AQUA DOC PRESENTS: RESCUE VILLAGE

Rescue Village Puts the FUN in FUNdraising

If dogs could leave Yelp reviews, they might write things like, ‘Rescue Village saved my life’ (get it, yelp?). Not that dogs are the only animal waiting to be your new BFF at Geauga’s preeminent animal shelter, Rescue Village; there’s also cats of all ages, rabbits, gerbils, pigs, some gorgeous chickens, and even a Shetland pony out back named Teddy (to name just a few). It’s been called

Rescue Village

15463 Chillicothe Rd. Russell Twp., OH 44072 440-338-4819 www.rescuevillage.org

Hours

Fri-Sun 12pm - 4pm Monday Closed Tues-Wed 12pm - 4pm Thursday Closed

PLAN YOUR VISIT!

a gem in the crown of Geauga County. No wonder; Upon entry, guests are greeted by a refreshingly odor-free lobby, and depending on your luck, a batch of kittens might be ready for their adoption closeup just to your right. Prepare to be overwhelmed by all the cute if you’re taking the full tour.

Rescue Village, also known as the Geauga Humane Society, was founded 48 years ago by a passionate community of humans whose common goal was making life better for animals. Today, Rescue Village operates a stateof-the-art shelter and veterinary clinic for homeless animals, a teaching facility for the community and an adoption agency. It’s also a private, non-profit, non-government law enforcement agency that upholds Ohio’s animal anti-cruelty laws and prosecutes those who break them. At its current location on Chillicothe Rd (open since 2001), the shelter has facilitated over 9,000 adoptions in the last five years alone. Each year Rescue Village accepts hundreds of owner-surrendered dogs and cats, with cats outnumbering dogs due to the many strays, 150 so far since January. That’s just the adult cats – 566 kittens were placed last year. Boasting a 98% live release rate among dogs, cats,

“Our foster volunteers are so crucial to this work.”

- Kenneth Clarke, Executive Director

and domesticated barn animals, once an animal comes to Rescue Village, they are nursed to health as necessary, treated with care and nearly always matched with their new foster or forever home, no matter how long it takes. Most dogs and cats will spend less than three weeks waiting to be adopted, up a bit since last year when it took about 11 days (puppies and kittens will always go quicker).

Last March, Kenneth Clarke was named Rescue Village’s Executive Director. A recent Chicago transplant and native of Northeast Ohio, Clarke has spent his career in the nonprofit sector; Before Rescue Village, he last led Pritzker Military Museum & Library. Clarke’s unlikely background made him just right for the role, according to External Affairs Director Lisa Ishee: “To not come from that specific animal welfare mindset, I think has been really beneficial. He brings in such a fresh approach from all of his experience in the marketing and the development field.” Since Clarke’s arrival, Rescue Village currently engages supporters through its user-friendly website (with adoptee profiles), a lively Instagram and Facebook community of 35,000 followers, direct mail campaigns and two big annual fundraising events - the Tails at Twilight Gala in June and the legendary Woofstock every September.

Woofstock (formerly known as the ‘Rescue Village Ramble and Four-Footed Festival’ until 2006), is the largest dog festival in Northeast Ohio - next year will be its 30-year anniversary. Woofstock provides many benefits for local businesses looking to support a great cause and create exposure with ad dollars in the process. This year’s fundraising goal is $125,000, with tiered sponsorship opportunities available for businesses starting at $15,000, and as low as $750. Clarke points out the benefits for sponsors: “With a $15,000 sponsorship, you know that you’re going to get in front of a lot of people. It’s a good investment for a business because, in addition to that exposure, they’re helping something great happen on a

ONE DAY OF PEACE, MUSIC, & PUPS

Who:

4,000 humans and 2,500 dogs. All are welcome. Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. You don’t have to jump the fence!

What:

Food trucks! Beer garden! Music! Games for people and pups! Featuring a commemorative t-shirt by renowned Flow & Friends cartoonist, Jenny Campbell!

Where:

Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field / S Woodland Rd, Chagrin Falls

When:

September 11th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Why:

Rescue Village relies on donations and volunteers. All proceeds from Woofstock help give animals a second chance at life