New for 2010, "CD Jewel Case Calendars" filled with beautiful photos of FOS pets. Perfect gifts for teachers, youth leaders, coworkers, holiday grab bags, friends and family. Easy to wrap, useful and fun to give – and get! Order yours today by emailing us, or by calling the shelter at 815-872-7387.

CLOSEOUT: Now only $5.00 each!

We have sold out of the calendars. Many thanks to everyone who purchased one for your support!

If you love golf or if you love pets or if you support animal rescue work, then the John Deere PGA Classic, beginning July 5th, in East Moline, should be penciled in your calendar! As part of this multi-million dollar event, John Deere and other business sponsors, are financially supporting the ―Birdies for Charity‖ program. This year, Friends of Strays is a registered John Deere charity; with your help, the shelter can receive a cash award, and you can have a chance to win one of more than a hundred prizes, -- the top prize, a NEW CAR!

In a few weeks, Friends of Strays will send out Birdies for Charity Pledge cards. You'll have an opportunity to make a one-time donation to Friends of Strays, or, you can pledge pennies (or more!) for birdies. For every birdie in this year's John Deere Golf Tournament, you pledge would be the total number of those birdies multiplied by the penny amout you pledge. Last year, 1,914 birdies were scored in the Tournament. If you had pledged one penny for each of those birdies for FOS, your total pledge would be $19.14; two cents per birdie scored -- $38.28, and so on.

When you pledge -- either as a single donation, or as a pledge amount based on birdies -- you'll also be asked to make your best guess on the number of birdies that you think will be scored in the 2010 Tournment, July 5th through 11th, 2010. First prize for the correct number of birdies scored is a new car! Other prizes include a John Deere riding mower and more than 100 other wonderful prizes.

Absolutely 100 percent of all donations pledged to FOS will be given to FOS; John Deere assumes all promotional and administrative costs. Every dollar donated goes to the designated charity. In 2009, the Tournament raised more than $4.63 million dollars for 500 local and regional charities.

The birdie number for Friends of Strays is 1689. Watch for your pledge cards.

For complete rules, and information on the Tournament, go to: http://www.birdiesforcharity.com While you're visiting the site, look at the Birdie Tournament history and decide on your best guess for the number of Birdies in this year's Tournament.

The John Deere Birdies for Charity organization offers a special bonus donation for non-profits who participate every year; this bonus is based on the dollar amount of pledges received in the previous Birdies for Charity year. Let's make our first year a foundation to build on. If you do not receive you pledge card by mid-May, please email or call the Shelter at (815) 872-7387.

Working together, we can really make pennies count!

This unusual black patent leather bracelet with rhinestone buckle and heart-shaped charm is chic and comfortable – just enough sparkle to dress up or down. Inspired by the everyday rescues that make an extraordinary difference in the lives of Friends of Strays animals, each of our unique Hope Bracelets sports an actual tag representing an FOS a Friends Of Strays rescued pet.

Hope Bracelets are a great way to support the humane work of Friends of Strays, and to make a statement -- and a fashion statement – all at the same time! Quantities are very limited. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of each Hope Bracelet brightens the future of every Friends of Strays rescued pet.

Hope Bracelets, $35.00 each an exclusive Friends of Strays offer – call 1-815-872-7387 to order. Shipping is available for an additional $3.00

Promises Kept is what Friends of Strays has always been about. Providing safety and care for abandoned, neglected and abused pets has been at the center of the humane work we do every day. To help support that work, the Shelter is launching a collection of elegant and festive wines, perfect for giving and sharing. Proceeds from the wine sales will provide funds for veterinary care and sheltering expenses for pets in need. When you purchase wine from our "Promises Kept Collection," you will be directly supporting the Shelter's humane work.


Share a bottle and share our story! Go to: http://www.BenefitWines.com/friendsofstrays

Cozy and classic, FOS sweatshirts are comfortable and warm. Made from a poly/cotton blend, these shirts keep their shape, and are machine wash/tumble dry. Available in a warm yellow (gold) and a medium blue, each sporting a message that encourages pet adoptions. Adult sizes. Purchase yours now to get the best selection of colors and sizes. These sweatshirts make great gifts, too. Only $20. each. To purchase your FOS sweatshirts, please call the Shelter at: (815) 872-7387.

Now that autumn is in the air, the aroma of a truly wonderful cup of coffee or the fragrance of a splendid cup of tea is particularly warming. FOS is now offering coffee and tea from Grounds for Change, a leader in organic coffee and tea, fair trade, and on the front lines of environmental stewardship. Order for everyday…for yourself, and as gifts for others.

The Coffees – Each 12 ounce bag of coffee is certified organic and fair-trade product. They are "shade grown," which means that canopy forests remain a healthy environment for migratory songbirds. From "crop to cup" these coffees are a "net zero carbon emissions" which means a healthier planet for all of us. Packaging is from recycled paper. Coffee may be ordered as whole bean or ground.

Bolivia – Smooth and balanced with a fragrant aroma, this coffee is rich and full-bodied. It has a sweet flavor with notes of almond and hazelnut. From Bolivia.

Agate Pass – This coffee is a smooth medium dark blend of South American and Pacific coffees. Nutty flavor with a hint of caramel, almond and chocolate.

First Light Decaf – This medium dark blend with a wonderful aroma is water process decaffeinated to preserve organic certification.

The Teas – All are certified organic. Each box of tea contains 20 tea bags individually wrapped for freshness. Packaging is from recycled materials.

Jasmine Green Tea is a Chinese classic, produced only during August when the Jasmine flowers bloom. Freshly-picked blossoms are mixed with organic green tea, and later removed, leaving their ethereal floral scent behind.

Dragon Well Green Tea is one of the most famous of all Chinese teas. It has a vibrant color and very appealing nutty aroma. Particularly well known for a long finish, with a lingering bittersweetness, this is one of the most refreshing green teas in summer heat.

Earl Grey with Lavender owes its flavorful foundation to the selected organic teas from India and Ceylon. These are blended with Bergamot, a Mediterranean citrus, and then enhanced with the lightest touch of lavender blossoms. The quintessential afternoon tea.

Chamomile Spearmint Herbal Tea with Bergamot offers a restful interlude at any time. Chamomile and Spearmint are appreciated for their soothing comforts. Bergamot is the Mediterranean citrus used to perfume Earl Grey teas and it lifts spirits while calming nerves.

Northwest Blackberry Herbal Tea is a celebration of field and forest. Selected wild leaves and berries are honored around the world for the herbal brews they yield. Here in the northwest, the richness of blackberries provides a delightful cup of tea. Great served over ice!

Celtic Breakfast Black Tea is a richly flavored and robust tea. Leaf from Assam provides a rich touch of malt and Ceylon teas from mountain estates keep the blend smooth yet striking. Delightful whenever a strong cup of tea is the favored refreshment.

Teas and coffees make wonderful holiday gifts. Create your own special gift baskets, or, choose the coffees and teas, and FOS will assemble your holiday baskets. Basket orders placed by November 15th will be ready for pickup at the Shelter on December 11th.

Tea is $6.00 per box. Coffee is $10.00 per bag. Gift Basket and Assembly is an additional $6.00.

Can we ever get enough photos of our adorable pets? Here's a unique and fun way to get your photos to come together! The photo shown below is of Oscar, an FOS dog. You can see that Oscar's image is made up of many tiny image tiles of other Friends of Strays animals.

As a special fundraising activity, an FOS volunteer will create custom Pet Photomosaics. Simply provide FOS with at least 25 to 50 photos of your pet...this can be your pet alone, with family members of friends, with Santa or at the dog park...chasing a frisbee, at the Dog Walk, creating an Arf Work masterpiece or asleep on the couch...whatever photos you think best depict all the things that your dog is! Digital photos via email are best and will result in a quicker delivery; if you only have prints, or a mix of prints and digital photos, the FOS volunteer has offered to scan in your prints -- technology shouln't stand in the way of capturing the images of our pets in this unique way!

FOS photomosaics are finished with a black mat border. The image size (not including matting) of the photomosaic is 11" x 14". The cost of a Pet Photomosaic is a donation of $25. and must be prepaid when your photos are supplied. Finished Photomosaics must be picked up at the Shelter; they cannot be shipped. If you have furnished photo prints for your Pet Photomosaic, they will be returned to you along with your finished photomosaic.

Photomosaics make great gifts, too. They're unique, affordable. Even more, every donation for a Pet Photomosaic supports the important humane work of Friends of Strays.

For tips about getting great photos of your pets, click here.

Thanks to everyone who joined us in Ottawa at the 2009 Bark in the Park. It was a beautiful day, filled with fabulous dogs, and amazing Arf Work! Shown here, are three masterpieces created by FOS dogs.

The first painting is entitled, "Summer Fountains." It was created by Markie, who was adopted the day after completing his canvas! The second composition was painted by Maggie Mae. Inspired by wildlife, Maggie's work is entitled, "Coyotes in Moonlight." The third masterpiece was created by Zoe. Zoe used colors of nature to create "Asian Garden," complete with a bonsai tree, lotus petals and birds! Three lucky raffle winners took home these original Arf Works. The raffle, and the Arf Works painted by Bark in the Park canine artists, generated much needed funds for the Shelter animals.

Here, Genny and Abby demonstrate their artistic flair in the park. The finished artwork, Les fleurs et l'Herbe sur un Jour Ensoleillé, by Genny, and Dog Days of Summer, by Abby.

Thanks to everyone who voted for Friends of Strays in the Animal Rescue Site Shelter Challenge. There was incredible competition in Illinois. We were nicely set in position 3, but slipped over the last week of the contest to finish 5th out of 642 Illinois shelters. Still, our group made a remarkable showing! Nationally, we ranked an astonishing 86th out of 15,125 participating shelters.

The Animal Rescue Site will offer another Challenge in the upcoming months. We look forward to the next opportunity!

Congratulations to the winners of the Spring Raffle!

Ann Maller, of Princeton, IL, who won the Coach Purse.
Sherri Parker, of Princeton, IL, who won the Wittnauer Watch.
Gwen Balensiefen of Sparland, IL, winner of the Cat Wall Hanging.
Jean DeSabo of Dover, IL, who won a cozy Friends Of Strays Sweatshirt.
Trisha Lord of Glendale, AZ, who won a Friends Of Strays T-Shirt and cap.

Thank you, to all who participated in the raffle!