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Monday, February 27, 2006
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Pets star in Little Falls telethon
Senior Reporter LITTLE FALLS - Cute, cuddly puppies perfect for holding first attracted 10-year-old Hannah Kampa to the animal shelter in Little Falls.
And she quickly discovered that volunteering there meant she could spend more time with the animals. She talked her dad into volunteering with her. And then one particular short-legged dog with thick fur won her heart. The Cairn terrier named Tracey was in rough shape and looked years older than she actually was.
"I fell in love with her and I asked my dad if I could take her home," Hannah said. "She's cuddly. She's playful. She's good-hearted."
He couldn't say no.
"We got in trouble when we got home too," he said and smiled.
On Saturday Hannah and Tracey were in front of the cameras telling their story for the Morrison County Animal Humane Society's fourth-annual telethon. Cameras, pets and people combined at the Little Falls Community High School for four hours. The telethon aired from 1-5 p.m. on cable access Channel 6 in Little Falls and Channel 10 in Pierz.
Pets and People
The Morrison County Animal Humane Society in Little Falls has 30 cats and 15 dogs ready for adoption.
In 2005, the shelter took in 666 animals. Of those 129 were claimed and 402 were adopted.
The shelter opened in 1995 and, as of last year, reported helping more than 7,500 animals.
Volunteers older than 14 are always needed. For more information, call (320) 632-0703.
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Trisha Herdering, the animal shelter's director, understood the Kampa story personally. She lost her heart to an energetic and happy (according to the tail wagging) dog named Morgan. The black lab mix retained a positive character even after a tough start. Morgan was tossed from a car window when he was just months old. Now he's almost 2 years old.
"He's a wonderful dog," Herdering said.
Success stories, celebrities, guest speakers, talent and entertainment were all part of the telethon. Last year, the telethon raised about $3,000. Herdering had a goal of finding people to adopt animals in the shelter and of raising $5,000 this year. Volunteers staffed a phone bank for pledges, which go toward operating expenses. The shelter's annual operating expenses are about $100,000, Herdering said. Revenues bring in about $75,000, she said.
The telethon was started by Sue Anfinson-Hudson, a former Morrison County Animal Humane Society board member. Kelly Couture, the shelter's first director and current board member, said she was skeptical of a telethon as a successful fund-raiser.
"I really didn't think it would work and it's been just a great success," Couture said. "It's just amazing to me how people come out for it."
People making donations get a chance at prize drawings during the afternoon, which inspired a few people to call several times with small donations. The people in front of the camera were more than willing to share their adoption stories.
"It's almost like having a baby," Couture said, adding the success stories make the work rewarding and worthwhile. "It can be kind of a thankless job some days."
The shelter has a 4-month-old terrier/pug cross named Joey who is looking for a good home. "He's a beautiful dog," Herdering said. Another young German shorthair mix named Anastasia is waiting for adoption. Pets up for adoption have to be spayed or neutered and prospective pet owners sign an agreement to keep the adopted animals up to date with shots. Adopting a dog can cost $55 to $150 and cats may cost $40 to $80.
For Jeff Kampa, who has three dogs at his Little Falls home, an added benefit came with volunteering because he can spend time with his animal-loving daughter. Hannah expects to be her own shelter of sorts when she grows up. "Ten horses, 20 dogs - well maybe just 10 dogs - some chickens, some cows and ducks," she said.
And Tracey, who snuggles in at night with Hannah and whose bark remains more of a squeak, turned out to be a young dog beneath an initial rougher appearance. She rebounded as a member of the Kampa family.
Kampa said: "She just turned into being the most perfect family dog we ever had."
RENEE RICHARDSON can be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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