Cat Lovers and Happy Endings

Happy Endings Auction - a success!

2008-11-17T01:59:00Z

I can't thank everyone enough! To all the businesses and individuals who helped make our auction a success - I thank you (there are too many to list!). The auction brought in over $10,000!!! The kitties thank you too!

In spite of a poor economy - a very generous outpooring of support for our shelter was seen. It takes about $48,000 a year to run the shelter - with all volunteers. The auction and donations give us the money to continue the "No Kill" mission.

The auction was a lot of hard work - I can't thank my Mother enough (Linda Huebner) - who was my tireless helper!

It is now time to get back to volunteering at the shelter - as much work and fun as the auction is - I have really missed spending time with the cats. We have so many who need attention. This year we have had more kittens than I remember having last year. It is a privilege to care for them.

If you are looking to adopt a cat - or 2 - please stop by the shelter. We would love to meet you. Happy Endings is open Thursdays from 6-9 and Saturdays from 11-4. Location: 5349 West Forest Home Avenue (between 60th and Morgan).

The Countdown

2008-11-05T02:34:18Z

I have ten days left to prepare for the auction. So many things to do! No matter how hard you try to be ahead of the game - there are always last minute things to do and last minute donations to log. I need to make more gift baskets, write more thank you's, and finalize the program and get it off to the printers!

The day of the auction will come fast, it wil be fun, but I will be glad when it is over -so that I can go back to spending more time with my kitty friends! I am usually at the shelter every Saturday, but have taken the last few weeks to focus on the auction.

I miss my "Cowboys" (who are featured on one of my blogs). I love when I go into the shelter, go over to their cage and say "Hi Cowboys" - I let them out, sit on the floor, and wait for their love. I know the right people are out there - waiting to adopt them.

For now I know I need to focus on the auction and help them through raising money for the shelter.

Please come to our auction - I'll be the one running around with a smile on my face - drinking too mch Mountain Dew!

Saturday, November 15, 2008, Knights of Columbus, 3200 S 103rd Street (Hwy 100 and Oklahoma - from Hwy 100 head east onto Oklahoma turn right onto 103rd). Doors open at 2:30 for viewing, auction starts at 3:30. Bring a friend!

Begging

2008-10-14T00:54:00Z

As the Auction Coordinator I am in charge of obtaining auction items. My friend Wendy was kind enough to assist me with this task. On our journey we met some really nice people - obvious animal lovers. Wendy would always say " We don't mind begging." It all goes to the animals - we are all volunteers and a 501(c)(3). Most people were at least courteous.

I have to say that you really need to get out and do it face to face. It feels like sales - even though it is for a no kill animal shelter. MANY places were so generous I could hardly believe it! These people gave me the strength to go on to the next business, which wasn't always so easy.

Some people were just plain rude. I understand they probably get hit all the time for donations - but can't they be a little nicer? It became very clear if someone was an animal person - especially a cat person, or if they were not an animal person.

It was also interesting that some businesses in the suburbs would ask "where is the shelter located?" in a snide way. I understand they want to help locally - but does it matter? It is NO KILL. But, as I would say on Forest Home Avenue - some people would give me a look. I know the city of Milwaukee and the suburbs are often thought of as segregated, but this was over the top! Should we only help animals if they live in a certain suburb? The economy has also affected the animals. People who are being foreclosed on are surrendering their cats because they cannot take them to the apartment. The extent of the bad economy affects us in many different facets.

Wendy - thank goodness for Wendy! - She says "That's where we are able to get the cheapest rent". Apparently some people think we could operate in a high rent district and make ends meet. It isn't about how fancy we are - it's about the animals! Make no mistake - if we could afford a state of the art shelter we would be there in a heartbeat, but that is not in the foreseeable future - unless a wealthy donor comes forward. My friend is from Mequon - so she tries to let people know - we take cats from all areas in Milwaukee metro and suburbs - and adopt out to these areas as well.

We do not receive any government or local grants, because we refuse to put down perfectly healthy animals - so we do not have these resources.

I have never liked sales. But - as Wendy would say "we don't mind begging for the animals".

Our Annual Auction is Coming

2008-08-11T00:50:55Z

Happy Endings is a non-profit, 501 c (3) tax deductible, no-kill organization run solely by volunteers who have been placing animals in adopted homes for over 14 years. Our mission is to find permanent homes for strays, abused, or unwanted animals.

Our Annual Auction will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2008, at the Knights of Columbus (3200 S. 103^rd St.). You and your friends are invited to attend. Auctioneer Kelly Kelsenberg (#1160, Retired) has been generously donating his expertise for the past 6 years and does a super job. We can’t have an auction if there is nothing to bid on. This is where we desperately need your help!

We are in need of gift certificates, tickets to events, animal-related products, gift baskets, artwork, sport items, or antiques/collectibles. New or like new furniture, electronics, tools, hand-made items, or anything that would entice the general public to attend and be excited to bid on (or that you would bid on!). Monetary donations – in lieu of an auction item, or to be used toward the purchase of auction items – would be gratefully appreciated.

We are also in need of medium and large baskets - any you have lying around the house that you would like to donate would be greatly appreciated ! (we use these to make gift baskets for the auction).

All donations are fully tax-deductible.

Because no one (not even our Director) is paid a salary, 100% of the funds we receive are used exclusively for the expenses of our shelter.

Please stop by our shelter to see our furry friends - 5349 West Forest Home Avenue. We are open on Thursday from 6-9 and Saturdays from 11-4.

The Cowboys

2008-07-15T15:24:00Z

Les (pictured right) and Leroy (pictured left) are super sweet. We nicknamed them "The Cowboys" due to their black and white markings. They really need a loving home. They are both a little shy, but are coming around. They LOVE to play. If you are interested please stop by Happy Endings Thurs from 6-9 or Sat from 11-4 at 5349 Forest Home Avenue, Milwaukee.

Friday - Sunday, June 20-22nd - please come and bring a friend!

2008-06-16T02:19:30Z

Our charity rummage sale is this week! Please come and help our shelter - all proceeds go to Happy Endings - No Kill Animal Shelter. The rummage will be held: Friday, June 20th from 9AM to 6 PM, Saturday, June 21st from 9AM to 4PM, and Sunday, June 22nd from 9AM to 1PM. It will be held at Sugar Creek Antique Mall at 17900 National Avenue in New Berlin. Thank you to the many generous donors and for everyone who has participated in any and every way!

Rummage Sale - We Need Donations

2008-04-26T23:37:00Z

Happy Endings is having their annual rummage sale to raise funds for our shelter - June 20th -22nd. We are looking for donations. Please pass the word around to your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. We have had our 501(c)3 status since 2002!, All donations to Happy Endings are tax deductable and are greatly needed! We are also starting to collect for our annual auction (November 15th, 2008). Items can be dropped off at Happy Endings on Thursday evenings between 6-9 or on Saturdays from 11-4. Happy Endings is located at 5349 Forest Home Avenue in Milwaukee (Forest Home & Morgan off of 60th Street).

The rummage sale will be held Friday June 20th - Sunday June 22nd at Sugar Creek Antique Mall at 17900 W National Avenue in New Berlin. If you have any questions feel free to call me (Lana Huebner) since I am the rummage sale and auction coordinator. My number is 262-896-9742.

We are also asking for any baskets you may be willing to part with. We use these to make gift baskets which we sell at the auction.

Please come and bring a friend! Last year was a huge success! Thank you!!!

Max - Adopted!

2008-04-01T00:17:00Z

What can I say about Max? He is a feisty one. Max is a big handsome guy - very shiny fur. He was born 04-02. He is 4 paw declawed. Max is a sweet guy, but he wants to be spoiled and needs to be the only cat. Max has also let us know that he would prefer a home without any young children. He loves to play. Max is a little high strung and would need a kind gentle person to care for him. I have been working with Max who is coming along, but still shows moments of needing to be the only cat and needing a lot of attention. If you are interested in Max or any of our cats at the shelter, please stop by: Happy Endings at 5349 W Forest Home Ave, on Thurs from 6-9 or Sat 11-4. http://www.happyendings.us/

Olivia & Tiger Lily - Adopted!

2008-03-12T02:00:00Z

Olivia and Tiger Lilly are sisters who were found as strays when they were very young. They were born 04/06. Due to their difficult start in life we feel they would do best in a home without small children or dogs. They have grown very Dependant on each other and cannot be separated. They are sweet, and have come so far since they first came to the shelter. They are a little shy, but are very sweet. If you are interested in them please stop by Happy Endings - 5349 West Forest Home Avenue - Thursdays 6-9 or Sat 11-4. http://www.happyendings.us/

Smokey - adopted!

2008-03-01T01:05:00Z

Smokey is a beautiful long hair muted tortie. She is very sweet and loves to be carried around. She loves to be petted. She has lived with other cats and is doing well with the other cats at the shelters. She is about 8 years old. If you are interested in Smokey, please stop by HAPPY ENDINGS (5349 West Forest Home Avenue) on Saturday from 11-4 or Thursday from 6-9.

Tsunami & Cheeba - Adopted!

2008-02-18T01:17:00Z

Tsunami & Cheeba are a sweet pair of brothers. They are big handsome guys who were born 12-01. They are good with other cats and kids. If you are interested in them please stop by Happy Endings Thurs 6-9 or Saturday 11-4. Our address is 5349 West Forest Home Avenue.

RADAR - Tortie - ADOPTED!!!

2008-02-13T03:53:00Z

Radar is a beautiful girl. She was born 3-03. She is front paw declawed. Radar is a sweet gentle girl in need of a forever home. If you are interested in Radar please stop by Happy Endings at 5349 Forest Home Avenue - Milwaukee from 6-9 pm on Thursday or from 11-4 on Saturday.

Coco - what a beauty - Siamese - adopted!!

2008-01-28T03:30:00Z

Coco is adopted, but is such a beautiful girl that I had to share her! She is a petite, shy cat. She was found as a stray! She gave birth to a batch of kittens that looked nothing like her (except for the shape of their faces) - they were all tabbies! She is so shy, but went to a wonderful home where she can learn to trust people. I will miss her, but am so glad she has found a home.

Jak & Joseph - Adopted!

2008-01-11T23:27:00Z

Jak & Joesph are brothers. Both love to play with toys. Jak is more outgoing than Joseph, but Joseph is slowly coming around. Joseph is a little more shy than his brother. What is so cute about these two is that Jak is ALL white except for his tail - which is a gray color. Jak also has two different colored eyes - one blue and one yellow. Jospeh is also almost all white except for the front of his head and his tail. They were born 6-30-06. Jak is in the first picture, Joseph is in the second picture. Jak & Joseph must be adopted together. If you are interested please visit us at Happy Endings, 5349 Forest Home Avenue, Thurs 6-9 and Sat 11-4. Here is a link to our web-site: http://www.happyendings.us/

Raindrop - Baskets Needed - Rummage Sale Around the Corner

2008-01-03T00:06:00Z

As we gear up for another year - the annual rummage sale and auction come to mind. What we really need are baskets. Offices will often get fruit and other kinds of goodies from clients in a basket this time of year. If your office is willing to spare them - or if you have a basket or two lying around the house we would greatly appreciate them! Just send me a response and I would be happy to pick them up!

The rummage sale will be here before I know it! If there are any items you would wish to donate - again we would be happy to pick them up! I was truly amazed at the response from last year. We had so many wonderful donations. I had never run a rummage sale before (gulp), but we pulled it together and had a huge success. People would flock towards the oddest items - and the ones I thought would fly off the tables sat for awhile. You just can't figure people out! Good thing for the animals! Ha!

We had everything from clothes (which went over very well!) to kitchen items & dishes, candles, Holiday items, books, toys, garden items (vases etc.), blankets, and many Misc items .... Please help a great cause - and as you are going through items (replacing old with your new Christmas gifts) or cleaning out the garage (this Spring) remember someone else might buy it!

Our cats and kittens are doing well. The weather outside is frigid, but they are safe and warm. Bellies are full! My cat of the week is Raindrop (picutred below). She is extremely shy and would need someone willing to work with her to keep trusting people. She is very sweet and loves to be petted. She would need a quiet home. She is an adult tabby with white. She was born 4/15/06. Her picture is below. If you are interested please stop by Happy Endings at 5349 Forest Home Avenue on Thurs from 6-9 or Sat from 11-4. Here is the link to our web-site: http://www.happyendings.us/

Tumbleweed

2007-12-28T00:20:29Z

Tumbleweed is my cat of the week (pictured below) . She is a very sweet cat. She would do well in a home with no children. She is black and white. I laugh because every Saturday when we let her out of her cage she runs to the office and jumps up into a cat basket. This is "Tumbleweed's" basket. She will let other cats in it, but not for long. She patiently waits until they leave so she can have her basket back. She is very quiet and gets along with other cats. She is 7 years old and is still playful.

If you are interested in Tumbleweed please stop by Happy Endings on Thurs 6-9 or Sat 11-4. We are located at 5349 Forest Home Avenue. Here is a link to our web-site: http://www.happyendings.us/

Thanks for your interest!!!

We Are Thankful - Merry Christmas - and little Sabertooth - adopted!

2007-12-21T00:18:00Z

We are happy to tend to the furry people who cannot fend for themselves. Their feline "ness" is a blessing - they are kind and gentle souls. Animals ask so little, yet give back tenfold. We are thankful for their curiosity, stubbornness, playfulness, contentment, and purr.

The shelter provides a place for our furry friends; it also provides a place to make new friends and come together. We are thankful for all of our volunteers who make the shelter possible. It doesn't matter that we may not have anything else in common; we all love cats and are very passionate about their care!

We are thankful that we have raised funds to stay open another year through our successful auction. Thank you attendees and those who donated so generously! Thank you to anyone who has given in any way!

There are many worthy charities to contribute to this time of year. We know that Christmas can be a hard time for many people. We want to extend to you our prayers and wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas.

Below is a picture of Sabertooth. He LOVES to play! Saber tooth is a sweet young guy. He was born 5/22/07. He loves to play with other cats and needs to have a friend. If you are interested please stop by! Thurs 6-9, Sat 11-4. Happy Endings, 5349 Forest Home Avenue. http://www.happyendings.us/

Nicholas - Adopted !!!

2007-12-11T02:00:00Z

Nicholas is a big, beautiful cat. He has such unique markings! Even though he is so large, he is a lap cat, and even likes his belly rubbed. He was a stray so we are not sure of his age. He would do best in a quiet home. He enjoys the company of other cats. Please visit us if you are interested in seeing Nicholas. Thurs 6-9 PM, Saturday 11-4. Happy Endings, 5349 West Forest Home Avenue, Milwaukee. Here is a link to our web-site: http://www.happyendings.us/

Olive - A Beautiful Siamese - ADOPTED !!!

2007-11-26T00:13:00Z

My - what a beauty! I didn't even know there was such a thing as a Flame Point Siamese (mix). He is absolutely adorable. He has adjusted so well to living in the shelter for only a few weeks. He has the best personality and loves to play! Olive was born on 5/2006. For all of you Siamese lovers - help us find Olive a good home! You can visit us on Thurs from 6-9 and Sat from 11-4. Happy Endings is located at: 5349 Forest Home Avenue. Our web-site: http://www.happyendings.us/

The Auction - What a success - Many Thank you's

2007-11-20T00:27:00Z

I am pleased to announce we raised almost $12,000 for our shelter at the auction! Thank you to everyone who contributed in any and every way. It costs about $46,000 to run the shelter annually - and that is with all volunteers (no paid employees)! Thank you to all of the businesses who donated gift certificates and other items. Thank you to everyone who personally contributed money or auction items. Without your support we could not financially survive. It is such a great cause.

If you or anyone you know would like to help in any way - your generosity is greatly appreciated! See our web-site - link below. My next post will be about another beautiful cat - keep checking back for more stories!

http://www.happyendings.us/