Animals Can touch our hearts

By Nicole L. Czarnomski
Photography by Kelvin Andow

ESTABLISHED: WAHS has served the Winona area for more than 20 years.
LOCATION: 1112 East Broadway, Winona, Minn.
MISSION: to prevent cruelty to animals, to relieve the suffering of animals and to provide
humane education throughout the Winona area.
winonahumanesociety.org

WHO THEY ARE:
WAHS is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. They rely on donations and fees collected to cover the costs of caring for animals and operating the facility.

PASSION:
“We do everything we can to make each animal that comes through our doors happy and healthy,” says Dusty Holland, facility manager. He says they help animals with disabilities too. In the last year, WAHS veterinarian Dr. Deb Finnegan performed surgeries for two kittens born with birth defects and an adult cat that was hit by a car.

VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT:
“We have several volunteers working with us, including members from local college fraternities and sororities. We have a crew to walk dogs, clean cat litter boxes and assist with office duties,” Holland says.

“We also work with the local Legacies Program. The Legacies Program is a group of adolescents through young adults who socialize one on one with the cats at WAHS. These individuals form a bond with the cats. It’s a great program for both parties.”

BY THE NUMBERS:
220 cats and 30 dogs were placed in homes in the first seven months of 2015.

IN ACTION:
The 15th annual “An Affair for the Animals” is November 6 at Visions Event Center in Winona. The fundraiser includes a wine and beer tasting along with a silent auction.

HOW TO HELP:
“We are open to cash donations, Science Diet cat and dog food donations, bleach, 13-gallon trash bags, volunteers, foster homes and those seeking to adopt a pet,” Holland says. Contact wahs@hbci.com or call 507-452-3135.

Nicole L. Czarnomski is a freelance writer based in southeastern Minnesota.