Dogs Deserve Better Delivers Valentines to 7232 Dogs in it's 5th Annual Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week, February 7-14, 2007

The bad news: We didn't reach our 8,000 goal this year. The good news: It was a great goal to strive for (we definitely had to REACH), and we sent 1,955 more than last year, for a total of 7,232!

We attribute much of our campaign success to the generous sponsorship of Best Friends, as well as the Best Friend's Network, which embraced the campaign and put it out to the main network as well as many of the state pages. HSUS also put the word out for us, and we received a few letters from classes who participated as a result of seeing the campaign in HSUS Kind News. Muttscomics.com put the news out in their e-newsletter, and many articles ran nationwide; we appreciate the support of all who got the word out!

One aspect of the DDB Area Rep responsibilities is to contribute 10 addresses to the campaign each year, and 2007 marked the second year DDB awarded prizes for the top three reps in address contribution. This year's first prize goes to Dawn Ashby, Illinois Area Rep, with 145 addresses. Dawn's done a remarkable job this year; she took a break last year and came back just on FIRE! She's been getting dogs off chains left and right and into rescue, so much so that we asked her to write an article about just HOW she does it...read about her techniques here.

2nd place goes to North Carolina Area Rep Shari Strader, with her second win, at 112 addresses, almost double her contribution from last year. Ohio Area Rep Christy Dotson, with 89 addresses, took third this year, and is another rep who's successful chained/penned dog rescues boggle our mind...a big thanks to ALL participating reps, we've got some amazing people working with us!

Drea de Luca's New Jersey 5th Grade Class participates for the third year.

Preparations for the event started in early January, when we sent out a press release and e-mail requesting help from students and other groups to make Valentines for the project. This year we were overwhelmed with Valentines, more than doubling last year's participation! We received a total of 10,715 fabulously fun, heart-touching Valentines from 249 different groups and individuals, along with some great letters. We placed 2 cards each in many of the Valentines that were sent out, so we could use as many as possible since everyone worked so hard...but still have some left-over.

Bellwood, PA Groups stuffing Valentines

The educational value gained by the children and groups making the Valentines is equal to or greater than the value of those receiving the Valentines, which is what makes this campaign so unique and note-worthy; it works from both sides of the equation. Below, read some excerpts of letters received from those who made Valentines:

From Kimberly Cierech, New Jersey: "I came across your website last month and wanted to help with your Valentine campaign. The cards are being sent from children in grades First through Sixth. They worked hard on the project, and as you can see by reading some of the letters, many became very passionate about a dog's right to be loved and cared for."

From Sarah LeBreton, Michigan: "It was our pleasure to participate in making Valentines...Three third grade classes participated. We discussed how important it is for dogs to have attention, be kept inside with the family, and what to do if you suspect a dog is being treated poorly."

From Sallie, Wisconsin: "It is close to Valentine's Day, and could you send one of these cards to Ozzie, a 10 plus year old dog of mixed breed. The light has gone out of his eyes, and his bark is now nothing more than a small sound..." (Sallie, if you're reading this, please contact Carolyn, who wants to try to help Ozzie further. We cannot find your contact info.)

From Claudia Sisti, Pennsylvania: "I volunteer for Furry Friends Network, and my 4th grade ESL students made these cards. While I was explaining why we were making them, one of my girls, Alondra, cried. This cause really touched her. Sure hope the cards open other's eyes too."

From Melanie, Pennsylvania: "While our workers were making Valentines, one of the staff members revealed he had a chained dog. Well, as a result he decided to bring his dog into the home! I've told him I'll assist him, and we can ask you for help if needed too."

Read MORE WONDERFUL notes from our contributors

And the boys seem VERY excited about making Valentines!

Of the packages of valentines mailed to Dogs Deserve Better, 79 of the 249 came from school classes and student clubs, 9 from other youth and scout groups, 16 from human needs and welfare groups or organizations, 11 from animal welfare groups, and 134 from individuals.

Bellwood, PA Groups stuffing Valentines

Valentines came in from 37 states and the District of Columbia, with the most coming from New York, where 29 groups or individuals participated. Pennsylvania was a close second with 27, and Florida was third with 16 groups or individuals participating, followed by Illinois with 15, North Carolina with 14, Michigan with 13, New Jersey with 12, and Ohio with 10. We also received valentines from volunteers or groups in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia, Arkansas, Texas, Indiana, Maine, Washington, Utah, Iowa, South Carolina, Missouri, Vermont, Rhode Island, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Colorado, Oregon, California, Minnesota, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, Arizona, New Hampshire, Washington D.C., Canada, and all the way from Korea. Thanks so much to all groups and individuals who sent valentines!

We've photographed many of the valentines on this and subsequent pages; if your's doesn't appear this year, make sure we know for next year so we can get you featured then. The Valentines were absolutely gorgeous; some of them we didn't even want to send out they were so precious!

In 2006 we sent out 5277 Valentines nationwide/worldwide, this year's campaign surpassed that by 1,955 Valentines, sending or delivering 7,232. Valentines went to every state in the nation except South Dakota. Pennsylvania dogs received the most valentines, with a total of 1457, followed by North Carolina with 659, Ohio with 529, and Texas with 509.

DDB held two Valentine stuffing parties in State College, PA and Bellwood, PA, with over 50 volunteers showing up to help stuff envelopes, 4x as many as last year! The State College stuffing party was led by DDB veterans Terri Bunge and Amy Smith, and drew 29 people. (List to come.) The Bellwood Library stuffing party was organized by Tammy Grimes and Kim Campbell, and drew 23 people. We finished all up except for the stragglers and some that had to be hand-written, which were taken home by volunteers. Special thanks to ALL who gave of their time to help get the Valentines on their way! (Thanks to: Alyson Eck, Linda Irvin, Evelyn Eck, Jody Brumbaugh, Erin Isenberg, Tammy Root, Betty Perchy, Lisa Litz, Lacey Wertz, Angie Hildebrand, Mary Lou Rubine, Chuck and Reni Estep, Karen Sackandy, Paula Rinkar, Robyn Fanelli, Blenda Patterson, Joann Woods, Trudy Schroth, Beverly Hollabaugh, and Helen Mueller.)

Successes are rolling in, and so far we've had two phone requests for help with fencing and housetraining as a result of the campaign: one home in Hamilton, Texas, and one home in Fairland, Indiana.

From Illinois: "I think my neighbors took the Valentine Card to heart. They bring the dogs in at night now and that makes me incredibly happy. I drove past the other day and they were outside romping in the snow...and looked...well...happy, perky and I was so pleased. Thank you so much...you made a difference for these 2 dogs. I hope the family will let me play with them. I am not sure how to approach them, but it's something I want to do. Again...thank you so much for the Valentine cards."

From PA Rep Tena Emerson, "Two dogs, a chocolate lab and a terrier mix have been taken inside by their owners after getting their Valentines card. I have been working with this family for some time. The husband was all for bringing in the dogs and wife not...she told me 'that Valentines card just did it, it pushed me to the yes'. Her husband said he was very happy when she said 'bring them in' with tears running down her face. Well, after getting their valentines cards, the dogs are happy inside and groomed. I have let them know I am here if they need anything..."

From New York: "I just found out from my sister that the beagle is finally off that horrible chain!  I asked her to go back in a week to make sure he's still off it."

From South Carolina: "I received a phone call last night from the "caretakers". I was told that their daughter is coming to get him to take him home with her tonight. He assured me that the dog was going to be living in the house with her, and she was not going to do the same thing, pen him or chain him. I can only hope that this is all true. I asked him to please pass my number on to the daughter, in case she needed some help."

From Heather Shirley, Michigan: "Yesterday I got lots of awesome 2 x 6 boards from the dumpster at school and cut the wood for decking to raise doghouses. Today I went to 5 homes and either gave the caregiver lots of straw or put the straw in the houses myself. Tomorrow I am building decking for underneath one of the dog's houses. Several of the houses I revisited had their dogs inside.  I think this effort is helping a great deal. One lady gave me $10.  I told her to send it to you, but she wanted me to use it to keep handing out straw, so I went and bought more straw with it.

From Martha Honus, North Carolina: "I am a volunteer with Carolina Poodle Rescue. One of our members lives in your area and gave us information on your organization. I sent a neighbor's dog a valentine. It is a beautiful brindle dog that is tied to a tree with a piece of loose tarp for a house. I found out their name and address and sent one of the Valentines to the pup. On February 16 the little dog had a little barn house and is not always tied out there now. Thank you so much for the valentine."

From Jill Anderson, Virginia: "We were in PA for a short visit over the weekend and we were so thrilled...when we walked our dogs yesterday before heading home, we saw a shepherd dog loose, so Aric went over to him and thought it might have been one of the ones that we sent a Valentine to because it was basically in front of their house.  When he went to the door to knock and ask if it was their dog, they seemed surprised that he was out and said yes, thanks, and called him into the house and their two other dogs were inside too!  That is the first time we haven't seen those dogs outside on a trip up there. Also, the other house where they had about 4 dogs tied out during the days, only the chow that has a dog house was outside, the others were all inside."

If you sent in addresses and see any success, please send us the story so we can continue to update our listings and remove them from our database, they really help motivate us to continue!

Other Groups Participating in Chain Off

This is the first year we've had local groups ask to participate in the Have a Heart Campaign, and we'd like to carry that further next year. If you are a member of a local anti-chaining organization or an organization that embraces the anti-chaining philosophy, please consider joining us for Have a Heart for Chained Dogs 2008. We will supply brochures for your campaign, and we will post your report too, as well as add your numbers to the general campaign totals. If you participated this year, please send us a report asap!

Glocester Volunteer Services for Animals - Rhode Island

We extended the campaign for the whole month of February because several kind people put ads in publications asking for addresses, one will run all month in The Woonsocket Call and one is in Animal Print Magazine that comes out for Febuary/March in mid-month.  What an outpouring of support!  We've delivered Valentine's to 9 of 15 addresses, 12 dogs in all. We took photos of some great cards a fellow GVSA members daughter's Girl Scout Troop made. Amazing what kids come up with!! —Tammy Weston-Graves

Stats from the event:

Groups/Individuals who created and mailed Valentines: 249
To read a list of Valentine contributors, click here

States in which Valentines were created: 37
29 Packages came from New York, 27 from Pennsylvania, 16 from Florida, 15 from Illinois, 14 from North Carolina, 13 from Michigan, 12 from New Jersey, 10 from Ohio, 9 from Texas, 8 from Indiana, 7 from California, 6 from Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts, 5 from Arkansas, and Georgia, 4 from Maryland, Washington, and West Virginia, 3 from South Carolina, Missouri, Kentucky, D.C., and Arizona, 2 from Maine, Utah, Iowa, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, and Nevada, and 1 from Vermont, Rhode Island, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama, and New Hampshire. We also received 2 from Canada, 1 from Korea, and 5 anonymous packages.

Volunteers who stuffed Valentines: 52

Valentines sent/delivered total: 7,232
Broken down by state/country

Canada
Manitoba, Canada: 2
Ontario, Canada: 12
British Columbia, Canada: 5
Alberta, Canada: 20

United States
Alaska: 1
Alabama: 50
Arkansas: 110
Arizona: 56
California: 134
Colorado: 21
Connecticut: 22
Delaware: 68
Florida: 237
Georgia: 401
Hawaii: 2
Iowa: 38
Idaho: 49
Illinois: 291
Indiana: 403
Kansas: 46
Kentucky: 45
Louisiana: 28
Massachusetts: 55
Maryland: 185
Maine: 32
Michigan: 155
Minnesota: 29
Mississippi: 19
Missouri: 141
Montana: 4
North Carolina: 659
Nebraska: 17
Nevada: 13
New Hampshire: 18
New Jersey: 78
New Mexico: 43
New York: 373
Ohio: 529
Oklahoma: 30
Oregon: 45
Pennsylvania: 1457
Rhode Island: 23
South Carolina: 145
South Dakota: 10
Tennessee: 233
Texas: 509
Utah: 23
Virginia: 186
Vermont: 13
Washington: 47
Wisconsin: 47
West Virginia: 68
Wyoming: 6

This year the only state that didn't have a Valentine sent to it was North Dakota.

If you are in a state where you know there are a lot of chained or penned dogs, but you see hardly any Valentines mailed there, please get addresses right now, and we will mail them letters and brochures. It's important to start the educational process as soon as possible.

Thanks so much to all who participated, we are making a difference in those dogs lives!

Please help our work to continue!
Any donations you make will be tax deductible.

If you'd like to donate via regular USPS mail, you may print out this form in .pdf format, and send to P.O. Box 23, Tipton, PA 16684

Want to see more photos? Click here.