WHAT SHOPPA-PAW-LOOZA IS ALL ABOUT

 As I write this, on Oct. 3, 2017, the Lakeland Humane Society Shelter is seriously overcrowded - perhaps as crowded with homeless cats and dogs as it has ever been since it was founded in 1999.

Eighty cats are packed into a space that normally accommodates 25 - every single room of the shelter has several cats in portable kennels. The dog kennels are overcrowded as well - there literally isn't any more "room at the inn." The animals keep coming in and somehow LHS finds a way to provide them with warmth, medical care, food, and love.

Every cat and dog that comes to LHS is spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, dewormed and made as healthy as possible before they are put up for adoption. This is a shelter where every animal has a home for as long as it takes until they find their furever family. No time limits are placed on these precious lives.

Pets are adopted at low prices that don't even cover the cost of spaying or neutering, never mind anything else. All this work is done courtesy of the goodwill of people who donate to the Lakeland Humane Society. Without them, and without fundraising events like the annual Shoppa-Paw-Looza Online Aucton, we wouldn't be able to help 600+ animals every year. Our vet bills alone are approximately $55,000 every year.

Good news, though: LHS is getting closer to being able to build a desperately needed new shelter. Not only do we need a bigger shelter, but our current one is hopelessly outdated and beyond repair.

Last year we raised nearly $15,000 through Shoppa-Paw-Looza, but we're hoping 2017's version will be twice as successful.

Because we're not running a gala this February (for a variety of reasons, including the economy and increased competition from other galas), we're hoping all the people who usually donate to the gala's silent auction will instead generously donate to Shoppa-Paw-Looza.

The Shoppa-Paw-Looza Online Auction (which takes place on Facebook) begins Nov. 30, 2017 and will carry on until all items are auctioned off - it could last five days or more!

Any and all NEW items are welcome! Businesses are encouraged to donate items that will appeal to a wide range of holiday shoppers. Individuals are encouraged to buy/make items that shoppers can't resist!

I sincerely hope you find it in your heart to help the hundreds and hundreds of homeless pets who need our help. Please help us make this year's Shoppa-Paw-Looza the BEST auction EVER!

             - Cathy Olliffe-Webster, Online Auction Organizer. 

P.S. - Just to be clear, all the items on this blog were sold last year and the year before. You'll have to wait until November to see what's in store this year!

All donations may be dropped off at the Lakeland Humane Society, 6220 50th Ave. in Cold Lake, Alberta. If you can't drop them off, please call us at 780-594-1896 and we'll come pick them up!

You can also mail or courier your items: Lakeland Humane Society, PO Box 202, 6220 50th Ave., Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada, T9M 1P1.

For more information about Lakeland Humane Society:

Website: http://www.lakelandhumanesociety.org/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lakelandhumane/

Last year's auction page: https://www.facebook.com/events/671847489659872/?active_tab=discussion

 Mission Statement

In cooperation with local communities, the Lakeland Humane Society provides a safe haven for animals, while promoting responsible pet ownership, a concern for animal welfare, a compassion for all living things and their environment, and a commitment to make a difference.

Affiliates

The Lakeland Humane Society operates independently of all other animal organizations and humane societies. We are members of the Alberta SPCA and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

The Alberta SPCA does not operate an animal shelter but does enforce the animal protection laws in the areas of Alberta other than Edmonton and Calgary. The Lakeland Humane Society does not have the right to enforce laws so all complaints are forwarded to the Alberta SPCA or the RCMP.

Canadian Federation of Humane Societies acts as an information source to many of the humane societies across Canada.

The City of Cold Lake, MD of Bonnyville No. 87 and the Village of Pierceland are responsible for Animal Control. This includes picking up strays and answering domestic animal complaints. The Lakeland Humane Society is not responsible for Animal Control.

Please be aware that the Lakeland Humane Society does not receive any part of donations or funding sent to these organizations.