Chocolate!

Somehow it seems appropriate if we talk about Chocolate on Halloween!

Buddy is a chocolate lab, looking for a home!

He listens to commands and obeys then, isn't going to get up on the bed or couch uninvited, and is willing to ignore 'people' food.

This was inadvertently tested one day when the foster was eating a bagel, left it on the coffee table to go do something and forgot all about it! Hurrying back to the room she found Buddy still there and the bagel - untouched by doggy tongue, just waiting for her to finish.

Buddy has been with cats and does fine with them.

He loves to run and play and would enjoy someone who liked to run daily and who would take him along - unless it is too hot, of course.

He also is good off-leash at the dog park and sticks close by. Bud enjoys other dogs too. And hanging with his owners, getting lots of scritches and helping you nap!

Buddy says he's good at almost everything in his life - except where is that forever home? Hoping to see those folks coming around the corner soon -

Sat. Oct. 29

Will you be getting your pumpkin? planning the best face for it and your costume?

Pet Haven dogs have a VERY busy Sat. and then will put all 4 feet up on Sunday for a well-deserved day of rest!

Adoption: Sat. Oct. 29 , 11-1 p.m.

PetCo Richfield 66th and Lyndale Ave. S.

All sizes of dogs in one location, all looking for their forever homes.

Captain

Gigi, rat terrier

Bella, rat terrier

and others will be in attendance Sat. a.m.

Stop by for the occasion and wish all the participants (canine!) well as they strut their stuff that evening at our prime fundraiser for the year!

Pet Haven Fall Benefit - Sat. Oct. 29, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

A time for us to brag about all of our donors, all of our grant recipients, all of our volunteers and dogs and cats!

Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington.

Can't stop in for the whole evening? Come by 7:30 or shortly after and still have time to place a bid on one of many, varied baskets which will help us raise funds.

Learn more about our Spay Neuter Initiative grants and the remarkable work they do, make a donation to Pet Haven and specify to a particular portion of the budget if you wish; such as spay/neuter, health care, extraordinary care, etc.

Pet Haven strives to educate, work collaboratively to better the animals in our community.

Watch the style show! Best costumed dogs and cats in the Twin Cities, thanks to Lulu and Luigi's!

It's a fun evening and a wonderful close to a busy, busy day.

Bella - busy, lover, task oriented!

Bella

What does Bella like to do?

Play -

Jump -

Find just the right toy for the moment -

Snuggle -

Get treats -

All of the above and a few more besides!

Bella has lots of personality and energy. She loves having a job to do and being rewarded with a treat when she does it right.

At just 11 pounds, Bella is a little thing but her personality more than makes up for her petite size.

Bella has a fenced yard and enjoys romping but really loves to go for walks with you every day too. If it gets too cold a good game of tug-o-war is a substitute.

Do you have neighbors who love to meet and treat your dog? Bella knows just whose doorbell to ring to find the best treaters!

Bella is a wonderful dog for the experienced owner who wants a great companion who will cuddle and be involved in keeping Bella challenged with games and treats.

She can amuse herself and loves to interact with you so you get the best of both worlds. She's fine being left alone in her kennel during the daytime and anxious for a trip outside when you get home, dinner and a walk, house-toy games or people time.

Inquiring minds want to know!

Where do Pet Haven dogs come from?

One of the most frequently asked questions for the dog division is, "Where do you get your dogs from?"

There are several animal welfare organizations that we hear from regularly.

Some in the Twin Cities area.

Some in Minnesota.

A few that may be out of MN.

As a MnPAW partner, we are also asked to help other organizations in that group and the Animal Humane Society in rehoming dogs taken in under their care. Because Pet Haven is a limited admission shelter we can only bring in dogs (or cats) when we have foster home space available.

Pets Under Police Security (PUPS)

This is one of the impounds that contacts us. It is located in Maple Grove, and serves as animal control for Maple Grove, Brooklyn Park, Brooklyn Center, Champlin, Crystal, New Hope and Plymouth.

Fresno came from PUPS

Red Lake Rosie's Rescue (RLRR)

RLRR rescue is located on the Red Lake Indian Reservation and works to rescue dogs and cats from abandonment, surrender, impound facilities and strays. As with many rescued pets, previous health care may have been sketchy to non-existent and they may need longer term care to recover and be ready for a new home.

Captain came from RLRR

People for Pets

This group is an open admission shelter in rural IA. As with dogs and cats here in this area, the economy has impacted whether owners can give consistent care and keep their animals. Arrival in a more metropolitan area helps them to have a better chance at adoption.

Gigi came from People for Pets

Once a Pet Haven dog (or cat) always a Pet Haven dog

Pet Haven stands behind the adoptions of dogs previously placed through Pet Haven. Pet Haven works with an owner to take back a former Pet Haven alum or will help the re-homing process.

This Gigi was placed through Pet Haven when she was a young lady. She has been returned and hopes to find a retirement home now that she is a little older - one that will take her for walks, car rides and opportunities to be with her family which is what she loves best!

It takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to home and re home dogs and cats. Many people with different points of view come together to help make the world a better place for those we can take into our care.

Thank YOU!

You make this possible through publicity, volunteer work, adopting, outreach, fund raising and donations.

Dog Adoption This Saturday Oct 15th 11am - 1pm

Come meet your new best friend...or just stop by to say hi! Lots of adorable, charming dogs are waiting to meet you!

Medium and Large Dogs (25 lbs +) at Petco 710 West 66th St, Richfield from 11a - 1p. Meet Buddy and Fresno and their friends!

Small dogs will be hanging at Calhoun Chuck and Don's - 3246 West Lake St, Minneapolis from 11a to 1pm.

Pet Haven Awards $18,000 in spay/neuter grants

Along with puppies, often comes 'awwww ... how cute', and then there's a lot of baby talk to puppies. Yes, puppies (and kittens) are cute ... puppies are also a lot of work and for every litter of puppies born it takes away potential homes for adult dogs waiting in impounds and shelters/rescues. There is a serious pet overpopulation problem and Pet Haven is committed to helping reduce pet overpopulation through our Spay Neuter Initiative. As much as we love puppies (and kittens) we need to prevent any more litters, and we can do so by ensuring that every dog or cat is spayed or neutered.

Every cat and dog adopted through Pet Haven is spayed or neutered prior to adoption – doing so is a measure that we’ve always been deeply committed to. To help combat the overpopulation issue, Pet Haven offers grants to other non-profit groups in an attempt to expand spay/neuter efforts. Some of these groups handle surrendered animals while some help communities get control of feral cat populations. Others work to reduce the number of unwanted litters among large breed dogs or offer low income pet owners the assistance that they need.

Ahnung - Pet Haven alum. Taken back in Oct, 2008
shortly after being rescued by Karen of Red Lake Rosie's.
She was exhausted and beaten down from having
litter after litter. Thanks to Pet Haven she no longer
has to have any more litters.

Last year, Pet Haven awarded $15,300 dollars to seven groups whose combined efforts totaled 302 spays and neuters (cats, dogs and even one bunny)!   There’s no end to the creativity and ingenuity that contributes to theses program’s success. In an effort to reach large dog owners (large dog spay surgery is the most costly of the spay surgeries), one group posted spay/neuter assistance flyers on trash cans along bike trails and walking paths where dog owners throw their doo-doo bags, as well as at Laundromats where dog owners come to wash oversized dog beds that don’t fit in conventional machines – their efforts resulted in three times the amount of large breed dog spay/neuters than in past years! Other groups have sponsored “Spayghetti” dinners to fundraise and educate their communities while another launched a Facebook campaign called “Beat the Heat” geared toward encouraging pet owners to spay/neuter early in the spring to beat the first heat cycle of the breeding season.

This year, we had a record number of applicants and awarded a total of $18,000 to 13 organizations.  Part of our program at the Fall Benefit will be to acknowledge the great work our grant recipients are doing, and even be able to personally recognize a few of the recipients, as representatives from some of the organizations will be in attendance!

Pet Haven is an all-volunteer foster-based rescue. All donations raised from our Fall Benefit will go directly to our adoption program and our spay/neuter efforts.

Please help us in our efforts to reduce pet overpopulation. If you haven't purchased your ticket yet for Pet Haven's Fall Benefit on Saturday, October 29th be sure to visit our website www.pethavenMN.org and purchase your ticket today. 

Gigi again!

This Gigi isn't quite as small as the other one - she weighs 35 # and is just a medium sized girl.

She fits the bill for that famous song in other ways too -

Thank heaven for little girls
they grow up in the most delightful way!

Those little eyes so helpless and appealing
one day will flash and send you crashin' thru the ceilin'

Gigi loves people - everyone she meets, children and adults, are going to be lucky enough to be considered her friend.

Gigi was returned to Pet Haven when her owner lost her home due to foreclosure. The economy is tough for people and pets alike, but Gigi had some back-up insurance - Pet Haven.

She has wonderful house manners and can be left uncrated all day while you are at work. She will greet you with a smile, her cute little shuffle dance and a 'woof' and be happy to hear all about your day.

Do you need to get outside to relax a little? Gigi loves to go for walks. She's living with 3 adults right now so she has plenty of walking partners which keeps her active and happy.

Gigi is 10 yrs. old but acts like a 2 yr. old. She's full of loving and snuggling and general hanging out time.

Gigi is an American Staffordshire Terrier and an excellent example of her breed - mellow, happy, people friendly and a love.

What kind of family would Gigi choose for herself?

One who will give her lots of belly rubs and time for hugs and kisses.

One who will take her for walks so both of you can de-stress from your day.

One who enjoys showing off their dog when guests come over - Gigi loves to meet new people.

One who wishes to provide a home for a mature girl - not all of us can adopt a companion who will live for 15 years or more. Some of us are at a time in our lives when having that most loved pet for 4+ years seems just right for our life plans.

Who would be happier? Gigi? or you?

Gigi will be a star on TCL (Twin Cities Live) on Monday afternoon, Oct. 3, 2011 between 3 and 4 p.m. Catch it live! Check her out on line! She'll be promoting all of our adoptable dogs and cats and the Fall Benefit!