The rally went well. Over 100 people were there and all three local television stations covered it.

Just from the buzz around town, it looks like the Common Council will be giving us another year to work towards a permanant solution. More than likely the SPCA will be working with us to regionalize the adoption programs in the county. We are going to be fighting to keep a shelter in the city limits, and working hard to make it happen through fundraising and corporate sponsers. My understanding is that the SPCA is the only 501C nonprofit animal welfare organization allowed in the county, so another non profit cannot take over for the city. Which is fine, since the SPCA does a wonderful job and they already have the structure in place.

We are planning a "Gimme Shelter" animal fair on either June 5th or 6th with some local performers and we will have informational booths on spaying/neutering, animal behavior and training, no or low cost rabies vaccinations, and information on the licensing drive that will take place June 25th-June 27th. We decided it was best if we stay upbeat and convince the city that we are willing to work hard to make animal welfare a priority in the city.

If anyone is interested in the video clips of the newscasts, you can find them here:

http://www.tutzauer.com/shelterhelpers/BudgetVideo.html