Dog Days at the Dome

Faster than a speeding running back, more powerful than a nosetackle, it’s your dog at Dog Days at the Dome. For $1, your dog can enjoy an indoor romp with over 200 dogs at the Metrodome. Held January 6, February 3, and March 3 from 6 to 9 pm, Dog Days at the Dome is the closest thing to a running track that any dog could hope for....

Pet Haven, other rescue groups, and vendors are partnering with Podium Sports Marketing who is staging the event along with the Metrodome. Please stop by the Pet Haven table for a visit.

Visit our website for more info.

First adoption event of 2009 - Saturday, January 3

(Andy, a 1 year old shepherd mix, who is currently available for adoption.)

The Pet Haven Dog Division will be hosting our first adoption event of 2009 tomorrow, January 3, from 10am to noon at the Minnetonka Petco event. Thinking about adding a new family member in the new year? We have great dogs of all ages and sizes who would love to meet you!

Happy New Year and Thank You!

As we begin 2009 I wanted to take the time to thank all our volunteers and supporters for all you have given and done on behalf of abandoned, abused and neglected animals. I am honored to be serving my second term as President of Pet Haven and to be part of an incredible group of passionate and compassionate people. Words cannot do justice for the spirit of fire inherent in so many I have met over the past year – from volunteers to adopters to partners to members and supporters. From the bottom of my heart… thank you!

Our mission has four key components, all of which are equally important: 1) to rescue and re-home dogs and cats, 2) spay and neuter, 3) promote responsible care of companion animals through education, and 4) advocate on behalf of companion animals. I am so proud of what we have been able to do together this past year on behalf of homeless animals. Without your support Pet Haven would not be able to continue our work.

Every dog, cat, puppy and kitten who came through our foster program was truly given a second chance. And in the process they touched the hearts of so many. As critical as our adoption program is, we cannot adopt our way out of the pet overpopulation and we remain committed to spay/neuter efforts. In 2008, Pet Haven distributed over $16,000 in spay/neuter grants to other rescues. Our largest fundraiser and our second Fall Benefit was a huge success raising over $20,000 which goes directly towards helping homeless animals. Our Outreach team has been extremely busy with helping spread the word about responsible companion animal ownership, the importance of spay/neuter, the overpopulation crisis, black dog and black cat syndrome and myths around bully breeds. Most recently, Pet Haven partnered with Twice the Gift in a holiday fundraiser and raised over $2600. Many thanks to volunteers and the Pohlad Family Foundation for making it a big success! And in 2008, our advocacy team has been gearing up and will be actively involved in efforts around puppy and kitten mill legislation.

I look forward to 2009 and what we together as a community can do on behalf of homeless animals. Thank you for caring. Thank you for giving so much of yourselves. And thank you for believing that yes, we all can, and do, make a difference not only in the lives of companion animals, but for each other.

With deep gratitude,
Marilou Chanrasmi
Marilou@pethavenmn.org

Rae Ann: Loving life in her foster home

Rae Ann is a 1-2 year old hound mix who came in to Pet Haven shortly before Thanksgiving from Rosie's Red Lake Rescue.

As you can see, it hasn't taken Rae Ann long to make herself right at home in her foster home. She has just enjoyed her first Christmas as an indoor dog and treasured family member -- there's no going back now that she's had a taste of the good life. Pet Haven wouldn't have it any other way!

Here's an update from her foster:
Well, she is a bit of a goof ball. Very playful with Annie [beagle] but especially Rufus [Great Dane mix]. It's like they are in love. They follow each other around all the time and rough house inside and outside. She is starting to really play with toys and loves all and any treats. Her tail is healing [she had "happy tail" - where she made the end of her tail bleed from wagging it so much] but is always going, she wags it like a propeller (round and round) She loves the backyard, chasing rabbits and barking at the squirrels in the trees. I had to block the top of our compost though because one night I looked out and she was standing in it and having a snack! What a silly girl, and she came inside with Cauliflower on her feet,Yuk. She's just going to make someone really happy.

These happy beginnings would not be possible without the tireless work of Karen Good and her volunteers at Rosie's Red Lake Rescue. They are currently a couple hundred dollars away from their Holiday fundraising goal of $5,000. All Minnesotans know that winter is especially brutal in northern Minnesota. Funds raised will be used to provide shelter and food (they burn more calories keeping warm in the winter) for the animals at RRLR.

If you are interested in learning more about Rae Ann, please email pethavendogs@yahoo.com

Daisy's new years resolution

Daisy's new years resolution is to lose the last 1.8 lbs to reach her goal weight of 17 lbs. She has lost almost 3 pounds since she arrived in her current foster home a few months ago, so she is on the right track!

As you can see from this photo, Daisy's still searching for her workout motivation. She knows that losing weight is a popular New Years resolution, so if she could find an adoptive family who is also recommitting themselves to daily walks it could be a match made in heaven!

If you are interested in learning more about Daisy, please email pethavendogs@yahoo.com

Adopted Dog Monday!

We have a very exciting adopted dog Monday!

Maggie has been in foster care for 14 months and we have often wondered why no one has fallen for this girl in all that time. All that changed this weekend when she headed to a new foster with intent home! This is the type of home that her foster has dreamed of for Maggie -- a farm setting where she can run, explore and engage all her herding and hound instincts. She also has 2 kids to call her own and a new dad who has had both shelties and hounds and knows what to expect with Miss Maggie.

Ahnung - working with urban youth!

Ahnung arrived in Pet Haven's foster program in mid-November from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. She is currently being treated for heartworm and lymes. For the past month she has been cared for, and pampered, by our partner vet, Bloomington Veterinary Hospital.... for the remainder of her treatment I have decided she will fit in nicely in our home :) This incredibly gentle, calm spirit has a presence about her that needs to be shared. We decided she would be a perfect candidate for Pet Haven's expanding efforts in education and outreach. Pet Haven was approached by The Lab, a program of the St. Paul Public schools working with at-risk urban kids, to present to one of their classes. A week ago, Ahnung (means "star" in Ojibway) just shined in her debut outreach effort with the kids. With pride, she wore the bright orange Lab t-shirt. Prior to class beginning, Ahnung made her rounds with the kids stopping at each desk as they had a chance to say "hi" and learn the proper way to approach a dog.

The kids were extremely engaged and excited to learn more about homeless animals, Ahnung's story (how she was abandoned in northern Minnesota with a litter of 8 puppies), and how to be responsible pet guardians. We also had the opportunity to dispel some myths surrounding bully breeds. The class session was filled with lots of great questions from the kids and an eagerness to both share what they knew about dogs and to learn new information.


At the end of the class, with a big smile on their face, each kid came to the front of the class to have their picture taken with Ahnung. Ahnung will continue to volunteer her time at The Lab and her next outreach event with urban youth is scheduled for January.