Published: May 24, 2009 04:14 pm         

Plant sales raise money for shelter

Despite rain and cold winds, the Parke-Vermilion County Humane Society had a great turnout at their sixth annual Pets and Petunias plant sale.

All of the proceeds not designated for certain funds will go into the general fund used to take care of the animals, said Melissa Wible, the shelter’s board treasurer and volunteer coordinator.

“The money goes to whatever we need it for,” she continued.

The ultimate aim of the PVCHS is to put every adoptable animal in a loving home and educate the public on the need to spay and neuter their pets. One literally lucky dog named Jake was adopted at the sale. Other adoptable dogs were also there to get the word out about the animals available for adoption through the shelter. More of the shelter’s animals can be found online by going to Petfinder.com. The standard fee for adopting an animal, unless otherwise stated, is $110 for dogs and $50 to $60 for cats.

There were many different types of plants ranging from general houseplants to herbs and even some that volunteers have called “dinosaur food.”

The selection was great and varied this year, said Cindy Geeseman, a volunteer from Terre Haute who worked in the plant tent. The plants are donated by local growers.

“We have been selling like crazy,” she said.

Plant experts were on hand to answer questions. These people could also offer solutions to some everyday problems of the garden.

“We’re like a one-day greenhouse,” Geeseman said.

For the first year, there was a special selection of native woodland plants. With the increase in urbanization, Geeseman explained, native plants and animals are having less room to live.

“We need to start preserving our local native plant life before it’s gone,” she said.

The event is a great way for the community to come together, said Elizabeth Atterbery, a worker at Indiana State University who was representing the ISU recycling center at the event. She had bought a few plants herself at the sale.

“The prices are unbelievably reasonable,” she declared.

The PVCHS is at 1884 Indiana 63 just behind the Vermillion County jail. They are open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Appointments for seeing animals on other days can be made if that is more convenient. Donations of money or commonly used items, such as scoopable cat litter and food bowls, are always welcome. For more information about the PVCHS, call (765) 492-3504.