NEWSLETTER – The Paw Print Summer 2024

In June 2018, I began my career at the shelter as the new Executive Director. During my first several weeks on the job, I spent my days meeting with board members, staff, donors, and volunteers to learn more about the shelter and to help prioritize the work ahead of us. There was a common theme to these meetings — ECCHA needed a new shelter! It didn’t take me long to learn about the dreams of a new shelter on everyone’s mind.

The dream is now a reality. Fast forward six years and we are in our new 15,000-square-foot facility planning our grand opening event on July 13th. It took years of planning. It took an entire community to build this new $6.5 million facility. It took a lot of hard work from our volunteers, staff, and board members. The day we moved into the new shelter was emotional. To see the shelter animals have more space, natural light, and a cleaner and safer environment was amazing. I am truly humbled that I was picked to lead this project and can’t thank the community enough for supporting us.

In July, we will have a grand opening. We will once again open our doors to the public and help place more animals in loving homes. We are still working though and adoptions continue by appointment only for the time being. We hope that you will join us in July for this grand event.

In closing, with this new shelter comes new costs. Our operating budget has increased 25% with the new facility. More than ever, we appreciate your support as donors throughout the years! Every donation counts and helps us serve more homeless animals!

The Eau Claire County Humane Association (ECCHA) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kayla Johnson as our newest Humane Officer. While Kayla steps into this position with fresh enthusiasm, she is no stranger to ECCHA, having been an integral part of the organization for the past six years.

We wanted to take the opportunity to share our friends at Mr. Kitty’s Cat Cafe! While they are a separate business from ECCHA, they are essentially a foster home for 10-15 adoptable cats at a time! Since opening in April, they have adopted out over 20 cats (as of May 1)!

Make sure to stop by their business in downtown Eau Claire. Scheduling an appointment online to see cats is highly encouraged, but at times they will have walk-in availability.

Mr. Kitty’s Cat room is run by ECCHA volunteers — learn more and sign up here.

ECCHA is bringing in a lot of new, fun ideas this year! THE TOP FUNDRAISER’S PET GETS TO BE THE OFFICIAL FIDO AMBASSADOR FOR THE NEXT YEAR! Including a large portrait in the shelter, a CASH prize, and the ability to participate in marketing efforts for 2025! They will then pass the torch to the 2025 winner at the next Fido.

PLUS, for every $100 participants raise for ECCHA, they are entered into a drawing for a Doggy Vacation Package with Hayward Cabins! The winner will enjoy a 3-night pet-friendly stay at one of their rentals.

Registration is LIVE — sign up here!

June 22nd | Phoenix Park

Join ECCHA and the RCU foundation for the 30th annual Rock the Riverfront Race! Multiple lengths and age groups available. Register and vote for ECCHA to help us with $15,000 for homeless animals in Eau Claire!

LaLa is a very sweet senior dog who was surrendered to ECCHA. LaLa loves to hang out with people of any age and does very well with the other dogs here. LaLa absolutely LOVES the car and wants nothing more than to stick her head out the window. Her most favorite thing to do though is to curl up and take a nap with her person.

ECCHA is slated to open to the public again after our Grand Opening on July 13th. Remember, we are still open for adoptions and other appointments until then!