In The News

The Animal Shelter of the Wood River Valley, Idaho’s first “no-kill” shelter, will have it annual benefit, dinner and auction on July 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Trail Creek Cabin.
 
The shelter draws more than 90 percent of its funding from private donations. This annual event, attended by more than 300 people last year, is the largest source of the shelter’s operating expenses.
 
"Our shelter, like shelters across the nation, has been overwhelmed the past few years with the numbers of animals that need help," says Jo-Anne Dixon, D.V.M., executive director/medical director. "With so many folks facing the realities of this new economy, the demand on shelter services has risen exponentially. The current economic climate has caused a decrease in private donations, threatening our ability to provide lifesaving services at a time when the need is perhaps the greatest."

The shelter has received national news coverage in the past year for its programs, which include the following:
·     Paws for Hunger, in which the shelter works with The Hunger Coalition to provide pet food for needy families so that animals already in loving homes need not be surrendered.

·     Canine Good Citizens program, in which the shelter enrolls hard-to-adopt breeds such as pit bull and Rottweiler mixes, for certification by the American Kennel Club that they have basic good canine manners.

·     Adams Gulch Hikin’ Buddies, in which the shelter takes a van full of dogs to the popular local hiking spot each Wednesday in the summer, and asks people to take a shelter dog for a walk.

·     No-cost spay and neuter services are available for dogs and cats when the owner is unable to pay the cost.
 
More than 1,500 animals received services from the shelter last year. This includes 350 animals that were adopted, 252 lost animals that were reunited with their owners, 255 shelter animals spayed/neutered, and 387 privately owned animals that were spayed or neutered at no cost to their owners. On an average day, the shelter cares for 45 dogs and 45 cats.
 
This year’s program will include a raffle for a $10,000 gift certificate at Atkinsons’ Market, as well as more than 200 auction items. Auction items range from a trip to the 2011 Westminster Dog show to a performance by entertainer Joe Cannon at a private party for 30 to a selection of more than 35 birdhouses made and decorated by local volunteers. Artist Kim Howard also has donated an original painting.
 
Raffle tickets are on sale at a number of local businesses, and the winner does not have to be present.
 
“Trail Creek Cabin is a beautiful venue. The shelter dinner is a wonderful way to spend an evening with friends, buy special auction items from local businesses that support the shelter, and enjoy the bounty of our valley. We have had more than 325 attendees each of the past two years and have raised the funds to continue and expand services, all through the generosity and support of the community,” said Jan Main, benefit co-chair and president of the shelter board of directors.
 
Sponsors this year include “Top Dog” Sherry Daech, “Perfect Pooch” Scottevest, “Cool Cats” Jan and Bob Main of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, and Atkinsons’ Markets, Baldy Biscuit Co., Callen Development, Ruscitto/Latham /Blanton Architecture, Sun Country Management, Bellisiomo, Hailey Coffee Company, High Altitude Fitness, Invisible Fence of South, Wells Fargo Bank and Wood River Insurance.
 
Tickets are still available. Contact Main at (208) 788-6661.
 
Additional information is available by calling (208) 788-4351 on the Internet at www.animalshelterwrv.org.