
Page 3
The Heart of Minnesota Animal
Shelter is going GREEN.
May 18th - Paws on Parade Benefit Walk
June 30th - MNSNAP Spay/Neuter Clinic
Sept 6th-7th - Rummage/Bake/Book Sale
Watch for:
Cash Wise Brat Stand
Dog Shows
Wish List
Dish soap
Large Laundry soap
Dryer sheets
Paper towels, toilet paper
Garbage bags
Mop heads, Industrial type
Bleach
Paper for the copy machine
Phone cards long distance
Leashes
Durable pet toys
Cat Litter
Postage stamps
Collars
Hand soap
Shopvac
VOLUNTEERS:
Membership Coordinator
Volunteer Coordinator
MONEY FOR:
Medical Fund
Spay/Neuter
Sponsors for Pet of the
Week Ad
What Can Your Donation
Give US?

Cans for Critters
Our aluminum can collection trailer
continues to be a great source of help for
the shelter. The trailer is located outside
the shelter building, and cans can be
dropped off at any time.

Used Cell Phones and Empty
Laser and Inkjet Printer
Cartridges
Collection drop off points at both the cat
or the dog building. If you want someone
to come and pick them up,
call 320-587-7470 and leave a message.

Newsletter -vs- email
If you would like to have the HMAS
newsletter sent to you by email. Please
email your email address to
[email protected] or go to
www.heartofminnesota.org
Remember to drop
off your Cash Wise
Points for animals at
the shelter if you
cannot utilize them!
$2
A small toy to pass the long hours waiting
$5
A bone for the dogs
A fun string toy for the cats
$10
Makes all of our bedding Downy fresh
Buys us a shinny new collar and leash
$15
Feeds us for one day
$20
Keeps our web site running for one month
Gets one of us routine medical care
$25
Provides fresh cat litter for the entire group
Helps us find a home with a newspaper ad
$50
Buys special foods for sensitive stomachs
Trips to the vet for one of our ill friends
$75
Helps over population by sterilizing one animal
Keeps us all warm during a cold winter month
Cat play area perches or gravel in dog runs
Donations of new and gently
used items for the Heart of MN
Animal Shelter’s annual fall
rummage sale.
Please do not drop items
off at the shelter.
For pick up call:
320-587-7652
or
320-234-7375
$200
Buys a cat condo which give the cats extra
room to move around or space for 2 cat friends
****NO clothing Please****
Rummage Sale
Items Wanted
Page 4
Twiggy is getting
along fine and seems
to be gaining weight.
We love her and she
adds so much life to
our home. The cat is
the only one who
isn’t too fond of her.
They take turns
teasing each other.
She chases him, then
he turns and swipes
at her, but no one
ever gets hurt. She
loves to run in the
snow. And also to eat the snow... I think she is one of
the few who will miss it if spring ever comes.
Thanks again! - Dennis and Mitzie
Pebbles is doing wonderful!
She is such a joy to have,
I cannot even begin to
explain how much I adore
this cat. She is still feisty at
times, but that's just part of
her charm. She definitely
runs the show, and when
she's not on my lap, she's
usually sprawled out on my
bed, prowling around my
high-up loft bed which she now thinks is her own personal kitty
castle, or watching the excitement out the window that
overlooks downtown Albert Lea. She has become a complete
cuddle bug, and although I am definitely her "person", she is
extremely friendly with everyone who comes to visit. I cannot
thank you and the rest of the shelter staff and volunteers for
taking such great care of her, and never giving up on her, even
after she'd been there for so long. Pebbles will never have to
worry about being without a home ever again.
- Raquel Hellman
Hello it's your old friend Twister. I
still really love my new home and my
big brother and sister are great. I
love to sneak into their beds at night
and snuggle...after all they're really my
beds, the kids just borrow them for a
few hours. Everybody that visits says
they have never seen a cat as patient
as me. I let my brother and sister
carry me around everywhere. I love
sleeping on the very top of my kitty
condo because I can see all the birdies
out the big picture window and the sun
is nice and warm and everybody comes to give me pets and snuggles while I'm there.
I never bite or scratch, even sometimes when Mommy thinks I should. I just wiggle
away and hide for a few minutes. I hate the jingly collars my mommy tries to get me
to wear. I take them off all the time so I can sneak up on her at night. Ha ha ha.
One of my favorite things ever is when my brother and sister go out to play on our
three season porch...they bring me with and I can sit in a bunch of different
windows and talk to the neighbors cat Frank through his window. Then it gets dark
out and I make Mommy come out and call for me before I show her where I am,
she always tries to put collar back on me then but I take it off really fast. Although
my Daddy wasn't thrilled about me coming home at first mommy catches him
snuggling me and giving me kitty treats. Then when he sees mommy watching he
pretends he wasn't just petting or playing with me...I think it's a game to Daddy
now he and mommy laugh about it all the time! The dogs are still here, we play tag
now, and I use them as exercise hurdles. I've gotten lots bigger since you saw me
last. I'm super long and a very healthy weight. My family brags about you guys
every chance they get. They are so thankful they found me and that you did such a
good job with me.
- Twister Main
Brooks in his New Home
In Memory of . . .
In Memory of Todd Kirsch
From: Pat Kirsch
In Memory of Harry Kurth
From: Dan & Kathy Scheer
In Memory of my companion,
Libby – 15 yrs old
From: Maureen Hantge
In Honor of
Grace Wurdell's 8th Birthday
From: Kris Dobratz, Friends & Family
In Memory of our Bassets
Flash & Sassy
From: Donn & Pamela Hoffman
In Honor of my dog Carly Sue
From: Elizabeth Cheney
In Memory of Phoebe Jean
From: Stephanie Miller
In Memory of Donna Hartmann
From: Gordon Hartmann
In Memory of Keith Krommenhoek
From: Mike, Mary, Trevor, Jillian
(Beck) Evans, Dan & Kathy Scheer
In Memory of My Princess Kyrie
From: Roger Nieland
In Memory of Taylor Marie Lepel
and her dog Kenzi
From: Joel & Elynn Lepel
Page 5
In Honor of Jenny - a true animal lover
From: William & Doris Wegner
In Honor of Dave & Kristi Ahlquist
From: Mark & Shirley Ahlquist
In Memory of Romeo & McDuff
From: Kay & Eugene Falling
In Honor of Peg Klouda & Brian Cherry
From: Kay Hultgren
In Memory of David Prieve
From: 3M Co-workers & friends
In Honor of my very good neighbors
Rick, Vicki & Kelsey Linder
From: George W. Quast
In Memory of Todd Pooler
From: Mary & DeLue Grams
In Memory of Bruce Hakes
From: Peggy Nonweiler,
Vickie Curtiss, Patty Hakes
In Memory of our beloved
Brownie (Maria)
From: William & Sheryl Mose
In Memory of Cuddles
From: Lori & Mike Buske
In Memory of Lady – a beloved
member of the Elfering family
From: Lora Goldschmidt
In Memory of Bandit, my Siamese cat
From: Keith Peterson
In Memory of Alfred Nott
From: Jeff Nohner
In Memory of Roxy Johnson
From: Loren Johnson
In Memory of Dan Block
From: Jeff Nohner
In Memory of Lugene Dressel
From: Daryl & Sheila Gruenwaldt
In Memory of
Eileen Schmidt's Mother
From: Corrine McQuillan
In Memory of Sassy
From: Anna Wehmeyer
In Memory of Mary Schmeling
From: Wendy Lambrecht
In Memory of Roy Pikal
From: Bruce & Melinda Adams
In Memory of Brian Renstrom
From: Beth, Dan & Ramsey Nowak
In Honor of
Uschi Smith's 70th Birthday
From: Dr Virgil & Kay Voigt, Michael
& Mary Mueller, William Ratzlaff,
and Merrill Wendlandt
In Honor of my kitties Tux & Raquel
and my friend’s shelter donations
for my 6th Birthday Party.
From: Ian Todd
In Honor of . . .
In Honor of Marian Farmer
From: Dona Brown
In Honor of Wheezer
From: Cris & Linda Remucal
In Honor of Bubbles
From: Jiameng Wang

If you would like to make a contribution in memory or in honor of a very special animal or human friend, please complete the
information below and mail to HMAS Memorials, Box 175, Hutchinson, MN 55350
Your name____________________________________________________________Phone________________________________
Address___________________________________________________City, State, Zip_____________________________________
(Please circle one)
In Memory / Honor of ________________________________________________________________________________________
Donation enclosed $________________________
Page 6
Page 7
Signature of walker, or walker’s guardian if under 18
Signed_____________________________________________
In consideration of the furtherance of your purposes, objectives and work, and in consideration of your permitting me to
participate in your walk, on behalf of myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, I hereby waive and release
any and all rights and claims for damages which I might have against you, the municipalities through which the walk will
take place, as well as any other person connected with the walk, their heirs, executors, administrators, successors and
assigns for nay and all injuries which I may suffer while taking place in the walk or as a result thereof.
Total: _________________
Total Pledge
St. Address, City/State/Zip
Sponsor Name
All contributions must be received by walk day to qualify for prizes. Please hand in your TOTALED pledge form at the
registration desk. Additional pledges may be listed on a separate sheet stapled to this pledge form. Make checks payable to
the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter. All donations are tax deductible.
City/State/ZIP__________________________Phone__________________
Individual’s Name_________________Address______________________
Team ___________________________________________________
Registration @ 9:00am Walk @ 10am
HMAS Paws on Parade Benefit Walk, May 18, 2013
HMAS PAWS ON PARADE BENEFIT WALK
Glencoe Veterinary Clinic Operation Roundup
The Glencoe Veterinary Clinic supports the efforts of the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter.
We want to recognize these efforts and their need for financial support. From April 1 – May
10 the Glencoe Veterinary Clinic will be sponsoring a Round-Up for the Heart of Minnesota
Animal Shelter. Clients will be able to show their support of the HMAS by rounding up their
invoice total. 100% of client’s donations will be given to the HMAS at the Paws on Parade pet
walk on May 18. In addition the clinic will have a collection box for people in the community
to bring in items needed by Heart of Minnesota that will be donated on May 18 as well.
How it works: when a client brings their pet to the clinic, or stops in to purchase merchandise,
they will be able to add a donation to the HMAS onto their invoice. The invoice will serve as
the client’s proof of contribution to HMAS. The client will be given a paw to write their pet’s
name on, and the paw will be placed on the wall of giving. The Glencoe Veterinary Clinic will collect donations from April 1
– May 10, and then issue the HMAS a check at the Paws on Parade pet walk on May 18 for the entire amount donated. The
Glencoe Veterinary Clinic hopes that our clients will become aware of the efforts of the HMAS and will support their endeavors to find forever homes for the pets that are in their care. Please support HMAS and participate in Glencoe Veterinary
Clinic’s Round-Up for the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter.
Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter
880 Century Ave., P.O. Box 175
Hutchinson, MN 55350
(320) 234-9699
If you would no longer like to
receive this newsletter or if you
are getting duplicates, please
call 320-234-9699 or e-mail:
[email protected],
web-site:
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
HUTCHINSON MN
PERMIT NO. 18
Current Resident or
www.heartofminnesota.org
Adoption Hours:
Tuesdays 5-7pm
Thursdays 5-7pm
Saturdays 1-5pm
Thank you to Standard Printing
in Hutchinson, MN for Printing our Newsletter.
Sponsors Needed!
You’ve probably seen the “Pet of the Week” ads in the Hutchinson Shopper. These ads have
proven highly successful in finding homes for the featured animals. Many people tell us they
watch for the ad each week. Individuals or businesses are welcome to be a one-time sponsor,
or sign on the schedule as a regular. They may have their name listed as the sponsor, or
sponsor anonymously. The cost is $25 for each ad. For more information, call the shelter!
The Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter is devoted to the care of unwanted, stray or abused animals in the
form of providing veterinary care, housing and adoption in the McLeod County and surrounding area. We
are further devoted to the education of the public regarding animal care and overpopulation.

I’d like to be a member of the Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter!
My membership fee will include a one year subscription to the Shelter News, so I will always be on top of
what’s going on at the shelter. I will also be able to vote at the annual meeting. I am enclosing a check or
money order in the amount of $20.00. Pleased send my newsletter and updates to this address:
Name____________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address_____________________________________________________________________________
City, State, ZIP_______________________________________________Phone________________________
 Please contact me about volunteer opportunities available with the shelter