In an effort to decrease the number of kittens coming into the world un-intentionally and increase the quality of life for the cats that live outside, Prairie’s Edge Humane Society has teamed up with Dr. Charlie Gumbusky’s Just Cause Four Paws Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic for outdoor cats. To qualify for the Outside Cat Spay/Neuter Program, the cats you wish to have altered must live outside only and are provided food and water by you on a regular basis.  We are currently scheduling two clinic days per month and are taking appointments for each clinic now.

You will pay $50.00 per cat (covers surgery and a rabies vaccination) that you wish to have altered under this program. This is much less than you would pay at a veterinary clinic to alter your cats.

The feline distemper vaccination is optional and will be provided at an additional $10.00 per cat. (Vaccinations for distemper are strongly suggested.)

If you have cats that you would like to schedule for the Just Cause Four Paws Spay/Neuter Program for outdoor cats, call the PEHS shelter at 507-334-7117, let them know that you are calling regarding the Spay/Neuter Program for outside cats, leave your name and phone number. A volunteer will call you back regarding the requirements and scheduling for the program.

We are currently looking for a couple of volunteers to assist our dog trainer with our dog and puppy training classes.  These classes are held on Monday nights from about 5:00pm-9:00pm (times may vary) in Northfield.  Assistants help set up and clean the training area before, during, and after classes.  They assist the instructor in leading various exercises and act as an extra set of eyes and ears, observing each student during class and offering to help should questions or problems arise.  Assistants must observe for a period of time before they have direct contact with students and their dogs, extra learning opportunities by working hands-on with shelter dogs may also be available.  Our training classes promote positive reinforcement and use clicker training to teach dogs new behaviors.  Previous experience with these methods is a huge plus! Volunteers should have excellent communication skills, comfort working with both people and dogs of all breeds, basic knowledge of dog behavior, a desire to learn more about dog behavior, as well as basic dog handling skills. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and be willing to commit to Monday nights each week and are willing to coordinate with the instructor for classes they will not be able to assist.  This is a great learning opportunity for anyone with an interest in training dogs.  Please email a brief description of your experience and skills to: training@prairiesedgehs.org

Prairie’s Edge Humane Society is currently in need of foster parent volunteers. Foster parent volunteers provide a valuable service to our animals by taking animals into their homes that are not yet ready for adoption. Currently we are in need of foster parents for kittens.

Foster parents should be caring and conscientious people with a spare room in their house where foster animals can be isolated from any other household pets. The shelter provides all food, litter, medications, and vaccinations for animals being fostered as well as medical care. You provide the care, socialization, and love for your foster animals. The amount of time animals will need foster care can vary from one to eight weeks.

To apply to become a foster parent volunteer for Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, please fill out our foster application and return it to the shelter. You can download an application by clicking here.

Thank you for considering this fun and important volunteer opportunity!

 Prairie’s Edge Humane Society’s “Walk for the Animals” is only a few days away, coming up on Saturday, May 19^th.  There is a contest for the most funds raised, with a prize awarded in the adult and 16 and under catagories.   Will you be the winner? Have you raised the most funds? Ask your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and anyone else you know for a donation and you could be the winner of some fabulous prizes!  You can download a pledge form, or set up your own on line fundraising page. Turn in your collected donations at the registration desk on the day of the walk. If you collected on line donations, simply print out a copy of your donation page and bring with you. Everyone who raises at least $50 will receive a free Walk for the Animals T-shirt as well as a dog or cat treat bag (while supplies last). Can’t make it the day of the walk? You can still donate by clicking here.

All Walk routes start at the PEHS shelter and are marked for ½ mile or 1 mile lengths, you may turn around at any time during your walk or you may walk further if you like, simply walk the route several times.  You may walk anytime between the hours of 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM or join in the group walk led by our Celebrity Grand Marshall, Scooby Doo at 9:30 AM. If you do not have your own pet to walk, we will rent you one! For a $5 donation, you can walk one of the shelter dogs for ½ hour.

 This year we will once again have games and raffles for you and your pet, so make sure you bring the entire family for a fun filled morning.  Is your dog artistic? For only $5 you can find out when your pet paints his/her own project for you to take home, with their paw using safe, washable ink.  There will also be vendors, rescue groups and a food booth for your lunch or a snack.

The Prairie’s Edge Humane Society shelter will open at 10:30 AM on the day of the walk so that you can visit the shelter animals, inquire about adoption, or shop our retail area. Don’t miss out on all of the great activities for the “Walk for the Animals”. Help us make this our largest Walk ever and raise funds for the homeless animals of the PEHS shelter!

 Bridgewater Elementary School 3rd Grade students from Northfield will once again be holding their annual garage sale to benefit the animals at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society!  The garage sale will be held on Friday, May 4th from 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM in rooms 109 and 110 at Bridgewater School.  All proceeds from the garage sale will be used to help the homeless animals at PEHS.  This is an annual project for the students at Bridgewater.  In previous years they have raised over $1000 for the animals and according to their teacher, Elizabeth Larson, “we are hoping to improve on even that!”. 

 The students use the shelter as a project each year, checking our website every morning to moniter the adoptable animals.  They are in full swing of planning their sale and are producing commercials to promote their sale to the other classes.  The students do the work of organizing sale items, waiting on customers and keeping track of sales.  This is a great project and we are so excited to be a part of it.  PEHS will be visiting their class on the day of the sale to answer any questions the students may have in regards to the shelter and to thank them for all of their hard work.  A special guest from the shelter (of the four legged kind) will also be visiting their class on that day! 

The students will also be visiting the shelter later in May for a tour and to deliver items used at the shelter which they have purchased with grant money they applied for as well. 

We are very grateful to the teachers, students and staff from Bridgewater Elementary School.  This is a great opportunity for community members and parents to help these wonderful students raise money for a cause they have choosen to support.  Bridgewater School should be proud of it’s students and of their teachers for educating these young people in giving back to their community. 

Please mark your calendars and support the 3rd Graders of Bridgewater Elementary School in their class project to help Prairie’s Edge Humane Society! 

2011 Bridgewater Student visit to PEHS