Animal Assistance Society of the Niagara Region

P.O. Box 20374 St. Catharines, Ontario L2M 7W7

289-271-1024

www.animalassistance.petfinder.com “Like” us on Facebook

42 Years of Caring for the Animals in the Niagara Region

Kitten season is upon us! Financial donations are urgently needed!
OUR TEAM
AAS Fundraiser
President
Anthony Savoia HOORAY! ITS SPRING
WE ARE HAVING OUR SPRING BAZAAR & SILENT AUCTION!
Vice-President
Denise Gilby Our Spring 2023 Bazaar & Silent Auction will be held on Saturday May 6, 2023 at
Club Heidelberg, 569 Lake Street, St. Catharines, from 9am-3pm
Directors
Lesley McGlenister Please mark it on your calendar and join us at
Kerri Fortier our largest fundraising event!
Cassie Roach
Tammy Theoret Silent Auction, Rummage, Bake & Craft items,
Penny Table, White Elephant, Refreshments,
Michael Palermo
Raffles and so much more!
Elenor Freure,Hon
Auction items needed. Please call Kelly @ 905-
Treasurer 321-3095 to volunteer, or to donate an auction
Kelly Goodman item, baked goods or rummage items.

Secretary
Margaret Pinder
THE IMPORTANT BENEFITS OF HAVING A PET
Newsletter
Kelly Goodman
We as a society do not realize the amazing benefits of having a pet. It is so emotionally
powerful when you arrive home to a loyal companion. The unconditional love of a pet can
do more than keep you company. There have been many studies that pets decrease stress,
improve heart health, and even help children with their emotional and social skills.
CONTACT US Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related
hormone) and lower blood pressure. Studies have found that animals can reduce loneliness,
increase feelings of social support, and boost your mood as they serve as a source of comfort
Phone: and support. Therapy dogs are especially good at this as they are sometimes brought into
hospitals or nursing homes to help reduce patients’ stress and anxiety. Dogs may also aid in
289-271-1024 the classroom. One study found that dogs can help children with ADHD focus their
attention. In older adults, the role of pet ownership may provide a sense of purpose and
Tax Receipts are meaning, reducing loneliness and increasing socialization. These benefits may also increase
issued for resilience in older adults against mental health disorders, which may positively influence
their mental health outcomes. Another study found that pets, through serving as a distraction
donations of $15.00 from typical symptoms and encouraging activity, helped people cope with depression and
or more other long-term mental health issues. Pet owners laugh more – one study found that those
with dogs or cats laughed more in their daily lives than people without pets. Enjoy the un-
conditional love of a pet as they provide more than we can imagine.
AAS
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AAS RESCUE STORIES — Follow their progress on our Facebook page

Minnie is approximately 1-2 years old and was found abandoned in a field. She had some health
concerns from the beginning and a vet determined that she had a massive parasite infection which
was invasive throughout her intestines. Minnie will remain in foster care until she recovers from
this infection. She will then be spayed, receive booster vaccines & a microchip before going up for
adoption!

Lavender was found by a good Samaritan on a country road. Covered in fleas and filth,
Lavender was very anemic and extremely underweight. Her eyes were infected and she has a
severe upper respiratory infection. After receiving vet car, she is staying with a foster family
and when she recovers, she will be looking for her forever home.

Marcey was a 9 month old pregnant kitten who was surrendered to AAS. She had a
prolapsed uterus with 6 kittens who appeared to be dead. Vet staff were able to get her
Marcey’s Kittens kittens breathing again and warmed up, but they are not out of the woods yet. Due to
5 days old extensive damage, Marcey passed away shortly after. Her kittens are in the care of a foster
family who are performing around the clock bottle feeding. Unfortunately, one of the
kittens became ill suddenly and passed away. So far, the rest of the kittens are doing well.

Jerry was adopted from Animal Assistance almost 2 years ago. He was in very rough shape
when he came to us. He had a hematoma on one ear which was treated but left him with a
cauliflower ear. Unfortunately, the ear recently became badly infected and he needed to have
emergency surgery to amputate it. His owner went ahead with the surgery in spite of the cost.
The medical bills to date have already exceeded $1700. Jerry is doing well and is back at
home with his owner recovering. Thank you to his mom for taking such good care of Jerry.

These featured rescue stories are just a small number of the animals that Animal Assistance has recently helped. These
rescues would not have been possible without your generous donations! So many animals are in distress and only can be
helped if funds permit. Please consider a special gift to Animal Assistance to ensure we can continue to address the on-going
and often expensive requirements of surgeries, vet expenses and their recovery.

Safety Alerts
Spring Dangers for your Feline Companion

Finally Spring has Sprung, but so has a list of new dangers for your furry friends! As we start our annual spring cleaning, be
cognizant that all cleaners (even natural ones) contain chemicals that are harmful to your pets, so read and follow label instruc-
tions for proper use and storage. Easter Treats and Party Decorations are also extremely dangerous. Vet emergency clinics are
filled with cases of pets having eaten left over chocolate, or plastic grass decorations which can cause obstructed digestive tracts,
severe vomiting, dehydration and death. Screen Yourself - many pet parents welcome the breezy days of spring by opening their
windows. Unfortunately, they also unknowingly put their pets at risk—especially cats, who are apt to jump or fall through un-
screened windows. Be sure to install snug and sturdy screens in all of your windows. Toxic Flowers - while lilies, tulips, daffo-
dils, and azaleas may look nice in your home this time of year, veterinarians warn they can make your feline friends very sick.
A quick google search will give you a list of flowers that are harmful, so please take a second to research how to keep your home
safe. Keep your Cats inside – They will LIVE LONGER! - by removing the threat of poisons, predators, cruel people, being
struck by a car, disease and parasites, you’re giving your pet the best chance at a long and healthy life. As we transition out of
another winter, enjoy and embrace the beautiful change of seasons, but also be aware of the avoidable dangers that this change
can bring into your home. Cheers to a happy and healthy life, to you and your furry friends!

MAKE NOTE!
Ontario has launched an animal-cruelty hotline: If you think an animal is in distress or is being abused,
call: 1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625). Please make note of this very important number to contact if you
witness or suspect animal abuse.
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Events & Announcements

Animal Assistance Society has been volunteering monthly since May

Notice: AAS Meetings
We hold our monthly meetings at
Williams Fresh Café in Niagara Falls
All are welcome to attend
Please contact us for the dates
2017 at the Delta Bingo in St. Catharines. From October 2022 to
February 2023, we have received $ 10,952.09.
Animal Assistance Society is proud to participate in Charitable Gaming
through Delta Bingo and Gaming St. Catharines. Your ongoing financial
support allows us to offer much needed programs and services. When
we come together, we make things possible for our community. Thank
you Delta Bingo for your support

Thank You / Acknowledgement

PetSmart, St. Catharines-for your food and pet supply donations and your ongoing support of our adoption program. Thank you
for allowing us to come in and do the pet laundry every week. Many thanks to our volunteers Margaret and Irene for doing
the laundry.
PetValu, Bunting Road, St. Catharines, and Thorold -Thank you for your ongoing food donations and support of our adoption
program.
Ruffin’s, 170 Hartzel Road, St. Catharines -Thank you for raising $800 on their Christmas Basket Raffle . Thank you also for
your donations from nail trims, food donations and your ongoing support of our adoption program.
Ruffin’s, Fonthill– Thank you for your food donations and your ongoing support of our adoption program.
Global Pet Foods-Thank you for all your ongoing support, food and donations.
SLP Computers- Thank you for including Animal Assistance in your "E-waste Fur Animals" re-cycling program. For further
information please go to our Animal Assistance Facebook page for more information.
St. Catharines Animal Hospital—special thank you for all you do for us and your community pet food initiative that collected
donations of pet food for our organization.
Heartland Niagara Animal Hospital - thank you for your “picture with Santa paws” fundraiser with all proceeds going to AAS.
Raffle Tickets: Big thank you to all who purchased our winter raffle tickets. Congratulations to: 1st place winner Erin Drever -
$300.00 cash, 2nd place Cheryl Journeay—$150 LCBO gift card, and 3rd place winner Chrissy Lohnes—$100 Canadian Tire Gift
Card

Thank you Terri from Boreal Pet Foods who donated

$220.00 to the animals in our care from the Boreal
table at our Nov 5th Annual Bazaar & Silent
Auction.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU FROM ANIMAL ASSISTANCE TO OUR MONTHLY DONORS!

Your ongoing monthly contributions help provide much needed funding for animals in distress in
periods of low donations. Please consider becoming a monthly contributor through our Canada
helps and PayPal secure donation pages. Go to our Facebook page for the direct links to both
Canada Helps and PayPal.

Thank you so much to everyone who donates to Animal Assistance Society

whether its financial donations, donations of items to our bazaar’s and garage
sales, or supporting us by attending our events. Without your generous
donations we would not be able to assist animals in need.

Volunteers and Foster Homes Desperately Needed

We are in URGENT need of EVENT VOLUNTEERS, TRANSPORTATION VOLUNTEERS and FOSTER
HOMES. Please contact AAS at 289-271-1024
 In Memoriam

• In Memory of Ernie Welke • In memory of Ron Quinsey by T. Quinsey,

• In Memory of Molly thank you for your Generous Donation
• In Memory of Marcey • In memory of Keith Goodman
• In Memory of Verna Copeland • In Memory of Betty White
• In Memory of Freddy Matheson • In Memory of Tenzing Gordon
• In Memory of Blackie • In Memory of Sugar
• In Memory of Charlie
• In Memory of Sherry Johnston IN HONOUR
• In Memory of Silas • In Honour of Shari Foreht
• In Memory of Don Partington • In Honour Audrey Jane Perfetto Slack
• In Memory of Johannes VanBreda
• In Memory of Boo
• In Memory of Nicky
• In Memory of Daisie
• In Memory of Fortune & Buddy
• In Memory of Blackie
• In Memory of Charlie

Donating has never been easier. You can donate thru Canada Helps,
Paypal and by banking etransfer to: aasdonations2021@gmail.com.
Receipts are issued for donations $15.00 and over.

Just a friendly reminder that all 2023

membership fees are due. Kindly, please
AAS Membership forward your payment.

Donation:
$200.00 ❑ $100.00 ❑
Other ❑ __________
Membership (Jan. to Dec. )
Adult Membership $15.00 ❑
Family Membership $25.00 ❑
I prefer to be a Silent Member
In Memoriam (human or animal) ❑
Congratulatory Message ❑
Name:____________________________
$50.00 ❑
Address: __________________________________________
Postal Code: ___________________________
Phone: ________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________
In Memoriam: ______________________________________
❑ _________________________________________________
Congratulatory Message: _____________________________
_________________________________________________