Bring the family and join us for not only a morning of fun, but as a way to help support and celebrate the opening of PCHS' Loving Paws Adoption Center!

Saturday, November 5, 2011 – 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Registration and Packet Pick-Up Time: 7:15 a.m.
Crocker Community Park, Crocker, MO

Register online by clicking the Loving Paws 5k Run link on our menu or download an application. Applications are also available at Pulaski County Visitors’ Center, Waynesville City Hall, area veterinarian offices, St Robert Fitness, and Waynesville Animal Shelter.

For more information or questions, please call Barb Easterla at (573) 452-3862

It is that time of year again when we begin finalizing the plans for our annual meeting. As in years past, it will be held at the Baymont Inn and Suites in St. Robert. We thank them for hosting us again this year.

At the annual meeting we will recap events and highlights of the past year. It has been a year packed with activity and we have branched out in to many new areas while maintaining our ongoing missions. Board members, officers and committee chairs will be making reports concerning their various areas. This is a great opportunity to see what the Pulaski County Humane Society does.

Most importantly, we will be presenting our slate of board members to be elected to the board. All active members of PCHS are eligible to vote on this slate. We encourage all to attend this meeting so you have a voice in the governing of this organization. You may become a member at this meeting simply by filling out the form and paying the membership dues – so don’t let that be a barrier to “having your say”.

Active members are not only eligible to vote – they can also run for the board. We anticipate at least three vacancies on our board of ten. If you are interested in running, please e-mail us at pchumanesociety@gmail.com.

Board members must be willing to sacrifice a minimum of 2-5 hours per week volunteer time to keep up with e-mail traffic and issues. Most board members will have an office or be assigned a committee for which they will be responsible. Attending the second Monday of the month meetings are a must unless there are special circumstances. Board members are expected to assist with events and fund raising efforts of their choosing at least 6 times per year.

We are looking for dedicated individuals willing to share and give time in order to guide this organization into the next level. We have experienced a tremendous amount of growth in the past 18 months and our group needs the strong guidance of its board. Being a board member does not need to directly involve rescue and fostering. The duty of the board is to govern the organization and manage its affairs.

We hope to see many attend this meeting, lots of new members join, and new and energetic community members wanting dedicate time to our organization. The meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and will be preceded by light snacks and refreshments.

On to another topic – I have been receiving feedback lately concerning animal control issues in the county. PCHS volunteers have no authority to address these issues.

If you live in the city limits contact the authorities for that city. They will deal with the issue as effectively and efficiently as they can. They are welcome to contact our animal care coordinator (and have the information on how to do so) if they would like to ask for assistance.

If in the county, enforcing animal abuse laws is the responsibility of local police or county officers. Animal neglect occurs when a person has custody or ownership or both of an animal and fails to provide adequate care or adequate control, which results in substantial harm to the animal. Intentional abuse is knowingly depriving an animal of food, water, shelter or veterinary care or maliciously torturing, maiming, mutilating, or killing an animal. Refer to Missouri Revised Statute 578.012 for penalties and 578.005 for definition of “adequate care and control.”

I believe that these laws should be upheld like any other laws and it is unacceptable to allow anything less. Calls to our organization will not get that done. Please document animal abuse and neglect incidents, contact law enforcement, and follow through. Take pictures if you can do so without trespassing. PCHS would like to be made aware of cases so we can be prepared to assist law enforcement, but again – we are not the enforcing agency. Do not stand for abuse and neglect. It will not change unless the community makes their opinions known to the government of this county.

Until they all have a home…
Kimberly E Fuhr, PCHS President

* Foster Homes - We are in need of more foster homes for pets in our area. Please contact petfinder.pchs@gmail.com if you are able to assist by fostering a pet. PCHS helps with food and pays for all medical needs of the pet while in foster care, all we need are loving homes to care for them while they look for their forever home. Whether you can care for just one dog or an entire litter, it would be greatly appreciated.

* Grant Writing - There are many opportunities for grants available for our cause and we are in need of a volunteer to collaborate on grant writing.

* Shelter Manager Needed - Pulaski County Humane Society is currently seeking applicants for our shelter that will be opening in the near future. If you would like to apply, you can access the application at http://tinyurl.com/pchsapp

We have an online calendar - Pulaski County Humane Society now has a public calendar of events online at: http://tiny.cc/pchscalendar

New email list open to PCHS members and non-members is now available. This is a semi-moderated open-discussion list that is available for use by anyone interested in the happenings of the Pulaski County Humane Society. To join the email list visit: http://groups.google.com/group/pulaski-county-humane-society

For those wishing to volunteer your services, please contact:
Karen Rossfeld – Volunteer Coordinator Chairperson
(907) 350-2381

For those wishing to volunteer as a foster home for an animal, please contact: petfinder.pchs@gmail.com or leave a message at 573-774-0067

In the past, our meetings have been very casual and we have used relaxed rules of order. Due to the volume of activity we are now involved in we must be more efficient when conducting business at our meetings. You will find the board members seated at a table and chairs available for visitors to sit and observe. This is not to make anyone feel unwelcome- just so that we can be more efficient. Most of the meeting should involve reports with very little discussion and planning unless there is a motion on the floor.

Most of our activity and discussion will be taking place prior to the meetings by utilizing committees- whose chairpersons will report at the meetings. Anyone wishing to be on the agenda should request such in writing 24 hours prior to the meeting: (pchumanesociety@gmail.com)

As always we welcome the public to attend our monthly business meetings.