ACTIVITIES, PROMOTING ANIMAL WELFARE--

We are proud of our Toby’s Team of volunteers, a group of several local residents who are dedicated to our mission and work hard to implement fundraising and educational events. We are equally proud of the community support we receive every day.

Educational events designed for youth have included presentations at Wolf Creek Elementary School, at an alternative high school in Medford, Oregon, and at The Southern Oregon Humane Society’s Summer Youth Camp. We have also presented our “Kinship with Animals” series by Board Director and animal caretaker Ann Southcombe, focusing on animals in sanctuaries and zoos. Our local tabling efforts have included distributing literature on various topics, including animal abuse/neglect and the need for spay/neuter of companion animals. And, often through phone contacts and personal conversations with locals we are able to educate about animal welfare and solve problems involving animals. We of course work with other local agencies, as needed.

We have had two main fundraising events. In May, we put on a family oriented event.

For instance, in May, 2007, at Wolf Creek Park and the Wolf Creek Inn, we invited local families to attend and had many fun activities, including games, and a band with a singing dog. We also traditionally participate in the autumn Oktoberfest celebration at the Wolf Creek Inn, with volunteers at our Toby Fund booth which features popcorn and soft drinks.

In early March, our volunteers meet to create a schedule of spring and summer events.

These include our “float” in the Wolf Creek Easter Parade and other planned events.

Most important, on October 20, 2007, we brought the first ever animal wellness clinic to Wolf Creek. Dr. Elizabeth Kraft’s state-of-the-art mobile veterinary clinic served 24 companion animals, many of whom may not have received care otherwise. As for spay/neuter, we provided a limited number of vouchers for vaccinations and examinations. Dr Kraft called the clinic “…a blooming success” and praised our organization of the event as well as the degree of community support. We plan to bring Dr. Kraft’s clinic back in late spring or early summer, to include spay/neuter services.