Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association Executive Director Glenn Ivers and volunteer Joyce Leinberger present a plaque to Kime Hardware Store Manager Patrick Kime. Kime Hardware in Canastota donated warehouse space to store and distribute 10 tons of dog food recently donated to the shelter.

Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association Executive Director Glenn Ivers presents a plaque to Doug Tudman, director of sales and marketing for Isadore Rapasadi & Sons of Canastota, whose truck shipped 10 tons of donated dog food from Tech Packaging Warehouse in Berwick, Penn., to Canastota.

By Martha E. Conway

(Town of Lenox, Canastota, NY – Jan. 2012) Joyce Leinberger grew up in Canastota, and after returning home in July, she brought with her animal advocate connections she had made while living in New Jersey.

“I made a friend there who worked for Del Monte – [Donations Coordinator] Carole Slade,” Leinberger said. “I worked with them to get dog food for people who couldn’t afford it.”

When people fall on hard times and can’t afford to feed their pets, those animals frequently wind up in shelters, said Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association Executive Director Glenn Ivers. Helping people feed their pets in times of need helps those animals remain in their homes.

“I asked Carole if there were any distribution centers nearby,” Leinberger said. “The closest was southeast of Wilkes Barre, Penn. She asked me, ‘What do you need?’ They had 15 pallets.”

“But we had to go get it, store it and find those who needed it,” Ivers said, adding that he was skeptical about the effort, which seemed to require so much coordination.

According to Ivers, they really wanted to coordinate the effort with the holidays when people are especially strapped for cash. He credited Leinberger’s coordination efforts and Canastota’s Patrick Kime of Kime Hardware and Isadore Rapasadi & Son’s Sales and Marketing Director Doug Tudman for their unhesitating assistance in the successful completion of the mission.

“Kime’s and Rapasadi’s really came through,” Ivers said, explaining that they were lucky to have Rapasadi’s trucks returning – empty – from that area after making their deliveries there. “Eighteen different agencies received a quantity of the food, and several church pantries have added a dog food section. Thousands of families and their dogs got a little something extra in their stocking this year.”

Agencies Benefiting from Del Monte’s Donation

The 10 tons of first-quality Del Monte dog food brands (Ol’ Roy, Kibbles ‘N Bits, Nature’s Recipe) were distributed during the holidays to:

Angels of Fur Canine Rescue of Central New York; Cazenovia Veterinary Hospital; Dog Daze Pet Food Pantry, Cicero; Dorothy’s Pet Grooming, Canastota; Hamilton Veterinary Hospital; Herkimer County Humane Society; Humane Society of Rome; Humane Society of Syracuse; Kiwanis Pet Food Pantry, Syracuse; Pit Bull Rescue of Syracuse; Rescue Me Purebred K-9 Rescue, Oneida; Spay and Neuter Syracuse Pet Food Pantry, Syracuse; SPCA of Chenango County; St. Lucy’s Church Pet Food Pantry, Syracuse; St. Matthew’s Church Pet Food Pantry, East Syracuse; Stevens-Swan Humane Society, Utica; Village Veterinary Hospital, Canastota; and Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association, Canastota.

Editor’s Note: Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association is an open-admission shelter dedicated to providing the highest-quality care and compassion for the animals entrusted to them while leading the community in creating a more humane society. The Association contracts with Madison County to undertake the housing of stray and impounded dogs picked up by the dog control officers of the various towns and municipalities within the county. The largely volunteer-supported organization always is in need of additional hands. For more information on volunteering or adopting a cat or dog, call (315) 697-2796.

(Town of Lenox, NY – Jan. 2012) My name is Tilly, and I’m a quiet, shy girl looking for her home. Tilly just needs a soft perch by a window to be happy. She has a sweet personality once you win her trust. Come down to our Cat Community Room to meet her. I do need to be the only cat in a household as I am not a cat person.

Well, hello there! My name is Dottie, and I am a very active girl and will need a family who can put up with my puppy antics. Some basic training for manners will be necessary as will a family who is active and likes to walk/run and generally do things to wear a puppy out. If you work during the day, doggy daycare will be great! I do get along with other dogs, but they should be at my energy level. Kids 12 and up are recommended for me just because I am a strong girl. I’m in a foster home right now, so you can call 315-697-2796 for more information.

CONCORD: I am a handsome buff colored neutered male who can be a little on the shy side. My adoptive family will need to understand that I will need a few days to warm up to them, but once I do, I am the most loving cat. I am a sweet, but very vocal boy. I will talk and talk to my adoptive family. I enjoy lots of hugs and kisses, and maybe that’s what I am trying to tell you. Stop by our Cat Community Room to meet me, or call 315-697-2796 for more information.

MIKKO: I am an absolutely beautiful grey and white long haired boy. I am neutered and declawed. I am very shy and I think a home with older people would be the best fit for me. When I warm up to you, I am very sweet. Be patient and get to know me, I am just looking for a nice soft place in the sun to call my own. Please stop by our Cat Community Room to meet me or call 315-697-2796 for more information.

Attorney Gerald Taylor, chairman of the Wanderers’ Rest Humane Assocaition Board of Directors (right), thanked Jennifer Scharman (left), Barbara Smith and all of the Second Chance Thrift Shoppe volunteers  for their support of Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association.

Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association news

(Madison County, NY – Jan. 2012) Gerald Taylor, Esq., chair of the board of directors of Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association, thanked Barbara Smith, Jennifer Scharman and all of the volunteers of the Second Chance Thrift Shoppe at a volunteer appreciation event at the Stoneleigh Apartments in Canastota Sunday, Jan. 15.

He noted that in just three months, the thrift store raised $6,777.58 in sales and donations to support homeless cats and dogs at the shelter.

During the summer of 2011, when Jennifer Scharman discovered that other animal shelters are supported by thrift stores, she donated the use of a building at 6497 Route 20 just west of Bouckville for a similar venture. She replaced the roof and made other improvements to the building and grounds.

Barbara Smith recruited family, friends and new volunteers to join her in the management of the operation. She prepared the building, secured and displayed donated items, trained and scheduled volunteers, and promoted the store through signage, a flyer donated by Canastota Publishing and through help from the media.

Their tireless efforts paid off in many ways, with a new source of funding for the shelter, new volunteers, friends and donors, positive media coverage and a heightened profile for Wanderers’ Rest in southern Madison County.

During a three-month pilot phase from Sept. 16 to Dec. 17, the thrift store was open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It closed for what was expected to be the worst of the winter until March 2 when it will reopen.

During the interim, new or gently used items, other than electronics and clothes, can be donated and dropped off at Wanderers’ Rest in Canastota, and volunteers can sign up to help by emailing director@wanderersrest.org.

Rescue-Me Purebred K-9 Rescue

(Madison County, NY – Jan. 2012) This is Rhindy. He is a very sweet beagle, and he’s about 8 years old. He is very sad because he misses his person who became unable to care for him. Rhindy is looking for someone who is home a lot and would like a nice, quiet dogfriend to keep them company. He is vaccinated, neutered and heartworm-tested, so he is ready for his new forever home today.

Rhindy is available for adoption from Rescue-Me Purebred K-9 Rescue. Email luv4furbabies@yahoo.com for more information or to request an adoption application. Check out all of the great dogs waiting for their forever homes at rescuemek9.org.

Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association news

(Town of Lenox, NY – Jan. 2012) Hi there, I’m Abby, and I am an extremely happy Lab mix. I was a stray, so not much is known about my history. I love to walk and run and can be a bit of a jumper. Basic obedience is recommended to help me focus and learn my manners. Kids 12 and up are recommended because I do need that training.

My name is Pennie, and I am a sweetheart. I absolutely love people. You have to watch me because if you open my door I will fly out and try to land on your shoulders. I have a beautiful grey and white coat with one of the fluffiest tails going. If you are looking for a bundle of personality, then I am it.

Wanderers’ Rest, Madison County’s dedicated animal shelter, was founded in 1981. It is an open-admission shelter dedicated to providing the highest quality care and compassion for the animals entrusted to us while leading the community in creating a more humane society.

For more information on these and all the other wonderful cats and dogs looking for their new forever homes, visit wanderersrest.org or call (315) 697-2796.

Rescue-Me Purebred K-9 Rescue

(Madison County, NY – Jan. 2012) This is Jane; she is a beautiful purebred basset hound, and she’s about 18 months old. She is a great girl who gets along well with everyone. She will be spayed, vaccinated and heartworm tested, and she is available for adoption from Rescue-Me Purebred K-9 Rescue. Jane is a wonderful dog who is waiting patiently for someone to love her.

For more information about the adoption or foster programs at Rescue-Me, or to learn more about all the great dogs waiting for permanent homes, email luv4furbabies@yahoo.com or visit rescuemek9.org.

Hi there, my name is Meg and I am the last of my litter left at the shelter. I’m a quiet kitten, and I would really like someone to give me a nice warm lap to lie in. I have my playful moments, but I am also a lovey cat. I can be just a bit shy at first, but once I warm up to you, I am a wonderful companion. Stop by our Cat Community Room to say hello!

My name is Star and I am a beautiful grey tiger girl. I came here with my kittens and they have all gone home, but I’m still waiting. I am fairly patient with other cats, but a home where I can be queen would be the best match for me. I can be playful at times, but also love to be a lap cat when you are sitting down. Stop by our Cat Community Room to say hello!

Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association

(Town of Lenox, NY – Dec. 2011) Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association has teamed with 3,694 animal organizations from around the world to participate in the annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption campaign, founded by Helen Woodward Animal Center and supported by Iams.

Wanderers’ Rest, Madison County’s dedicated animal shelter, is aiming to find forever homes for 200 shelter cats and dogs during December as a part of the national goal of placing 1.5 million pets during the holiday season.

All dogs, cats, puppies and kittens adopted during Iams Home 4 the Holidays will go home with an Iams Adoption Kit. Included in each kit are information and tips to help the new parent and their furry friend get started on the right paw.

About Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association: Founded in 1981 and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association is an open-admission shelter dedicated to providing the highest quality care and compassion for the animals entrusted to us while leading the community in creating a more humane society. For more information, visit wanderersrest.org or call (315) 697-2796.

(Dec. 2011) Rescue-Me Purebred K-9 Rescue

This is Corra. She is a Chihuahua mix, and she’s about 2 years old. She is a great girl that gets along well with everyone. She is already spayed, vaccinated and housebroken, so she is available for adoption today.

This is Baylee. She is a yellow lab, and she’s about 10 months old. She is looking for someone who will have a lot of time to spend with her. She is a high-energy girl who loves to play! Email luv4furbabies@yahoo.com to receive an adoption application. Visit rescumek9.org to learn about all of the wonderful dogs waiting for their forever homes.

Pictured from left are Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association Executive Director Glenn Ivers, Patrick Kime and Doug Tudman, director sales and marketing at Isadore A. Rapasadi & Sons.

Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association news

By Glenn Ivers

(Town of Lenox, NY – Dec. 2011) Through a connection made by Canastota resident and Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association volunteer Joyce Leinberger, Del Monte Foods donated 10 tons of first quality canned dog food to Wanderers’ Rest. We’ll use a pallet (one ton) for our homeless dogs and to give to low-income Madison County families who are having trouble affording their pets.

If we can enable them to keep their pets, they won’t end up in shelters.

We are sharing the other nine pallets with other shelters, rescues and pet food pantries in the region, including the Humane Societies of Syracuse and Rome, Steven Swan in Utica, the SPCA in Norwich, Rescue Me Purebred K9 Rescue, Angels of Fur and the new Pit Bull Rescue in Syracuse.

We also took a pallet to St. Lucy’s church in Syracuse to distribute through their very busy food bank to low-income pet owners on the near Westside of Syracuse.

Isadore A. Rapasadi & Sons of Canastota transported the pallets from the Del Monte warehouse in Pennsylvania to Canastota. Kime’s Hardware Store in Canastota is warehousing the pallets and helping to load them for the different organizations as they arrive to pick up the food.

There will be a lot of happy dogs across Central New York this holiday season! Ho, ho, ho!

Home for the Holidays

(Lenox) Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association has teamed with 3,694 animal organizations from around the world to participate in the annual Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption campaign, founded by Helen Woodward Animal Center and supported by Iams.

Wanderers’ Rest, Madison County’s dedicated animal shelter, is aiming to find forever homes for 200 shelter cats and dogs during December as a part of the national goal of placing 1.5 million pets during the holiday season.

With as many as 8 million homeless pets in the U.S., it is important that everyone get involved to help save an orphaned animal this holiday season. We’re proud to be a part of this amazing campaign and are dedicated to reaching our pet adoption goal so 1.5 million homeless animals can experience a happy life with their new, loving family.

All dogs, cats, puppies and kittens adopted during Iams Home 4 the Holidays will go home with an Iams Adoption Kit. Included in each kit are information and tips to help the new parent and their furry friend get started on the right paw.

The team here at Wanderers’ Rest is specially trained and can help families choose the perfect pet for their personalities and lifestyles.

Glenn Ivers is executive director of Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association, Madison County’s dedicated animal shelter. Founded in 1981 and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association is an open-admission shelter dedicated to providing the highest quality care and compassion for the animals entrusted to us while leading the community in creating a more humane society. For more information, visit wanderersrest.org or call (315) 697-2796.