March 18, 2013, Club Bulletin, 456

Program for March 18, 2013: Aquatic Organisms in the Mississippi by Paul Mayes

Invocation: Chris Ingstad

Happy News: Kelly put in a $1 for the celebration of Kasey OKelly's birthday!! (Just a bit of Irish going on!!)  We sang Happy Birthday to the February and March birthdays..of which there were many!!

Program: Todd Poci introduced Chris McGinnis the Director of the Muscatine Humane Society.  Chris did a nice job updating us on the mission and program provided by the society.  The late Nancy Kent provided the resources to begin the society in the early 70's.  The City of Muscatine has a strong partnership with the Muscatine Humane Society but does not run the facility.  There are 22-2500 animals housed at the facility in a year.  Most of these animals are strays.  Only about 2% of the owners ever come to claim their pet.

There is a substantial process in place to be sure that animals being adopted out fit the family and are fit for a family.  Medical and temperment tests are provided as standard fair.  In order to adopt a pet one must be at least 18 years of age, and not live in rental property.  An online application can be completed at Pets 911.  One can check out potential adoptees at Petfinder.com and by checking visual boards at HyVee, WalMart and Tony's Tropical.

Chris is proud of the Canine Activity Center of Muscatine which provides training for dogs.  A gift was given to the society to provide the center which is well utilized by evening classes for many levels of dog training.  Major fund raising events include the Valentine Apple Project which nets about $20,000 annually.  Another very successful event is Animal Week at which 30-50 animals are adopted by the community.  This event features a showcasing of a specific dog at a visible location in the community.