Naming Opportunities
Campus awarded to David & Donna Elfers	Reserved
Adoption Center The Glen Curtis family & Sam Perricone	Reserved
Spay and Neuter Clinic	150,000
Puppy nursury	100,000
Dog 'get acquianted rooms'	25,000
Dog kennels	10,000
Puppy pens	5,000
Cat adoption room	100,000
Kitten room	100,000
Cat community room	50,000
Cat get acquainted room	25,000
Cat adoption cages	10,000
Kitten cages	5,000
Court yard awarded to Vicki Kerley	Reserved
Education room	100,000
Grooming room	50,000
Examination room	25,000
Staff break room	10,000
Campus flag pole Paul Hopper	Reserved
Lobby/Reception area	The lobby will display individual dedicatiions to donors of $250,000

Fur Ball raises over $100,000 for new shelter

CRISTYN WEIL,
NEW SHELTER PROJECT CHAIRPERSON

On August 23, 2008, the Humane Society of Yuma hosted the second annual Fur Ball to benefit the New Shelter Project at the Sonoran Pueblo Club of the Marine Corps Air Station. It was an extraordinary night of fine dining, fundraising, and dancing. Thank you to the 300-plus guests who attended the gala and to the many volunteers, donors, and sponsors who together helped raise over $100,000 for a desperately needed new shelter for Yuma's homeless animals.

I would especially like to thank our sponsors, Belleza/Kerley Homes, Yuma Community Bank, The Sun, Glen Curtis Inc, PetSmart, Underhill Transfer Company, Kammann Development, Hopper Apartments, Misenhimer Aivazian & Tennant PC, Dr. Ernest Rillos, Dr. & Mrs. Steven Wallace, Naquin Precision Earth Moving Inc., D & H Electric, Country Club Honda, 1st Bank Yuma, Yuma Insurance Inc., AEA Federal Credit Union, Law Offices of Larry Suciu, and Sun Graphics.

The live auction was a great success thanks to the talented Phil Seward of Smart Auctions, and contributions and donations from Avanti Skin Care, Paul Bensel, Gary Stephens, Teri Did It, Old Town Wine Cellar, Karin Griffin, Melba Wagner, the Glen Curtis family, Lamar Advertising, KYMA, El Dorado Broadcasting, Shawn Kammann, Larry & Sandy Pikula, Jed Limousine, and The Filter Factory/Denise Builders. Thanks also to the numerous individuals and companies that donated items to the silent auction (too many to list here) and to the Bose Corporation for donating the sound system that was the raffle prize.

The decorations were once again stunning thanks to the efforts of Sandra VanDeraa and the Cibola Spirit Line, and contributions by All Seasons Florist, Dancemakers, Dawn's Dance Studio, and Jeanie's Party Supply.

From the production standpoint, I would like to thank our Master of Ceremonies, Brad Wills, formerly of KYMA; Anable Aguirre and the staff of the Sonoran Pueblo Club (who, as usual, were flawless) for the extraordinary dinner; and Mark Flint for the wonderful documentary of the shelter.

Highlights of the evening included the presentation of the Curtis/Perricone Award to Vicki Kerley for her outstanding contributions to the New Shelter Project and her dedication to the advancement of animal welfare in Yuma; the surprise donation of air time by KSWT; the impromptu challenge donation by David and Donna Elfers, that was matched by Page and Lonnie Misenhimer; and the purchase of the naming opportunity on two dog kennels at the new shelter by Clint and Kim Underhill. What a night! Last, but not least, I would like to thank the New Shelter Project volunteers: Kelley Baliukas, Dan Groeling, Samantha Page, Nancy Patterson, Sandy Pikula, Lonnie Ross- Misenhimer, Kyla Smith, Susan Sternitzke, Sandra Van Deraa, Jan Watts, and Elkie Wills, all of whom put in countless hours of volunteer time to make the night special. I hope to see you all again next year at the Humane Society of Yuma's third annual Fur Ball, where we will celebrate the groundbreaking for the new shelter! Cristyn Weil chairs HSOY’s New Shelter Project. Fur Ball, Cont. from page 1 nbsp;

Why we need a new shelter

The Humane Society of Yuma estimates that in 2008 nearly 12,000 animals will be unwanted or abandoned. Many are turned in by owners who no longer wish to keep their pets and even more are picked up by animal control officers as strays roaming throughout the community.

Yuma is nationally recognized as a thriving, progressive, community booming with economic growth. In fact, Yuma is the third fastest growing area in the United States. Just as Yuma's people population continues to grow, so does its pet population, and tragically, so does the unwanted pet population.

Our current shelter

On September 1, 1965, the Humane Society of Yuma opened its doors at its current location at 285 North Figueroa. The shelter was designed to accommodate a total of 75 dogs and cats. In the mid 1980's, the kennel building was enlarged to deal with needs of a growing animal population.

The current facility, however, has far outlived its ability to meet the needs of today, and certainly is unable to meet the needs of the future. The aging shelter, with inadequate drainage, poor ventilation, and a deteriorating structure, is unable to provide a safe, healthy, and humane environment for the thousands of animals coming through the doors each and every year.

Our new shelter

National studies indicate a well designed, fully equipped, and highly visible shelter, dramatically increases visitors resulting in higher adoption rates and returns of lost pets to owners.

Furthermore, giving the public access to a low cost spay and neuter clinic will ultimately decrease the animal population thereby reducing our community's euthanasia rate of innocent animals.

A generous gift of land was provided by the Glen Curtis family and Sam Perricone at 40th Street and Avenue 41/2 E. This location is highly visible in the center of the community's growth and will bring more visitors through the shelter doors. Plans for a new facility include:

• An approximate 18,000 sq. ft. building (vs. today's current 8,000 sq. ft. shelter)0 sq. ft. building (vs. today's current 8,000 sq. ft. shelter)
• Public spay and neuter clinic
• Indoor / outdoor dog kennels
• Community cat rooms
•  Animal receiving areas, including space for examinations and grooming
•  Public education areas        
•  Park-like court yard for exercise and training