Help the Shelter win a MILLION DOLLAR Makeover!




 

Activity on zootoo.com is measured with points and each review, rating, and picture upload gives the Shelter more points!




 

Win $250 CASH for banking the MOST number
of Zootoo POINTS!


 

Want to learn more about a free, fast, easy way to win some cash after the holidays? We could ALL use some spare change right? Imagine winning some money AND helping animals? Even better! Did you know that 70% of Americans don’t even know where their local animal shelter is located?

Here’s how you can help the Animal Shelter, Inc. of Sterling win a MILLION dollar makeover:

• Go to www.zootoo.com/register/referrer/leigh.
   
• Make sure you enter the shelter ZIP CODE 01564—or Animal Shelter, Inc. of Sterling, MA in the drop-down box.
   
• Check your email to confirm your account has been set up. Activity on zootoo.com is measured with points and each review, rating, and picture upload gives the shelter more points and increases the chances of winning. Post daily, get friends and family to sign up and keep coming back. There are a lot of easy, fun, free things you can do to help us bank those points! It’s almost like a Myspace for pets and their people! The contest runs through April 1, 2008, so the Shelter staff is encouraging the community to use Zootoo.com daily or as often as possible (writing reviews, discussing news, or even trying a free sample) rewards you with points. Points help the Shelter win the makeover contest. The Shelter hopes the community will spread the word and tell friends and family too!

Make sure
you, AND
YOUR PETS,
are ready for an emergency!

Register your pets now!
 

There is now a National Pet Registry website that offers free pet registrations! This is an effort to help local and emergency officials better respond in the event of a disaster. By knowing where pets are located, officials can plan evacuations and provide Shelter accordingly.

Please take a look at the LittleMeNot (http://www.LittleMeNot.com/) website and help us spread the word on how important it is for everyone to register their pets!

Thank you!!!
The team at LittleMeNot.com.

The Whisker Walk will be great fun for you AND your pooch!

Join in on
the fun!

Read more about how you can help the Shelter throughout the year!

Create YOUR OWN fundraising page to help the Shelter pets.

Win prizes and awards!

Mark your calendars! The Shelter will be holding our 1st Annual Whisker Walk on Sunday,
June 8, 2008 at the Lancaster Fairground in Lancaster, MA.

This is great fun for both you and your pooch! It is a walk-a-thon fundraiser that provides a wonderful opportunity for the rescued pets and community to come together, take a walk on acres of beautiful and scenic recreational trails in Lancaster and enjoy a fun-filled morning. We will have entertainment, great incentive prizes, and contests. The Whisker Walk is our 1st attempt at a walk to help end the tragedy of pet homelessness. The Whisker Walk is all about families and their pets. In today's world, family means different things to different people.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?

• Individual walker: Walk with your community, raise money for The Animal Shelter, Inc. of Sterling’s Shelter animals and programs, you can win exciting prizes!
   
• Virtual walker: Can’t make it to the walk? You can still create your own fundraising page and the money you raise will help more than 3,500 animals whose lives are touched each year by our Shelter in Sterling, MA.
   
• Teams: Join a team or create your own! Teams are groups of two or more walking together for the cause. The options are limitless and very fun — team ideas include coworkers sponsored by their supportive companies, community organizations, neighbors from specific local streets, memorials, and friends walking together just for the fun of it! Many teams identify themselves with signs or matching outfits - providing a great opportunity for companies to show their support for the animals in our community.
   
• Schools: Students, tell your teachers! Teachers, tell your students! Schools can have a great time walking together to help the animals and receive recognition for being a powerful source of service in our community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP?
Calling all Shelter supporters, alumni parents, pet lovers and donors!

So many wonderful families have touched the lives of our Shelter adoptees. Many of you have asked HOW you can help the Shelter throughout the year. Well, here is your chance to give us a helping paw!

• Do you run a business or work at a pet friendly business? We are making a plea for goodies for the raffle and silent auction that are people or pet-related! Here are some ideas:
   

  Gift baskets or bags A weekend away Coupons or gift certificates A dinner at a nice restaurant Doggie grooming

  Boarding for a pet Hair products for people or pets Carpet cleaning Tickets to a museum or other event ...you name it and we'll love it!

We can and will also provide a receipt for your taxes!

• Create YOUR OWN fundraising page to help our pets! It is easy, click here for more information: http://www.firstgiving.com/sterlinganimalshelter. Be creative!!! On your customized webpage or website, you can raise money for the pets and programs at our Shelter.

Prizes and awards will be given to top fundraisers, top team fundraisers, top fundraiser for kids 16 years and younger, most creative, and unique webpage created for this fundraising event!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE OFTEN FOR MORE INFORMATION!
 

Help your pets remain happy and healthy during the colder months.

In many areas, winter is a season
of bitter cold and numbing wetness.

Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy.

Please keep your pets warm and safe during the winter months.

Outdoor pets. Some pets are better suited than others for living outdoors. There is a common misconception that dogs will be "fine" if left outside. This is not true! All pets need adequate shelter from the elements and insulation against cold weather. Pets should not be left outside for long periods in freezing weather—like humans, they can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite.

The young and the senior pets are especially at risk. Certain breeds, such as Huskies and Samoyeds are better suited to very cold weather, but the majority of dogs need your help and intervention. Indoor accommodations are best during extreme temperature drops, but if that is not possible, set up a suitable house in an area protected from wind, rain, and snow. Insulation, such as straw or blankets will help keep in body heat. If your animal is prone to chewing, do not use blankets or material that can be ingested. Cedar shavings can be irritating to the skin, so use with caution depending on your pet‚s hair coat.

Caution—do not use a heat lamp, space heater, or other device not approved for use with animals. This is a burn hazard for your pet and a fire hazard. Pet supply vendors sell heated mats for pets to sleep on or to be placed under a dog house, but read and follow directions carefully before use.

Fresh water is a must at all times! Pets are not able to get enough water from licking ice or eating snow. A heated dish is a wonderful tool for cold climates. The water stays cold, but doesn’t freeze. Caution needed for animals that may chew. Outdoor pets require additional food for energy and maintaining body heat in harsh climates.

Foot care. Dogs walking in snowy areas may get large ice balls between their pads, causing the dog to limp. Be sure to keep ice clear from this area. For dogs that have a lot of hair between the pads, keeping it clipped shorter will help with ice ball formation. Dog boots offer protection to those dogs that will tolerate wearing them. See what our viewers have to say about canine paw care and boots.

Salt and chemical de-icers. Pets who walk on sidewalks that have been "de-iced" are prone to dry, chapped, and potentially painful paws. This will encourage the pet to lick their paws, and ingestion may cause gastrointestinal irritation and upset. Wash off your pet‚s feet after an outing with a warm wet cloth or footbath.

Frozen lakes and ponds. Animals don't realize what "thin ice" is. Once they fall in, it is very difficult for them to climb out and hypothermia is a very real and life-threatening danger. "Ice skating" dogs are prone to injuries, such as cruciate tears if allowed to "skate" with their humans. This is also true of icy walks.

Antifreeze Dangers. Thirsty and curious pets will lap up antifreeze. Just a few licks can be fatal. Lock up antifreeze containers and clean up spills immediately. For more information, please read the article about antifreeze toxicity.

Heat-seekers beware!. will seek warmth where they can get it, and that may be the warm engine of a car just parked. Before staring your car, knock on the hood or honk the horn to scare off any cats—and prevent tragedy.

Arthritic animals. Arthritis is worse during cold and damp weather. Take special care to handle your pet gently, watch out for icy walks, provide soft (and possibly heated) bedding, and administer any necessary medications. See your veterinarian if your pet is arthritic or you suspect arthritis.

If your pet sleeps in the garage... As mentioned earlier, be on the alert for any antifreeze leakage or antifreeze containers left out where they could spill or be chewed on. Also, do NOT start the car in a closed garage—for your safety and your pet‚s safety—carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer.

Want to help the Shelter? Have you considered our Recurring Giving system. This convenient system allows you to automatically make a donation to the Sterling Shelter every month via credit card or checking account. This is an extremely powerful fundraising method that can allow the Shelter to save thousands of additional animals every year with a donation as small as $2.00 per month from you. Thank you for your support!