I have decided to run in the Salt Lake City 1/2 Marathon this April. This will be my first 1/2 marathon and I am running it for Every Mutt Matters. For the next 11 weeks I will be collecting donations (both monetary and supplies) for the charity. Every Mutt Matters distributes ALL donations to various animal shelters throughout Salt Lake City.

Shelters run on donations and some funding from the government, but it's not enough to serve the needs of the animals and community. Every Mutt Matters is hoping to be the middle link, the helping hand between the shelters and the community. We are trying to make it easier and effortless for the community to donate and serve the shelters. If you have a donation, such as newspapers, old towels, blankets, cleaning supplies, trash bags, dog food, cat food, paper towels, office supplies, etc (the list is endless) - just fill out our contact form at the top of our website, and we will arrange a time for Every Mutt Matters to come and pick up your donation. If you are interested in volunteering, let us know and we will get you in contact with the shelter closest to your home. Also, if you have any questions, whether it be on your own animal, or any question in general, let us know - we are here to help!!

I will be sending out an email about my participation in the Salt Lake City 1/2 Marathon, and I would really appreciate if I could get everyone to forward and repost and send along Every Mutt Matter's information. Check back for more information soon!

-Sam

On Friday January 29, 2010, I took another big donation down to the Utah Animal Adoption Center. The donation was mostly towels and the UAAC was SO THANKFUL for the donation. I got to the UAAC around 5 pm, and the shelter was just ending a busy day. It's so nice being able to go and see the grateful faces of those at the shelter.

Every Mutt Matters was hoping to get a bigger donation for the month of January, but we were thankful to get the donations we did. We could REALLY use the help of friends and their friends and their friends etc. to get more attention and to get the word out. We are planning a big charity drive this spring and are hoping to get brochures and more information sent out. Right now we have flyers and business cards available to anyone who would like to pass them out.

Always feel free to email us using the contact from from our website. If you have donations or would like to volunteer at a shelter let us know and we can help. Remember the shelters can always use old blankets, towels, sheets, newspapers, ANYTHING. Instead of throwing out your newspapers CONTACT US via our contact form and Every Mutt Matters would gladly come and pick up your donation from your house. Every little bit helps and the shelters could use anything! Remember, we do this because every mutt matters.

I was reading The Salt Lake Tribune online today and came across a heartfelt update from the AP.

"CEDAR CITY » The Humane Society of Utah is taking in six dogs from an overcrowded animal shelter in southern Utah.

The Iron County Animal Shelter in Cedar City holds up to 16 dogs and six cats but is often at capacity. That means animals often have to be turned away.

Shelter officials say they may have to reconsider their no-kill policy.

On Tuesday, Humane Society officials -- hoping to give the shelter with a little relief -- picked up six adult dogs. They were brought back to Salt Lake City and, if their health checks out, will be put up for adoption.

Officials say the dogs could be available for adoption in the next week or so."

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On the Net:

http://www.utahhumane.org/

Last year the Humane Society of Utah did not Euthanize ANY adoptable dogs! How great is this news? Being able to help the no-kill shelters allows these shelters to take in more animals from shelters, such as the Humane Society of Utah, and give them a second chance, because EVERY mutt matters.

Due to overpopulation and state laws, each state is required to have a shelter that does euthanize, as a last resort, and so even though no "adoptable" dogs were euthanized it does not mean there were no dogs euthanized at all. Dogs that are dropped off or brought to the Humane Society are held for so many hours, and are also checked for health, behavior, etc. If a dog is found to be in poor health or show aggressive behavior then they are not deemed adoptable and are euthanized - such a sad process that could be avoided if more support was going to no-kill animal shelters and animals could be sent directly to those shelters.


"SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Humane Society of Utah found homes for nearly 4,000 dogs last year and for the first time not one adoptable dog was euthanized.

The society has tried for a decade to eliminate euthanasia of healthy cats and dogs. With help from foster homes and rescue groups and other efforts, the society reached the goal with dogs in
2009.

The Humane Society of Utah turns 50 this year and the organization's executive director says it plans to work harder on reaching the same goal with cats.

In 2009 the society found new homes for 3,917 dogs and 3,137 cats. It also spayed or neutered more than 11,000 dogs and cats. Dog adoptions increased but cat adoptions fell 13 percent."

Information from: Deseret News http://connect2utah.com/content/fulltext/?cid=70541

-Sam

Last night Tim Avery and I dropped off the first big donation delivery to the Utah Animal Adoption Center. We had roughly 60 pounds of blankets, stainless steel bowls, sponges, towels, and dog toys. This was my first time visiting the Utah Animal Adoption Center, and it truly is an animal sanctuary. The UAAC is situated along the Jordan River Parkway and there is a lot of open space for the animals to go out and play.

We met with JoAnn Ortega, the Executive Director. She was very appreciative of our donations. She told us that the UAAC, not only takes in homeless pets, but that they also get animals off the "Euthanized List" from other shelters - truly giving animals a second chance. Every Mutt Matters is excited to be working with the UAAC!

The Utah Animal Adoption Center is in need of volunteers. They always need people to come play with the animals, help feed them, and clean up after them. The UAAC is a shelter for dogs, cats, and horses so anyone can find a place they belong. Most animals in the shelter have been through some type of unpleasant experience and they need all the love we can give them. Please try to make some time to volunteer and help these animals. If you would like to volunteer, please send me an email at samantha@everymuttmatters.org or fill out our contact form. You can also view more about volunteering opportunities by clicking here.

Thanks for your help!! We are still collecting any donations, so if you have something to give whether it be a blanket, a dog toy, or a monetary donation please contact us via our contact form. We couldn't do it without you - because EVERY mutt matters!

-Sam