Mother Nature certainly didn't do ACS any favors this year during our Annual Yard Sale held June 6 through June 8, 2008.  Sure, it didn't rain but we had record highs in the 90's (although it felt like it was well over 100 degrees to us)!   Fortunately, our supporters didn't let the hot weather keep them away.  People came out in droves to sort through and take advantage of the many bargains offered with the final total for sales hitting right under $10,000!   

The Annual Yard Sale is probably the most labor-intensive of our fundraisers.  Starting in March of each year, we begin accepting donated items that have to priced, sorted, boxed up, and stored.  For the second year in a row, the people at P.O.D. generously donated PODS for much needed additional storage space.  The Thursday before the event, the thousands of items collected have to be hauled out and arranged by category in the parking lot of the shelter.  This is truly back-breaking work and the heat made the task this year that much more strenuous.   An endeavor of this magnitude requires a lot of help; as they have every year, our staff, volunteers, and Board Members admirably rose to the challenge. A former (and much-loved)volunteer even came all the way from North Carolina for the weekend to help us out!  Everyone worked tirelessly offering assistance wherever it was needed. Amazingly, several people who only came by to donate items actually stayed late into the night Thursday and helped us set everything up!   One lady thoughtfully brought boxes of Popsicles for everyone.   Another lady who adopted both of her dogs from ACS brought a cooler full of ice, fresh fruit, and cooling neck scarves (no telling how many heatstrokes those warded off).

So to everyone involved - whether you donated money or items, stopped to browse and/or purchase items, or volunteered your time - a huge THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.   The success we achieve year after year in helping hundreds of displaced dogs and cats find new homes is possible only because of your support and generosity!

Are you an animal-lover who isn't in a position to adopt a pet but still wants to help a dog, puppy, cat or kitten at ACS while it waits for its fur-ever home?   Well, we now have a way you can do just that!

Our Sponsor-A-Pet program provides you the opportunity to sponsor one or more of our wonderful furry guests for as little as $10 a month per animal for a three-month minimum commitment.  Pets can have multiple sponsors and people can sponsor multiple pets. 

You can sponsor a pet in memory of or in honor of a beloved person or pet.  For example, "Rover is sponsored by John and Jane Doe in loving memory of their beloved dog, Fluffy, who was a bad dog but a good friend."  Or you can give a sponsorship as a gift in honor of a special event such as a birthday, anniversary, or graduation.
 
If you'd like to participate in this worthwhile program, please stop by the shelter and pick up a SPONSOR-A-PET form or click on the green Sponsor-A-Pet tab to the left.  Within a few days of the receipt of your completed form and payment, you (or the recipient, if your sponsorship is a gift) will be sent a letter, along with the sponsored pet's photo, confirming sponsorship. During your sponsorship, your name (or the recipient's name, if your sponsorship is a gift) and/or the name of your business will be displayed on a sponsorship card at the shelter as well as on the sponsored pet's bio on our website.  Should the sponsored pet be adopted within your sponsorship commitment period, another pet will be selected for the duration of your sponsorship term.

Donations received through this sponsorship program will help us continue to provide the best possible care and environment for our canines and felines during their stay with us.  And, since ACS operates as a 501(c)(3) corporation, all donations are tax-deductible to the extent of the law!