Volunteers at the Bourbon for Bingo are from left, Tom Tearney, Savanah Lopez and John Lantz.

Text and Photos
By Shari Benyousky
Guest Columnist

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — On the evening of Thursday, March 21, the Kosciusko Animal Welfare League hosted a new fundraiser: Bingo for Bourbon at the Anthology Whiskey Room in Warsaw. Tickets were sold at $200 each, and 61 people attended. “We wanted something unique, and Dan Woods suggested anthology as an option,” Executive Director Tonya Blanchard said.

Guests received three tickets for drinks and had the chance to win 10 Bingo games called by Steve Foster, plus door prizes and other drawings throughout the evening. They were also treated to a huge variety of bourbons, whiskeys, and ryes plus the expertise of the Anthology Whiskey Room staff in choosing. AWL Board members, staff, and other volunteers wore matching blue T-shirts and circulated with prizes and advice.

Kibble To Cocktails — Behind The ScenesI

I visited the Kosciusko AWL facility the week before the event. Director Tonya Blanchard greeted me holding a tiny dog dressed in an adorable rough-riding outfit complete with a tan slouch hat tied under his chin.

Tonya Blanchard cuddles a frightened new dog.

“We just received him,” Tonya told me as she gently stroked the little dog’s curls. “He’s 3 years old.” The staff was working hard to make the dog feel comfortable. His little paws quavered, but he licked my hand bravely.

Cat House Manager Kelsey Sheller and Cat Kennel Tech Sydney Langhorn showed me around the new Cat House, a separate building that allows cats to be housed apart from barking dogs. “I’m so grateful for the Cat Techs,” Kelsey told me. “They are my hands and my eyes as they interact with each cat every day cleaning cages, feeding, and checking medications.”

Sydney showed me her favorite cat Holly. “Holly has what we call wobbly-cat syndrome.” She let Holly out of her cage to show me how the cat walked. “She’s the sweetest cat ever. She doesn’t let the wobble bother her, so the other cats don’t seem to care either.” Sydney and Kelsey stroked the cat’s chin for a moment. “She kind of walks like a penguin,” Sydney chuckled.

Blanchard comforts a new arrival at AWL.

I also met Spiderman, the longest resident at AWL. “He was a bottle-fed kitten with lots of health issues and surgeries,” Kelsey stroked his head with a finger through the cage. Once we figured out a special diet for him though, now he’s fine. Everyone at the AWL shares a palpable affection for the animals and their welfare.

“I’ve learned so much working here,” Sydney said gratefully. “For cats, you must be calm and quiet.”

“And consistent,” Kelsey added. “A lot of the animals we get haven’t had any consistency in their short lives. They really respond to that.”

Director Tonya Blanchard also showed me her “Man-Cave” for male cats and “She-Shed” area for females. Both are decorated with nooks and crannies for the cats to drowse and be content. There is also an area with a bookshelf. Sometimes kids come in and read to the animals. This helps the kids learn to read better while the animals get used to being with humans.

As we walked, Director Tonya paused to interact with an animal. “I have to take six allergy pills a day to do this job,” she told me ruefully. “But I love what I do. It’s a passion that I have and so does everyone who works here. We cry together. We laugh together. We are a close family.”

The AWL also has an amazing board of directors and a caring community according to Blanchard. They have veterinarians who donate their time to help spay and neuter the animals and help with health issues too. “People have been so generous. This past year has been amazing,” Tonya smiled. “But we have more work to do.”

Tails Of Tomorrow — Upcoming Exciting Things

Female cats nappin in the she–shed.

President of the Board John Lantz showed me a schematic of a five-year plan including a donated 2.4 acres of land intended for a trail park with a developed ecosystem where volunteers can walk the dogs and use a pavilion. Lantz has been a great help to the AWL. He shrugged. “Being here is kind of my addiction.”

“We partner with places like the Cardinal Center and even businesses like Paragon, Zimmer-Biomet, and Silveous Insurance that volunteer their own staff to help,” Director Tonya added as she looked at the trail plan. “The dogs love to be walked and be with people, and the people love it too. It’s great team building.”

A special thank you to the AWL staff and volunteers for taking the time to show me around and introduce me to some adorable creatures. If you want to walk a dog or cuddle with a cat or donate something to help out, give them a call.

Wagging Winners

A Special Thank you to Bingo for Bourbon Sponsors: Service Liquors, Black Dog Pub, Rex’s Rendezvous, Dan Woods, Johnston Bros, Pedal City, Molson Coors, Tippy Lake Country Club, the McAndrews Family, Tony Blanchard, Julia Moore, Warren & Rostvold Family, and Penny & Spencer Brown. The amount raised will benefit the AWL moving forward.

TIP – if you want to adopt an animal, you can find more information about AWL adoption fees and services here or on their Facebook page called Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County and The Cat House Shelter of Cats.

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