‘Tis the Season for Giving

By Diane Blankenburg

The holiday season is traditionally a time for giving. In fact, it is the most generous time of year for many people. We just spent this last week giving time and gifts to family and friends that we hold dear. Historically, December is also a time when there is a surge of charitable donations—not just because people want to meet end-of-the-year tax deadlines but also because of their special connections and relationships with specific charities.

We are very fortunate to have connections to Nevada Humane Society (NHS)—even if it’s only to live in the same city. This organization has been the safety net for well over 9,000 animals this year, as well helping many thousands more through low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, pet food assistance, and their free Animal Help Desk. It has become a stand-out shelter in the country and held up as a model by national organizations.

Because of NHS’s great success in saving orphaned pets, this community has rallied in support—from children to adults, individuals to businesses giving pennies to thousands. Here are a few recent examples that touched my heart and made me proud to live here.

• A little girl came into the shelter on Cupcake Day to see Santa and more importantly, donate her tooth fairy money to the animals.
• NV Energy showed up a couple of weeks ago with two carloads full of items to benefit the shelter animals.
• A teenage girl, instead of receiving presents for her Sweet 16 party, asked that her guests make donations NHS.
• Lifestyle Homes Foundation is once again renewing their grant to spay large-breed dogs.
• A senior has been furiously crocheting holiday-themed cat beds and recently brought in her current batch—she has made over 8,000 in total.
• Circus Circus just delivered a truckload of quilts for animal bedding.
• Another supporter just set up a fund in memory of her recently deceased border collie to help border collies get treated and adopted.

It’s not too late to help the animals this year with a monetary donation or even donations of pet food and supplies. If you would like to be a part of the Nevada Humane Society family through a donation, you can do so online (NevadaHumaneSociety.org), by phone (775-856-2000), or by mail or in person (2825 Longley Lane, Reno 89502). You not only get a charitable donation tax deduction, but most importantly, the satisfaction of giving to deserving homeless pets that cannot help themselves.

Events that Help Homeless Pets:

Home 4 the Holidays Pet Adoption Drive at Nevada Humane Society. Adult dogs: 450, adult cats: free. Open 7 days a week for pet adoptions at 2825 Longley Lane, 11:00 am to 6:30 pm and an hour earlier at 10:00 am on Saturdays.

Lights of Love Tribute. A $10 contribution to Nevada Humane Society lights a white light for each pet you wish to remember or a colored light for each pet you wish to honor. For more info, call 775-856-2000 or visit nevadahumanesociety.org.

Everyday Miracles

by Bonney Brown

While this is certainly the season for miracles, the Nevada Humane Society (NHS) staff is in the business of creating lifesaving miracles for orphaned pets everyday of the year. The animals’ stories often start out sad, even heartbreaking, but more often than not the results are heartwarming.

For example, there’s Pippin, a sweet little black lab only four months old. He arrived at the NHS shelter thin, covered in dandruff and limping badly—the result of a broken leg.

Pippin received the surgery he needed to save his leg as well as the care and time he needed to grow into a strong and happy pup—creating the promise of a better life ahead. When he was fully recovered, he was adopted and is fulfilling his life’s mission of being a loving best friend.

Jack, a tiny slip of a kitten with a determined spirit, arrived at NHS with a serious cold and eye infections so severe his eyes were sealed shut. He was wandering around outdoors in this vulnerable condition until a kind person brought him to the shelter.

After medical treatment, Jack went into a foster home with a doting and experienced foster mom. One of Jack’s eyes healed beautifully but the other did not. The surgery to remove his damaged eye was performed in the NHS Clinic and he was renamed Captain Jack which seemed to suit this cute, furry, one-eyed pirate. Losing an eye did not slow him down one bit; to the contrary, he continued to grow, becoming even more playful each day and was soon ready for a home of his own.

Pippin and Captain Jack are only two of the nearly 9,200 dogs, cats and other animals this year that relied upon Nevada Humane Society for shelter, lifesaving care, love and a new home.

While the staff and volunteers are incredibly dedicated, each of the thousands of lives saved this year was a miracle made possible by the generosity of individuals like you. (NHS does not receive any government support.) Pippin, Captain Jack and each of the other animals saved would thank you themselves, if they could. But I am please to let you know, on their behalf, that your gifts throughout the year have created a new life and a happy holiday for so many of our community’s furry friends.

Events that Help Animals

Home 4 the Holidays Pet Adoption Drive Adult dogs: $50, adult cats: free. Nevada Humane Society is open 7 days a week for pet adoption, 11 am to 6:30 pm and an hour earlier at 10 am on Saturdays.

Lights of Love Tribute: A $10 contribution lights a white light for each pet you wish to remember or a colored light for each pet you wish to honor. Great gift idea! For more info, call 775-856-2000 or visit nevadahumanesociety.org.

So Many Reasons to Give Thanks…

By Kevin Ryan

I am proud to join the incomparable Bonney Brown and Diane Blankenburg in the writing of this column.  Mercifully, for you the reader, I will only appear every third edition.  Thus, you will still be treated to the voices of Bonney and Diane.  I hope I can live up to their example.

As a recent transplant to Reno, this is my first holiday season in the Truckee Meadows.  As I adjust to the falling temps and falling snow (I haven’t seen the white stuff in two plus years!), I am reminded of all that I have to be grateful for— tis the season, right?  I am so fortunate to have found a community like Reno to call home, a place of incredible natural beauty, extraordinary people and infinite altruism.  I almost immediately recognized why so many folks find their way here and never leave.  There is something special about this place.  One such example of this community’s unique and pioneering spirit is Nevada Humane Society (NHS).

Reno is one of the safest communities in the nation to be a lost or forgotten pet.  No treatable animal loses their life simply because they have the misfortune to find their way into a shelter.  The Reno-Sparks area has forged itself into a no-kill community; this is no small achievement and NHS is leading this charge.  The reality of what’s happening in our community is pretty staggering.  A quick snapshot of 2012:

• NHS adopted out nearly 9,000 animals
• NHS provided spay/neuter procedures for over 9,500 animals.
• NHS’s Animal Help Desk fielded over 20,000 requests.
• NHS took in over 90% of the animals entering Washoe County shelters.
• NHS had a 93% save rate

I know these statistics can be hard to fathom and can make even the most dedicated bean counter’s head spin, but the conclusions that can be drawn are simple and profound.  We are one of the most humane communities in America in the stewardship of companion animals.  When communities across the country look to increase the number of animals they save, they look to Reno and NHS.  We are a leader and a national model—you should be very proud.  This is a community effort.  Numerous organizations, rescue groups, individuals, and families contribute to this monumental effort and breathtaking accomplishment.

This holiday season, I am thankful to call Reno and Nevada Humane Society home.

Events that Help Animals

Home for the Holidays Pet Adoption Drive at Nevada Humane Society through January 1. Adopt a pet and help reach the goal of finding homes for 1,200 pets. Special adoption fees are $50 for most adult dogs and fees are waived for adult cats. Shelter located at 2825 Longley Lane, Reno. Open 11:00 am to 6:30 pm daily and 10:00 am to 6:30 pm Saturdays.

Lights of Love at Nevada Humane Society through January 1. Purchase a Lights of Love tribute in honor of a cherished pet for $10. Lights are displayed at the NHS shelter throughout the holiday season and the gift recipient receives a certificate. Shelter located at 2825 Longley Lane, Reno. Open 11:00 am to 6:30 pm daily and 10:00 am to 6:30 pm Saturdays.