Helping Your Local Humane Society...easy as 1, 2, 3!!!

Do you love animals and want to help them? Do you see commercials on television and wish there was more you could do? Many of us have and are left feeling helpless because we don't have the money to make a monthly donation. You don't have to have any money at all to have love and compassion and the important thing to remember in helping these animals is...think local!

Many of you may be familiar with the Brown County Humane Society located at 1301 South Valley Street in New Ulm, MN. For those of you who are not, the BCHS is a no-kill shelter that takes in and cares for animals that are strays, have been surrendered, and have been rescues in abuse and neglect cases. The BCHS is also a wonderful starting point in donating your time, strengths, resources and love to animals in need. Did you realize that helping your local Humane Society can be as easy as cutting out a UPC label or dropping off aluminum cans? You can make a huge difference in the lives of dogs and cats by doing what may seem like very little. Gerald Woodley, Co-chair, board member, and BCHS volunteer generously took the time to answer my questions on how individuals in the community can help the Brown County Humane Society.

The BCHS is always in need of cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bleach, dog/cat/kitten food that is new or used, moist or dry as well as cat and dog toys, and new or used blankets and towels. If you have items collecting dust in drawers or closets that you think could be of use please drop them off at the BCHS. Aluminum cans can also be dropped off at the BCHS in an outside bin and these cans alone can bring in over $3,500.00 each year! Used ink cartridges can be recyled by the BCHS and can bring in over $250.00 a year. If you shop at Hy-Vee Foods and purchase either the Hy-Vee brand or Country Fare brand you can cut out the UPC labels and bring them in to the shelter. For each UPC that is turned in the BCHS will get five cents. This may seem like nothing but ends up bringing in $150.00 to $200.00 each year to the shelter! Campbells soup UPC's can also be collected and dropped off at the shelter and as with Hy-Vee labels, each returned label will become five cents for the BCHS. If you shop at Cash Wise Foods you may be familiar with Pet Points. Once $150.00 worth of Pet Points are collected you can turn them in at customer service for a $10.00 gift card. Many people opt to bring these gift cards to the Humane Society. Each month the BCHS recieves around $30.00 in gift cards which are used to purchase dog and cat food, cat litter, treats, etc. This may not seem like a lot but if you do the math you'll find that these gift cards add up to the shelter recieving around $360.00 worth each year! Donations can be dropped off at the Brown County Humane Society each morning from 8 AM to 11 AM or during adoptions on Saturdays from 11 AM to 2 PM. If you have UPC labels, items, or ink cartridges to bring in to the shelter and these times do not work for you please call the BCHS at (507) 359-2312 to arrange a drop off time.

For the individuals that would like to take a more hands on approach in helping the animals at the BCHS, volunteer options abound! Gerald Woodley explained that people are always needed to walk dogs, do cat chores (cleaning cages and feeding the cats), do dog chores (cleaning kennels and feeding the dogs), pick up laundry detail and even do some office work. Mr. Woodley also said that individuals are always needed for lawn mowing, snow shoveling, helping with fundraisers, and making minor repairs. The BCHS is very flexible with volunteer hours and are able to work with any potential volunteers. If you are interested in working with the cats please call Deb at the BCHS at (507)359-2312. If you are interested in working with the dogs please contact Jerry at the same telephone number. If you are interested in offering a service or skills such as small repairs or caring for the lawn please call the BCHS and ask who to speak with or leave a message for the volunteers to contact you.

Aside from hands on volunteering and non-monetary donations, the BCHS is always in need of help with their annual fundraisers. According to Gerald Woodley the largest fundraiser is the Wine, Beer, and Food tasting event which is held each November. The 2011 event brought almost $10,000.00 to the shelter. Each August the BCHS has an annual dog walk that brings in about $4,500.00 for the animals at the shelter.During Herbergers Community Days, coupon book sales bring in about $1,500.00 . Another annual event, Jail and Bail is held each year in late February or early March. During this event volunteers call friends, family, and neighbors to ask for money to 'get out of jail'. Gerald stated that once a " volunteer said she was a "Cat Buglar" and I got a pair of handcuffs from the police department and borrowed a prison outfit from a friend. " He also said that he "...went throughout the neighborhood and collected money. One donor gave us money to keep the handcuffs on me." At the last Jail and Bail $4,000.00 was raised! To be a part of these events and keep the fun in fundraising please call the BCHS and ask for details on how and when you can help. The Brown County Humane Society also has numerous 'smaller' fundraisers including a bake sale each December, a McDonald's Night, Pizza Ranch tip nights, and the Cash Wise brat stand. If you wish to make a monetary donation there are BCHS donation boxes at the New Ulm Vet Center, Dairy Queen, Hy-vee Liquor, Cash Wise Liquor, Liquor Mart, the Brown County Humane Society, etc. Money collected from these donation boxes can bring in roughly $650.00 a year.

For the book lovers out there, Sven and Oles Books has an ongoing program called Humane Society Book Angels. Each time you purchase a book and tell them you are a Humane Society Book Angel, they will donate 20% to the BCHS. You can also buy books online and have them delivered in which case a 6% donation will be made. On April 28, 2012, Sven and Oles Books will also be holding a fundraiser for the BCHS. Two local authors, Jim Jenson who wrote Threads of Evidence and Jill Katz who writes childrens' books will be autographing copies of their books at Sven and Oles with the proceeds going to the BCHS.

There are so many ways to help animals in need locally that it can be hard to keep track! It is important to note that the Brown County Humane Society is a no-kill shelter run solely by volunteers. Every penny brought in from fundraising events, UPC labels, aluminum cans, etc. goes directly to the care of the animals. This care covers veterinary costs, medication and surgery costs where applicable, litter, food, treats, toys, cleaning products, etc. So please, if you can't open up your wallet, open up your heart and make a choice to create a positive change for these animals. Every act of kindness is appreciated and no act is too small!