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Monthly Newsletter
February 2024
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The Legacy of Ozzie & a $20,000 Matching Donation |
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A Journey of Transformation: The Legacy of Ozzie and the Always & Furever Osawatomie Shelter
In the heart of a small town, a story unfolded that would forever change the fate of countless animals. This tale begins with Ozzie, a beacon of hope in what was once a forgotten rural pound in Osawatomie, Kansas. His story is not just one of rescue, but a testament to the power of love and the ripple effect of a single act of kindness.
Transforming Lives, One Paw at a Time
With Ozzie's inspiration, we've embarked on a mission to transform the Always & Furever Osawatomie Shelter into a haven of hope and renewal. From installing new floors and rust-free kennels to creating lush play areas, we're committed to ensuring every animal is welcomed with open arms and a promise of a brighter future.
Our Next Big Leap: A Safety Fence for Our Furry Friends
Our goal is to raise $71,000 to erect a safety fence around the shelter, offering our residents the security and freedom they deserve. Thanks to a generous matching offer from a donor, your contribution will go twice as far. The first donations received will have double the impact until we reach $20,000.
Watch. Support. Share.
By watching Ozzie's heartwarming story and supporting our GoFundMe Charity Campaign, you're not just donating; you're joining a community of compassionate souls dedicated to making a difference. Every share, every follow, and every donation brings us closer to our goal.
Let's Make the Impossible, Possible — Together
This journey is about more than just renovating a shelter; it's about building a legacy of love, hope, and transformation. With your support, we can continue to prove that love conquers all.
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Parvo: What is it and how are we helping? |
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Parvo is short for canine parvovirus (CPV). This viral infection causes inflammation of the intestines in dogs and puppies, resulting in acute diarrhea and vomiting. In some cases, parvo in puppies also causes inflammation of the heart, or myocarditis, which can result in heart failure.
Parvo is Preventable.
One vaccine is all it takes.
If you follow our pages you know we do all we can to help unvaccinated pups who have been infected with this disease. Most of the time they come into emergency care as an urgent need, which means they have been sick for a few days before being dumped at a vet, shelter or elsewhere. Their conditions are generally very urgent and we could lose them within 12-24 hours.
Every single prayer, post share and donation helps in these life and death situations.
We have lost a few but have saved many!
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What can we all do?
Raise funds to purchase a new medication, which will help us save many lives.
The medication is expensive, but it is one of the best new tools to save these precious souls.
The price of the medication is approximately $500 per vile. Each vile can treat up to 10 pounds of weight. For instance, a puppy weighing 20 pounds would require two vials of the IV injection medication, totaling a cost of around $1,000.
Our followers know we step up to help as many of these sick puppies as we can, but it's stressful to count on funds being available to buy the medication. Our goal is to create a parvo fund to purchase this medication and have it on hand at our trusted vet offices so when a call comes in the middle of the night, we can help.
We are asking our followers to help us be proactive in giving more puppies a fighting chance.
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To donate toward the parvo fund :
Venmo: AlwaysandFurever
PayPal: alwaysandfurever@yahoo.com
Mail to: 23595 W 223rd St, Spring Hill, KS 66083
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Our dream is to wake up into a world where every animal is treated with kindness, dignity, respect and most importantly their life has been touched by love, even if only for a moment. |
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Kitty Korner: Updates from the Cat Lounge |
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If you want to help, supplies are always needed.
See the kitty's wishlist below.
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Happy February from the A&F Cat Lounge!
Winter is winding down and kitten season is upon on. Everyone from The Cat Team (fosters, adoption team, Petsmart volunteers and adoption event volunteers) has done an amazing job to make sure we are ready.
When I started working with the cats and growing our Cat Rescue, I didn't know there was a Kitten Season. This was something I learned quickly, and this past years' season has been a doozy.
Whats the lesson of this story? SPAY AND NEUTER your pets.
The road is a hard one when kittens start life off on the streets. They are often in the cold and elements, with mammas that don’t have medical care, and are infested with fleas or worms or both. Many of these kittens don't make it.
Losing kittens is the hardest thing myself and my foster angels have to go through. Often, we lose these kittens despite our best efforts to save them. When these kittens can't overcome their rough start in life, we are devastated.
But because of my foster angels, our amazing vet, our amazing medical coordinators, volunteers, donors and supporters, we have learned so many things to help give kittens a fighting chance!!
What's it take to keep so many tiny kittens alive? It takes good nutrition, fresh water, incubators, pet scales to keep track of their weights and snuggly blankets for them to burrow into. It also takes love and kindness. I’m so proud of the village Always and Furever provides for all the cats and kittens.
Thank you for your support and be on the lookout, because kittens are arriving already.
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Cinder is looking for a very special home |
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Cinder is a young 11 month old kitten that came to Always and Furever in April of 2023 along with his two littermates. His siblings have since been adopted, but poor Cinder became ill with an Upper Respirtory Infection that he just couldn’t shake. Eventually, we had to take him to a specialist to determine what was going on with him.
The sweet fun-loving kitty just wanted to be able to breath through his nose like any other kitty.
After multiple vet visits, procedures, medications, etc the Specialist determined he has a chronic condition called Rhinitis. We are also working on ruling out certain allergies.
So what does this mean for Cinder? Cinder needs a special foster or Furever home. His humans will need to be able to maintain his specialized diet, assist him in weaning off Predisone and give him needed daily breathing treatments.
Always and Furever would provide Cinder's foster all of things he would need. Cinder is currently at the Cat Lounge, but it is challenging to restrict him to the special diet in that environment.
If you can provide Cinder the care he needs, he will provide the love!
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Featured Adoption: Jackpot |
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OH, CANADA!
A&F has crossed boundaries and had our first adoption to Canada!
This is now the native land for our boy Jackpot.
He had a very long drive up to the border and cruised through border patrol by being such a good boy. Jackpot was brought into the Osawatomie Shelter as a stray and is anxious but is doing so well in his new home.
He’s been the perfect gentleman and already loves his mom and is having fun with his 2 human siblings. Jackpot helps to wake the boys up for school and likes playing chase the ball with them in his big back yard. He loves laying in the sun in his big comfy bed and giving his Mom kisses. Jackpot will soon be meeting a new pup friend to play with too.
His awesome Mom is doing everything she can to help Jackpot adjust and is teaching her boys how to help Jackpot as well. This lucky pup has found the most patient and loving furever home!
Always and Furever wishes you the happiness you are so deserving of Jackpot. Keep us posted on your adventures!
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A total of 24 animals in our care found their forever homes in January.
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Alumni Check in: Sadie (Cider) |
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Sadie (formerly Cider) has officially been adopted. Her mom says Sadies means "Princess", which is the perfect name for her.
As our followers may know, Cider was in our care for nine long months and struggled in the shelter environment.
She's definitely had no trouble adjusting to being loved and doted on in her furever home.
She loves the snow, but hates when it gets stuck in her paws. Her family says they can't find any boots big enough for her, so they just rub her feet when on walks to keep her cozy.
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Sadie loves squeaky toys, simply to get the squeaker out!
She is a great sleeper and never needs out in the night.
Squirrels are her nemesis and she loves to chase them.
Sadie is strong and she and her family are still working on "her pulling like an ox on walks."
Sadie's mom says:
"Loving her is so easy. Thanks to A&F for rescuing her and making it possible!"
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Our fosters are heroes. Can you be a hero?
We can't do what we do, without fosters.
Fosters are always needed, especially for dogs that must be the only animal.
We also are looking for medical fosters, short-term and holiday fosters.
We take care of all the expenses. You provide love and a home.
Every one of these animals deserves a chance.
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Ellie Mae
Domino
Josie Jane
Meyers
Kody
Lily
Trixie
Lumpy
Schatzi
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“I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you; but instead I am deeply honored knowing
you spent the rest of your life with me.”
–Camille Marcotte
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Bingo at Hamburger Mary's |
Join us for a night of "not your Grandma's" bingo! $10 gets you 10 games of bingo and we will have raffle tickets for sale for additional prizes. RSVP is required and it will sell out, so make your reservations soon!
Cash and Venmo will be accepted that night, but don't forget your $1 bills to tip our amazing hosts!!
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Event is free to attend.
There will be a variety of art to purchase. Wine and snacks will be provided as well as activities for adults and children.
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2024 Golden Gala
December 7, 2024
Uptown Theater
Kansas City, MO
Watch for updates and ticket information.
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Other upcoming events.
Watch out social media and future newsletters for more information.
March 30th - Egg drop
April 20 - Poker run in the Oz/Paola area
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Please consider making a donation from our wishlist. The list includes essential food, supplements and supplies as well as fun things for our furry friends to play and engage with.
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Monthly Donation
Make your donation monthly simply by clicking the monthly donation button at the link.
Any amount helps, and you can designate the amount. Are you willing to give up one cup of coffee or one lunch or dinner out each month to help?
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Remember... It's Never Too Late for Happy Ever After
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