Black Friday finds homes for black pets!

The day before Thanksgiving, we decided to create a promo for Black Friday: for one day only, we waived Adoption Fees for our pets with black fur!

Six pets:

Cats: Jinx & Alister,

Senior Cockerpoo: Heath

Kitten: Cairo

Lab/Boxer mix: Tiana

Kitten Pax (no pic)

were all adopted!

7 Year Old Helps Homeless Pets

Emily Harper turns seven on November 25th.

Nine friends attended her birthday party, but instead of gifts for her, Emily asked them to bring items to help our homeless pets.

On Friday, November 19, she and her dad delivered the presents to our Adoption Center and our animals thanked Emily in person! She especially enjoyed visiting with our adoptable bunny, Deloreon.

Emily has made a difference in the lives of our homeless pets. What an inspiration!

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Humane Red & Humane White Wine

Philanthropy at its "winest"

Lovers Leap Vineyards & Winery has created Humane Red & Humane White wine to benefit our homeless animals. The labels feature two adopted Woodford Humane pets, beautifully photographed by Peggy Maness Photography.

Each bottle of wine costs $20, and of that Lovers Leap will donate $5 back to our animals. In addition, the total Humane Wine donation will be earmarked to Woodford Humane's SAVE Matching Gift and Endowment Fund, so each bottle purchased goes twice as far helping our animals!

To get Lovers Leap Humane Wines to give as a gift, or for yourself, please visit Lovers Leap at 1180 Lanes Mill Road, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Or contact them at info@loversleap.com or (502) 839-1299.

Must be 21 to purchase Humane Wines. Lovers Leap promotes responsible drinking.

Let the games begin!

If you're sad the 2010 World Equestrian Games are over, we invite you to join us for our Annual Canine Olympics event, Sunday October 17, 2010. And check this out: Parking is free and there are no admission fees for spectators!

Woodford County Park (at the Big Red Barn)

Next to Falling Springs Rec Center

Versailles, Kentucky

This day is filled with smiles and tail wags celebrating our love for the homeless pets in our Adoption Center.

To help us raise money for our animals, it's $6 to enter your cute canine in:

• Best Trick
• Straight Dash - under 16"
• Straight Dash - over 16"
• Frisbee Catch
• Dancing with the Dog Stars
• Outfield Catch
• Hot Dog Dash - under 15 lbs
• Hot Dog Dash - over 15 lbs
• Halloween Costume - cutest
• Halloween Costume - scariest
• Halloween Costume - funniest
• Halloween Costume - best homemade
• Friendliest Dog - kisses
• Friendliest Dog - wags
• Obstacle Course - beginner
• Agility Course - experienced
• Cookie Toss - under 15 lbs
• Cookie Toss - over 15 lbs
• I'll Eat Anything!!

To save time, download and complete this registration form and bring it with

you. Get a free t-shirt per canine participant.

Bring your lawn chairs, kids and friendly dogs to enjoy shopping our Olympic village & silent auction. We'll have concessions, an Agility Course to test your dog's skills, and Alumni Parade for Woodford Humane adopted dogs, Canine Caricature Portraits by Linda Boileau and, of course, our adorable and adoptable pets!

Noon - Registration

12:30 - Blessing of the Animals

1:00 - Games and Alumni Parade

To help our animals, please print and post our event flyer in your office or favorite hang out. Click here for our facebook event invitation and invite your friends.

Help us thank all of our event sponsors, volunteers, vendors and our participants.

Event Judge: Mary Ann Zeigenfuse of Best Friends Obedience

Event Emcee: Steve Sullivan of Star 103.7

Foxy's Smile

This photo of Foxy remained posted on Petfinder for almost a year while she stayed at our Adoption Center.

We just knew someone would open their home and heart and adopt this happy girl and we waited together. Foxy greeted every day with cheerful tail wags and this big and beautiful smile. You can imagine the joy in our hearts when she finally found her forever home!

Foxy and her dad visited our Adoption Center earlier this week. Her smile put smiles on all of our faces! Her dad said, "It's so nice to see the staff here remembers her and her name!" and told us he introduces Foxy those who are uneducated or uncertain about Pit Bulls and Pit mixes. We are honored that Foxy is now an ambassador for her breed and continues to touch so many hearts.

Her smile still is as big as ever, but today it's because she is loved in her forever home.

Foxy, 9/8/10

Sniff 'n Mingle

Friday, September 17

7:00-9:00pm

Sniff 'n Mingle

Sniff 'n Mingle is our annual event debuting our beautiful fundraising Limited Editions Engagement Calendar. Our

calendar is packed with stunning pet portraits, output in gorgeous sepia tones and a must for all animal lovers!

Bring your friendly dog on a leash and join us at Lexington Green, hosted by Bronte Bistro and Joseph-Beth Booksellers, on Friday, September 17 from 7pm to 9pm.

This event is free, so come out and mingle with us, while your canine companion sniffs.

Our 2011 Calendar Sponsors:

Blue Willow Farm at Rigby's Green

Peggy Maness Photography

Ace Weekly

All About Aussies

Artique

Bluegrass Veterinary Specialists

Brittany Farms

Buffalo Trace Veterinary Services

Carol McLeod, DVM, MS

Citizens Commerce National Bank

Computer Surgeons

Dean, Dorton and Ford, PSC

Fowler, Measle and Bell, PLLC

IncrediPet

Joseph A. Lasheen, DMD

Kentucky Eye Institute

McEwen Creative

One Job at a Time

Quality Feeds

S&S Tire / Vision Advertising

Silver Dogs Custom Jewelry

Stites and Harbison, PLLC

Summit Family Chiropractic

Suran Trade Bindery

VCA Woodford Animal Hospital

Event Hosts: Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Bronte Bistro

Event Emcees: Star 103.7

These calendars make fantastic holiday gifts, so start shopping early! And along with this calendar as a gift to your animal lovin' friends and family members, purchase a gift of an image space for them to include their pets in our 2012 calendar (pets do not have had to been adopted from Woodford Humane Society).

If you miss Sniff 'n Mingle, you can get your 2011 calendar by visiting our website to find the list of generous local retailers selling it for the animals. List to be posted after event.

Check out our event invitation on facebook and invite your friends. Mention Sniff 'n Mingle on your Twitter posts, we're @WoodfordHumane. All of your networking helps our homeless animals have a voice.

Adopt an '09-K9!

Hattie, Mercedes, Chelsea, Livvy, Diego, Gulliver, Rocco, Cash, Cherry, Coppola & Lavinia all arrived homeless in 2009.

These K9 companions have incredible, tail waggin' personalities and we want so badly to see them in their loving, forever homes! They've been homeless way too long.

Our August 09K9 Adoption Promotion is waiving the adoption fee for any K9 who arrived in our care in 2009 (with, of course, approved adoption applications). Each is spayed/neutered, dewormed, up to date on rabies & routine vaccinations and micro-chipped and all go home with a dog training DVD, heartworm check and a free visit to a participating vet clinic.

Lavinia has been adopted from our '09K9 promotion!

Since our '09K9 August Promotion began Coppola, Diego, Chelsea, Rocco, Lavinia and Cherry have all been adopted! We need your help networking for our other 09K9s to help find them their perfect, forever homes!

For more info, contact us at manager@woodfordhumane.org or (859) 873-5491. Or, stop by our Adoption Center. We're open Monday-Friday: Noon-6pm and Saturday & Sunday: Noon-5pm.

If you can't adopt, perhaps you can sponsor an '09K9's stay with us to help us care for them. Info at http://www.woodfordhumane.org/Adopt_A_Friend.htm (under our list of pets).

6/24 Scenes of Annestes Farms Sneak Preview Party

The Headley-Whitney Museum hosts our 'Scenes of Annestes Farms' Sneak Preview Party on June 24, 2010 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Event is free to attend with Hors d'Oeuvres by The Invisible Chef Catering and Cakes by LouNana, and tastings by Four Roses Distillery and Lovers Leap Vineyards & Winery.

This rare art collection is a silent auction to raise money for our homeless pets. Thirty-eight talented artists and photographers visited the gorgeous Annestes Farms in Versailles, Kentucky to create and donate work depicting the horse farm for this unique collection. Our Sneak Preview Party debuts the exhibit and opens the bidding.

'Scenes of Annestes Farms' remains at Headley-Whitney through July 18. It then moves to Annestes Farms where the auction closes at our largest annual fundraiser, Freedom Fest presented by L.V. Harkness on July 24. Click here to get tickets and to bid online to own a piece of this amazing collection.

The 2010 Freedom Fest Signature art "Animals in Command" was painted and donated by Adaline Wichman and will be featured in our Freedom Fest Live Auction on July 24!

Please help our homeless pets thank each artist & photographer, in-kind donor, volunteer and sponsor for their help making our 11th annual Freedom Fest Celebration and Scenes of Annestes Farms Art Auction so special!

Handy? The animals could use your help.

We need skilled friends to help us with mowing and maintenance at our Adoption Center. If you can make a commitment to stick with us with a few hours or more each week, please email marty@woodfordhumane.org.

Woodford Wag is May 15

Get ready to WAG for the animals!

Join us at our first annual Woodford Wag

Saturday May 15

Woodford County Park, Falling Springs Rec Center

8:30am: 5K Cross Country Race for humans timed by John's Run/Walk Shop

8:45am: 2K Walk/Run for humans with or without a friendly dog on a leash

Advance registration $18 (closes 5/12): online

Start a fundraising team for the animals!

Day of Race $20: 7:30-8:15am, cash or check only

Pre-registrants are guaranteed an event tee; first come first serve the day of the race. Awards ceremony following the race presented by ABC 36's Mary Wasson.

• 5K - top male and female by age group
• 2K - Woodford Wag logo lookalike, best tail wagging dog, first dog/human team finisher
• Top fundraiser and top fundraising team

Please thank our Woodford Wag event sponsors: BB&T Wealth Management, Nature's Own, Versailles Family Medicine, Animal Clinic at Equestrian Woods, Animal House Pet Hotel, Ashview Farm, Fitness Plus, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Hills Science Diet, Graviss McDonalds, ABC 36, AVT Audio Visual Techniques, Post Printing, Pretty in Pink, Summit Family Chiropractic, The Wright Design Screen Printing and Bill & Janet Tincher Hay & Feed.

A tail-waggin' thanks to our Volunteer Woodford Wag team: Mike Bell, Priscilla Aguila, Marc Cousoulis, Alex Kershaw, Steve Smith, Marcia Taylor, Sue Van Patten and Bud Watson.

If you can't participate, maybe you can help the animals and volunteer. Email marty@woodfordhumane.org for details.

Help our "Team Woodford'" employee fundraising team. We've set a goal of $500 and need your help to reach it!

Joseph-Beth Gives Back!

Since 2008, Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington has donated over $13,000 to the homeless pets at the Woodford Humane Society! As a 501c3 nonprofit without any government funding, this sure helps our SAVE mission (Spay/neuter, Adopt, Volunteer, Educate).



You can add to this donation each time you shop at JB. Become a Gives Back Member and select Woodford Humane as your partnering charity. Then, each time you shop, the animals will benefit from your purchase (details).



May is Joseph-Beth's Gives Back Month

and you can Give Back even more!

1. Become a Gives Back Member


2. Print this special voucher


3. Bring it and shop on Wednesday, May 5.

When you do, TWENTY PERCENT will be donated back to the animals waiting for homes at our Adoption Center!

PRINT & BRING THIS VOUCHER

If you can't join us May 5, become a Gives Back Member now and help our homeless animals every time you shop at Joseph-Beth throughout the year. Please join us in thanking our friends at Joseph-Beth Booksellers!

Shop Woodford Humane retail (tees, tanks, totes, license plate frames, cards, etc) at Joseph-Beth in Lexington. Our display is located at the fire place as you enter Bronte Bisto. Each item sold helps us raise awareness and funds for the animals.

Woodford Humane Society's adopted Copper photographed by Peggy Maness Photography.

VISA helps the animals!

Citizens Commerce National Bank offers a special VISA card that benefits our homeless pets. Each time you use your Woodford Humane VISA, the bank will donate up to 1% of what you spend to the Woodford Humane Society.

If you're looking for an easy way to support the animals, this is one of the best things you can do. Since the start of this program in 2007, Citizens Commerce has donated more than $15,500 to our orphaned pets!

Applications are available at our Adoption Center and at Citizens Commerce Bank locations at 534 Marsailles Road and 231 South Main Street in Versailles or at 108 Sea Hero Street in Frankfort.

PHOTO: On April 20, 2010 CCNB presented our homeless animals with a Big Check! This incredible donation was generated by 2009 purchases made on the VISA. Please join us in thanking our friends at Citizens Commerce!

Back Row (L to R): Missie Wood (WHS Bookkeeper), Board Treasurer Steve South, Board President Peggy Maness with adoptable Tipper, CCNB VP of Operations Eli Barber, CCNB President and COO David Brown, and CCNB Loan Operations Supervisor Blythe Gayheart. Front Row (L to R): Board Member Susan Adams, Executive Director Diane Kops, Community Outreach Director Marty Vaughn with adoptable Asia.

Our pets seek homes at Equus Run Vineyard

Join us at Springtime in a Bottle at Equus Run Vineyards on April 24 as they debut their 2010 Derby Wines.

Pack a picnic and meet our orphaned pets in Midway as they look for forever homes.

Saturday, April 24
Noon-5:00pm

Live Music: Noon-4:00pm
Adoptable pets: Noon-4:00pm

Event is FREE. Wine Tasting (for those over 21) is $2.00. More info, call Equus Run at (859) 846-WINE

Make your pet a star!

May 1, 2010 is the last day to submit an image of your precious pet(s) to be included in our 6th Annual Limited Editions Calendar!

Our artful calendar is spiral bound and output in beautiful, warm sepia tones. It features stunning pet portraits from the talented Peggy Maness Photography and is packed full of friendly fur faces (pets need not have been adopted from Woodford Humane to be included) sent in from animal lovers, just like you!

Our calendar is an annual fund raising effort which directly raises monty to care for the homeless animals in our Adoption Center. Without any government funding, every image sent in truly helps pets in need!

Submission is easy so send in your favorite pet picture (or pictures) now. Image space starts at just $25 and sponsorships are also available.

Plan for a special holiday gift for your loved ones, submit their pets' photos and surprise them with our calendar as a personalized present! Our 2011 calendar debuts on Friday, September 17 at our special event called "Sniff n Mingle" hosted by Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Bronte Bistro, Lexington Green in Lexington, Kentucky. It's free to attend and you're friendly dog on a leash is also invited to join us!

For more info about pet photo submission, our calendar, or the Woodford Humane Society, email calendar@woodfordhumane.org

Join us as we celebrate 35 years!

Adoptable Gandhi is ready for our birthday party at our Adoption Center today from 4-6pm.

We planned our very special day with Woodford County Chamber of Commerce to host their Business After Hours event. We hope you join us!

If not, please visit our Adoption Center anytime and bring a gift for the animals! The Woodford Humane Society is a 501(c)3 non profit organization and does not receive any government funding.

Our animals need literally everything! For a complete list, visit our website.

Meet our longest residents

Meet our Longest Residents
Sandy Davis, Public Relations Director


Chelsea (2 year old, Brindle & White Terrier Mix) is our longest resident canine. She became homeless in January of 2009.

Ava (2 1/2 year old, domestic short hair black cat) is our longest resident feline. She became homeless when she was just 8 weeks old in July of 2007.

Both are lovable, gorgeous girls and we have no idea why they're waiting so long for their forever homes.



Chelsea's red collar and Ava's green toy have been donated to the Woodford Humane Society for the animals. Without any government funding and approximately 200 homeless pets in our care every day, we are in constant need of supplies. Some items on the animals' wish list include:

• Feline Pine Brand Kitty Litter
• Toys & Treats
• Grooming Supplies
• Stainless Steel Feeding Bowls
• Paper Towels
• Bleach
• Laundry Detergent
• Gasoline Cards
• Postage Stamps
• Copy Paper
• Paper Clips

Please note: The Woodford Humane Society is on the incredible Hill's Science Diet Shelter Program and feed our pets only Hill's. If you wish to donate food, please be certain it's Hill's brand so we can use it.

Please help us thank our volunteers.
Image of Chelsea by Volunteer Photographer Richard Labunski.
Image of Ava by Volunteer Photographer Regi Goffinet.
To become a Woodford Humane Society Volunteer, email our Community Outreach Director, Marty Vaughn.

It's our Birthday!

Happy 35th Birthday, Woodford Humane Society!
Sandy Davis, Public Relations Director

Imagine if the Woodford Humane Society didn’t exist. What would have happened to the over 1,000 animals we provided care for last year? And, to the thousands upon thousands of orphaned pets who found homes since we were founded in 1975?

Of course, no one wants to think of these answers or what it would be like if Woodford Humane were not serving our community’s homeless pets. No one wants to know how many perfect and precious pets die needlessly across this nation each year. It’s estimated that only 25% of pets nationwide who find themselves homeless will get adopted. 25% is not good enough. Today, the Woodford Humane Society finds forever homes for approximately 90% of our community’s homeless pets.

How could we possibly reach this unbelievable adoption rate? The credit goes to Woodford Humane Society’s founding Board of Directors (then called “membership”) which included Phil Mulholland, president; Julie Hahn, vice president; Barbara Walters, secretary; Betty Borowiak, treasurer, Dr. J. E. Barrows, Mrs. Zane Young, and Wendell Harris, directors; and Mrs. Greta Denny, special projects. This group of concerned citizens simply said, “No more.” On March 25, 1975, they created the Woodford Humane Society and began saving lives, one pet at a time. They started without a building, without funds or supplies, and, of course, without computers or the internet. What they did have was courage, will and determination to make changes for the animals. They worked closely with then dog warden, Clarence Jones. They looked into the future and led us to where we are today. It is because of our founders that we are able to draw strength and continue improving the lives of our community’s homeless pets while we work to find them a home.

Happy 35th Birthday, Woodford Humane Society! And a special thank you to all who make this organization possible - our Community, Founders, Board of Directors, Advisory Council, Volunteers, Supporters, Staff and, of course, to our furry friends. Together, we continue to reach a day where there are no more homeless pets. The Woodford Humane’s mission is SAVE: Spay/Neuter, Adopt, Volunteer, and Educate. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization without any government funding.

Help celebrate Woodford Humane’s birthday! Bring a birthday present for our homeless pets to our Adoption Center. We open every day at noon and are located on 265 Thomas Lane in Versailles. The animals always need toys and treats, paper towels and bleach or just a cuddle or a belly rub.

Or, stop by on our birthday. On Thursday March 25, our Adoption Center hosts Woodford County Chamber of Commerce’s “Chamber After Hours” social from 4-6pm. Free to attend and refreshments provided. For more information and to attend, visit woodfordcountyinfo.com.


This article written for and published by The Woodford Sun. March 18, 2010

Tobi’s “Paw of Love”

Tobi’s “Paw of Love”
Sandy Davis, Public Relations Director

When Ella and Jeremy brought Tobi home, they had no idea how much love this sweet Pit Bull Mix would bring into their lives. And, Tobi had no idea her forever home would be so wonderful!

“Tobi is an amazing dog who has taught us about love and responsibility,” says Jeremy. "She greets us at the door with her unconditional love and wagging tail." He adds, "Her calming effect has lowered my blood pressure.” Friendly Tobi also greets children, adults and other canines with her big smile.

She makes a great social coordinator to her “canine cousins” when they visit. As hostess, she makes sure each dog gets plenty of play and rest time. Sit, shake, speak, “inside” and “outside” are easy for this bright 5-year old. , by far, the fastest at the Dog Park, running circles around others. Jeremy shares that Tobi also makes a great assistant at the grill!

Best of all, Tobi loves to snuggle up close to Jeremy and Ella. She’ll curl up quietly by their side and gently place her “paw of love” on one of their laps as she sleeps. Tobi's sweet paw reminds them both just how much she loves them. And, Tobi reminds us all just how much comfort a canine’s love can offer.

A healthy pet is an altered pet!

Spay and Neuter Spotlight: A healthy pet is an altered pet!
By Beth Oleson, Adoptions Counselor

Pet owners, get out your party hats: February 23rd is Spay Day USA! We think every day should be spay day, but we’re taking this opportunity to put the spotlight on exactly why spaying or neutering your pet is such a good idea. Today we’ll be focusing on how altering your pet benefits you (and your loving dog or cat) directly through numerous health and behavior benefits.

First, the basics: if you have a female pet, she gets spayed; if you have a male pet, he gets neutered. The spay and neuter surgeries are fast, simple, and virtually bloodless, and while any surgical procedure can be stressful for an animal, the risks here are so minimal that they’re virtually nonexistent. Most veterinarians recommend having the surgery performed before your pet hits its first heat cycle – generally at or before 6 months of age. Early surgery is gaining popularity among vets, and is generally a requirement for adoption facilities, so if you have any questions about when to fix your pet, don’t hesitate to ask!

In addition to being crucial in the fight against pet overpopulation, spaying and neutering is just good sense, as far as your pet’s health is concerned. A spayed pet has less than a 1% chance of developing mammary tumors, compared to more than 50% in unspayed pets, and she will never be at risk for life-threatening uterine infections, ovarian or uterine cancer, or ovarian cysts, all of which are fairly common and require extensive surgery to combat. A neutered pet has a minimal chance of suffering from an enlarged prostate, compared with more than 60% of unneutered pets, and has a greatly reduced risk of suffering from prostate, testicular, or colon cancer, as well as a reduced chance of suffering a perineal hernia – a rupture of the abdominal wall.

If all of that isn’t enough of an incentive to spay or neuter your pet, consider the behavior benefits as well. 90% of aggression cases in males are resolved simply by getting them neutered! Urine-marking is an expression of territoriality that is fueled by testosterone, so if you’re in a constant battle with pet urine in your home, get that pet fixed! And female pets who are spayed will never go into heat, which means no more howling, yowling, escaping, and roaming…and no more cleaning up after a pet on its period. If that doesn’t sound good, we don’t know what does.
In these economic times, the cost of spaying or neutering a pet can be a burden; if the only thing standing between you and a healthy, well-behaved, altered pet is money, call us today to find out more about our low-cost spay and neuter voucher program. We’re here to help, for you, your pet, and all of the unwanted litters of puppies and kittens that are born each year. You can reach the Woodford Humane Society at our Adoption Center at 859.873.5491 or by email at manager@woodfordhumane.org.

This article written for The Woodford Sun. Published 2/4/2010
Featured adoptable pet: Burlap. To adopt, email manager@woodfordhumane.org