Plant sale to benefit humane society
Any animal lover can tell you that having a pet is expensive.
Between food, toys, supplies and routine veterinary care, those lovable little furballs can rack up a big bill.
It's what animal shelters experience daily -- but on a much larger scale.
Not only do they have cats and dogs waiting for homes, but they also take in injured and ill animals, as well as strays who may not have had medical care for a while.
"Any money that comes in, it goes right back out," said Pam Salomone, the public relations and special events director at the Hinsdale Humane Society. "The cost of sheltering an animal is very, very expensive."
One upcoming event gives you the chance to help while you beautify your home for the fall season.
A fall plant sale to benefit the humane society will be Sept. 1-Oct. 31 at Vern Goers Greenhouse, 5620 S. Oak St., Hinsdale.
The sale will include a variety of bulbs, mums, pumpkins, cornstalks and fall decorations.
The greenhouse will donate 10 percent of purchases made with a coupon to Hinsdale Humane Society. Coupons are available at the greenhouse and at the humane society, 22 N. Elm St., Hinsdale.
The shelter teams up with Goers Greenhouse three times per year for these fundraising sales -- spring, fall and at the holidays, Salomone said.
Other funds come from adoption fees, donations, obedience classes, therapy dog training and other services the shelter offers.
In addition to money, the shelter has other needs, too. They're pairing up with Giving DuPage to take part in "DuPage Remembers and Gives: A Day of Volunteerism" on Sept. 7-8.
They're asking for donations from their wish list on those days, items such as clay cat litter, canned cat and dog food, bleach, paper towels, stamps, cat toys, liquid laundry detergent and fabric softener, anti-bacterial hand wipes, copier and printer paper, facial tissue and toilet paper.
The shelter will accept these donations during regular shelter hours, which are 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
And, although the shelter maintains a strong volunteer base, they won't turn willing animal lovers away, Salomone said, and several opportunities are available.
"People tend to be very generous with their money and their time," she said. "They're a group of people bonded by their common love of animals."
If you go
Hinsdale Humane Society fall plant sale
When: Saturday-Oct. 31
Where: Vern Goers Greenhouse, 5620 S. Oak St., Hinsdale
Good to know: Ten percent of purchases made with a coupon will be donated to the shelter. Coupons are available at the greenhouse and at the Hinsdale Humane Society, 22 N. Elm St., Hinsdale.
Details: (630) 323-5630 or www.hinsdalehumanesociety.org