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!

The Great Minnesota Pet Together!

Saturday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Pet Haven Dogs will be in attendance at this super adoption event.

Stop by, meet a rotating group of foster dogs and learn more about them and about other dogs in foster care.

There will be 26+ groups in attendance ranging from limited admission, open admission, foster home based, shelters and humane societies.

MN Fairgrounds, International Market Square.

No admission fee

No charge for parking

Stop by - your next best canine buddy may be waiting for you!

Thank heaven for little girls -

Gigi!

At not quite 10 pounds, Gigi fits the description of a little girl.

She loves everyone she meets and gets along well with children also.

What does she like to do?

Run around in the yard -

Jump while she's playing - maybe she has springs in her legs?

Play and play -

Jump into your arms with ease -

Go for walks -

Go for car rides with you -

Spend plenty of time in your lap!

Gigi's foster thinks she would be great at agility if you are interested in that. She's very intelligent and food motivated - all traits that will lead to fun training sessions and a dog you will enjoy and want to brag about!

She'll want someone active in her life who will play in the yard with her and takes her for walks and more walks. A family with children, a couple, a single person looking for a wonderful buddy, someone who has a stay at home aunt or grandparent, someone who works from home and needs to take a few breaks in the day for some laughter, petting and play with Gigi!

Check her out. Submit an application. She's waiting!

A Creative Way to support Homeless Animals

Tula, adopted from Pet Haven in 2004.

A few weeks ago Pet Haven got an email from Alecia, who adopted Tula from Pet Haven in 2004. She wanted to give us an update and to also let us know that she was getting married (congratulations Alecia!) soon and since her best friend Tula wasn't able to physically be at her wedding she wanted to honor her ....

And in Tula's honor, Alecia and her soon-to-be husband Ryan have made a $500 donation and would like for Tula to be recognized as a Fall Benefit bronze sponsor!!!

This was  Alecia's original email to us: "I adopted by precious Tula (formerly Petula), a cute little Pekingnese, from Pet Haven approximately 6 years ago when I lived in Minnesota (I now live in Chicago). She has been my best friend and the best dog I could ever ask for. She has been with me through so many ups and downs, and I think of her as my little angel. Thank you Pet Haven for making this possible for me and Tula :)"

Alecia, Tula and Ryan

For the amount she was wanting to donate Pet Haven (and I'm sure Tula and her mom and dad-to-be would agree!) felt like she deserved even more recognition and could get that as a Fall Benefit bronze sponsor!

Alecia had the following to share with us:

"We adopted Tula from the Pet Haven in 2004, and I thank God for bringing us together on a regular basis. Although I don't know how Tula got to Pet Haven, I do know that her and I were meant to find each other. She has been a huge comfort during some very difficult times, and her funny face always seems to bring out smiles to everyone she meets. Tula and I moved from the lakes of Minnesota to the big city of Chicago in 2006. While in Chicago, I met the love of my life, Ryan, and now Tula and I are looking forward to becoming one big happy family when Ryan and I get married on October 8th. I wanted Tula to be the flower girl in the wedding, but it was just too difficult since our wedding is in Florida. In order to make Tula's presence felt at the wedding, I decided to make a wedding donation to the Pet Haven and put a write-up in our wedding program about Tula and the wonderful organization that helped bring us together. I am hoping that this will help raise awareness for the Pet Haven or even for other local animal rescues or humane societies. I feel very thankful and indebted to Pet Haven for allowing me to adopt my precious Tula. She is a true blessing, and I love her with all of my heart! Thank you Pet Haven. Keep up the good work helping dogs, cats, and pet lovers like me!"

Thank you Alecia and Ryan ... and congrats Tula ... you are one lucky pup :) I am sure your mom (and soon dad-to-be would argue with you that they are the lucky ones!

If you would like to honor your pet/family member too, consider a Fall Benefit bronze sponsorship! For more info click here or email marilou@pethavenmn.org. 

The Fall Benefit is also around the corner ---- Saturday, October 29th! If you haven't purchased your ticket be sure to purchase your ticket today. Tickets can be purchased online (www.pethavenMN.org). How about gathering a group of your friends together and buying a table of 10 ... as an all-volunteer organization, all funds raised from the Fall Benefit go directly towards helping homeless dogs and cats.

2010 Fall Benefit
Photo by Sarah Beth Photography

The Great Minnesota Pet Together, Saturday, 10/1

The Great Minnesota Pet Together

                 One day super pet adoption event at state fairgrounds

Get ready for The Great Minnesota Pet Together at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 1^st.  This pet adoption extravaganza is sponsored by PetSmart Charities® and MnPAW (Minnesota Partnership for Animal Welfare).  Hundreds of puppies, dogs, cat and kittens will be onsite for this one-day super pet adoption event.  Adoptable pets from more than 25 animal welfare and rescue organizations from around the state will be ready to leash up and head home.  There is no charge for admission to the event.

Date:     Saturday, October 1, 2011

Time:    10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where:  Minnesota State Fairgrounds International Bazaar

Cost:     Free

Adoption fees and policies are set by each participating group and not by event sponsors. All dogs and cats will have received a medical check-up and age-appropriate vaccinations.  For health and safety reasons, please leave your currents pet at home.

MnPAW is a coalition of animal welfare organizations throughout Minnesota who are committed to working together to aid animals. For more information on the event, visit www.mnpaw.org or call 763-489-2250.

If you are a rescue or shelter and would like to participate in the super adoption event email marilou@pethavenmn.org or mpelka@animalhumanesociety.org. 

MnPAW members include: Animal Allies Humane Society, Animal Humane Society, A Rotta Love Plus, Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet, Minneapolis Animal Care & Control, Minnesota Spay/Neuter Project, The Pet Project, Pet Haven Inc. of Minnesota, RAGOM - Retrieve A Golden of Minnesota, Tri-County Humane Society and The Humane Society of Kandiyohi & Meeker Counties.