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In this Issue: Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, Adopt Maple, Bullying Prevention Month, Barkapalooza 2025, Cartober, Domestic Violence Awareness, Fall Merch, NEPAW, and More | | |
Finding homes for "Underdogs" this Adopt A Shelter Dog Month! | |
There are so many rescue dogs waiting to be adopted. This Adopt A Shelter Dog Month, consider taking home a new best friend. All month long, you can 'Spin the Wheel' at our Adoption Center to save on your adoption fee!
We are so glad to be partnering with Gerald Subaru of Naperville and the ASPCA to highlight and help find homes for "Underdogs", such as senior dogs or animals with medical needs. Plus, Gerald Subaru of Naperville is covering the adoption fees for all "Underdogs" this October!
| Thank you for making Barkapalooza amazing! | |
Thank you SO much to everyone who was a part of our 32nd Annual Barkapalooza! It was an amazing day filled with wagging tails, delicious eats, great music, community, and compassion. We are excited to announce that we raised nearly $80,000 for dogs and cats in need! Whether you volunteered, participated, fundraised, sponsored, attended, or made a donation, your support made a lifesaving difference for the rescue animals at WSHS. We are so grateful to have such an incredible and kind community, thank you for being a champion for rescue animals!
Did you see us on the news? We were LIVE at Barkapalooza with Scott Schneider on Fox 32 Chicago, watch it HERE.
Thank you to our amazing sponsors: Gerald Subaru of Naperville, Friendly Vet, Oak Brook Kennel Club, Baig Of Tricks Entertainment, Bark Avenue Daycamp, Enjoy Your Dog, Emergency Veterinary Services, Mike Agruss Law, Suburban K9, Partners and Paws Veterinary Services, Urban Veterinary Associates, Robert Bair Plumbing Heating & Air, Artistic Dog Grooming, Happy Dog Barkery, Lisle Savings Bank, Midwest Waste Consultants, Thrivent, VCA West Suburban Veterinary Hospital, VCA Aurora & VCA Arboretum View, and Leafguard.
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Driving Change with Cartober! | |
Vehicle donations have the potential to drive thousands of dollars for West Suburban Humane Society. This year, we’re participating in Cartober – a national campaign that raises awareness around this powerful means of giving.
You can participate in Cartober and support West Suburban Humane Society by donating your unwanted car, truck, motorcycle, RV, or boat. The process is easy and free, and we’ll use the proceeds to help rescue dogs and cats.
Donate a vehicle:
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Call 855-227-1822 or start your donation online HERE.
- Schedule your free and convenient pick-up.
- Once your vehicle is sold, we’ll then send you the paperwork for your tax-deductible gift.
If you don’t have a vehicle to donate yourself, maybe you know someone who does!
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WSHS Staff participated in Wear Purple Day for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Purple is used to symbolize courage, survival, and hope for those affected by domestic violence.
How and why are domestic violence and animal abuse related? According to the Domestic Violence Awareness Project and NIH Public Health Research:
- Abusive partners often use the bond between victims and their companion animals to control, manipulate, and isolate. Abusers threaten, injure, and at times kill pets in order to create an environment of fear within the home.
- Research indicates that 20% to 65% of domestic violence victims delay leaving a dangerous situation because they don’t know where to place or how to protect their pets. Some survivors return because they fear for the animals’ safety.
- Up to 70% of domestic violence victims have pets. Of those with pets, 48% to 71% report that their pets have been abused or killed.
- Often, companion animals can become victims during family violence, or used as pawns by the perpetrators to instill and enforce fear and control over their partner and children, creating interlocking systems of companion animal abuse, child abuse, and family violence.
Help is available locally if you or someone you know is in crisis. You can call the WINGS Program 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline at (847) 221-5680 or go to https://wingsprogram.com/
| It's National Estate Planning Awareness Week! We're partnering with FreeWill to make estate planning easy. Learn more and make a free plan HERE. | | |
If Maple had a résumé, it would be impressive.
She’s house-trained, leash-trained, treat-motivated, and knows all her commands. She’s playful, has mastered the art of the cuddle, and perfected her signature head tilt, guaranteed to melt your heart.
She’s also gathered quite the fan club. Volunteer Mandy visits several times a week for walks and playtime. Foster Mom Cristina brings her home whenever she’s not traveling. And Maple has plenty of staff and volunteer admirers cheering her on every day. There are even Maple merch items available!
The only role Maple hasn’t landed yet is Beloved Family Dog. But she’s more than ready for it, with her tail wagging and her heart wide open!
If you’ve been thinking about adding a dog to your life, Maple would love to audition for the part. She’s got the talent, the charm, and a whole lot of love to give.
| On World Day of Bullying Prevention, WSHS Staff and Volunteers wore blue to #BlueUp and spread awareness in partnership with STOMP Out Bullying! During October for National Bullying Prevention Month, we are celebrating with a "Kindness Wall" to share encouraging and kind messages. | |
Our Executive Director, Carolyn Mossberger, is celebrating 25 years of work at the West Suburban Humane Society this month! Carolyn has dedicated her career to advancing animal welfare and improving the lives of homeless pets. Throughout her tenure, she has overseen countless successful adoptions, implemented progressive shelter practices, and cultivated a compassionate, community-focused team.
Before becoming the Executive Director, she served on the WSHS Board of Directors for five years; two as Recording Secretary and three as President, and she was a kennel volunteer for twelve years. Thank you for everything Carolyn!
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Upcoming Humane Education Classes
Barks & Books - Tuesdays at 4:00pm, Grades K-5
Cat Tales - Wednesdays at 3:30pm, Grades K-5
Dinner and a Movie (Beethoven) - Friday, October 24th, 5:00-7:30pm, Grades 2-8
Halloween Animal Game Day: Doggies and Kitties and Goblins... Oh My! - Saturday, October 25th, 10:30am-12:00pm, Grades K-5
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Join our Board of Directors!
Do you want to make a deeper impact on rescue animals in need? We are seeking mission-aligned individuals with professional expertise in Law or Public Relations. If you are interested in using your legal expertise and leadership to help support our lifesaving work, let us know.
To begin the application process, please send your resume to director@wshs-dg.org (Please use this subject line: “Board of Directors Application [Your Name]”)
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New Fall Merch!
T-shirts, Magnets, Mugs, Hoodies, Bags, and More! Check out these fun new merch designs, wear your support for WSHS. Some items are limited edition, so make sure to get your spooky season designs before Halloween!
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Become a Paw Pal!
WSHS is funded entirely by animal lovers just like you. Become a Paw Pal by signing up to give monthly, every dollar helps!
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR MISSION
Because of you, we are able to provide shelter and love for homeless dogs and cats!
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The West Suburban Humane Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
EIN: 23-7355420
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