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Heartland Events for the Animals!

Heartland Animal Shelter presents a variety of events throughout the year. Some focus on education and awareness, some focus on fundraising and some are just plain fun! All of them have the ultimate goal of helping the animals we care for. Please visit our events page regularly to see what is coming up and for a report on past events.

Make your ride memorable, create an online fundraising page and raise pledges for the animals, click here to see details below!

Would You Like to Sponsor HOGs for Dogs and Kitties Too? Click Here for Sponsorship Benefits.

Upcoming Events!

Sept. & Oct. Chocolates for Charities!

Pet Wellness Class

Oct. 3rd

HOWL-O-WEEN

Wine Tasting

Oct. 29th

4th Annual Golden Paw Gala! Nov. 13th

Host Your Own

Event!

Past Events

Heartland Event Pictures!

Ways To Help

the Animals!

4th Annual HOGS for DOGS

and Kitties Too!**

Sun., Sept. 19th 2010

Visit Shelter 9:30-10:30am

Ride Starts at Heartland

2975 Milwaukee Ave.

Northbrook, IL 60062

first bike out at 10:45 am

**Click here to learn about Heartland Alumnus Harley and how HOGs For Dogs and Kitties Too started!

All vehicles are welcome! Join us for a great ride starting at Heartland Animal Shelter and ending with great food at Side-Outs Bar & Eatery at 4018 Roberts Rd. in Island Lake, IL! Food is free for registered attendees! Pre-registration is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Register now via Paypal above. Children 12 and under $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

Print and share this HOGS for DOGS and Kitties too flyer!

HOGs for Dogs 2010 and Kitties Too! Pre-Registration $25.00*

*Note if you register via the web, simply bring your pay pal receipt to check in the day of the event. No tickets will be mailed as this helps us save more funds for the animals.

Make your ride memorable and raise pledges for the animals by creating your personal HOGS for DOGS and Kitties too online fundraising page now at www.firstgiving.com/has! It is so easy to do and the animals will love you for it!

Here are the three easy steps to start your online fundraising page at www.firstgiving.com/has:

1) Click the Get Started button.

2) Personalize the text and add a photo of your bike and/or your pets on your Online Fundraising Page.

3) Send the link out to your friends, family, colleagues - anyone you think will help you reach your goal for the animals!

Bring a donation from the Heartland Wish List and receive a raffle ticket for each item for chances to win several great raffle prizes!

Pre-Register on-line via pay pal above and simply "check in" the day of the event with your pay pal receipt at event check in. No tickets are printed which help us to save more funds for the animals.

Or if you prefer you can pre-register via mail. Please make check payable to Heartland Animal Shelter. Mail to Heartland Animal Shelter at 2975 Milwaukee Ave., Northbrook, IL 60062. Please include your email address or phone number and we will email or call to confirm we received your pre-registration. No tickets are printed which help us to save more funds for the animals. Then "check in" the day of the event stating you pre-registered via mail.

You can also pre-register in person at the shelter during regular hours of operation.

Thank you for reading about Harley's story and how HOGs for Dogs and Kitties Too all started! Also, please give Harley a hearty round of applause as this year Harley's Inspiring Story received 27% of the votes in the NEW LIVES, Inspiring Stories Contest! The book NEW LIVES by Joanne Wannan tells the inspiring, true stories of dogs who have come from shelters and the streets, and have gone on to perform miracles in animal therapy and as service dogs. These heartwarming tales of hope, healing and second chances, proves that it never too late for miracles. Harley and his parents entered the contest and, as a winner, proceeds from the sale of NEW LIVES will be made to the Heartland Animal Shelter! Read Harley’s Inspiring Story below and click here to learn more about NEW LIVES and purchase a copy of this wonderful book. A big thank you to Harley and his parents Jim and Debbie McHugh!

Harley’s Story:

I’m Harley, a 3-1/2 year old Weimaraner. I was surrendered to Heartland Animal Shelter in Northbrook Illinois along with 4 of my siblings by a breeder that couldn’t find us a home. My shelter name was “Wild Thing”, which should give you a clue about me. I was a bouncy, playful guy that was given lots of love and attention in my days at the shelter.

One day at the shelter, volunteers Jim & Debbie came in to spend time in the kennels walking dogs. Jim immediately fell for me and my siblings the minute he saw us. They inquired about us with hesitation, since Weimeraners are known for their high-energy and they already had 2 other dogs at home, Heidi a German Shepherd, and Harvard a Lab/boxer mix. Debbie brought Heidi and Harvard in for a meet and greet to be sure everyone would accept me as a new member of the family. Happily accepted by all, I now spend my days playing with my new big sister and little brother, chasing squirrels and burning my energy at Playful Paws Doggy Daycare.

Since Jim and Debbie were volunteers at Heartland and always did whatever they could to help the animals at the shelter, they decided to try to find a way to help even more. With a name like “Harley”, what do you think Jim and Debbie’s favorite hobby was? Riding Harleys of course. Jim had an idea that he and Debbie could combine their two favorite hobbies – riding Harleys and helping animals to start a fundraiser to help Heartland Animal Shelter. Motorcycle riders spent much of their time riding for charities because it gives them a place to ride and join a group of friends while supporting a charity. Most riders are animal lovers with a heart of gold under all that leather, and love to share their passion with other riders. In September 2007, Hogs for Dogs and Kitties Too! was born, with me, Harley as the spokes dog to help all my furry friends at Heartland. Posters and flyers were sent out everywhere with a caricature of me on a motorcycle. I also became the icon of Hogs for Dogs and Kitties Too on posters and patches. The event was exhilarating and exciting with our first turn out of 80 motorcycles and over 100 participants, raising over $3000. We enlisted the help of sponsors and raffle prize donations through friends and local businesses. The parade of motorcycles and vehicles rode 60 miles through the northwest suburbs and the after party was held at Side-Outs Bar & Grill in Island Lake, with food, refreshments, live band, and raffles.

Each year, the Hogs for Dogs and Kitties Too ride is held the 3rd Sunday of September and it grows and grows. As Debbie and Jim prepare for the fourth annual ride, they continue to attract riders from all over the Chicago-land area raising awareness of our small community shelter and increasing the pool of potential adopters who have learned about Heartland. The ride continues to be a big success raising funds to support our not-for-profit shelter, which houses over 40 dogs and 100 cats at any one time. This helps all my furry friends have a safe haven to live until they find their forever homes, where they can live happily ever after like I do now with Jim, Debbie, Heidi and Harvard.