The Humane Society of Northwest Montana has proven the wisdom of the old adage that there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
After unleashing a flurry of criticism, the society’s 2009 “Grin and Bare It” calendar outsold all previous calendars just as the recession hit in November 2008.
“It’s kind of a delicious irony,” board member Brad Seaman said with a laugh. “With all the attention, we sold more than any prior calendars.”
The 2009 calendar featured pets accompanied by people in tasteful nude poses.
According to local Humane Society Director Lori Heatherington, the organization tripled calendar sales compared to the previous year’s calendar that carried traditional photographs of shelter animals.
The “Grin and Bare It” calendar raised about $12,000 to help care for dogs and cats at the Charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center.
Now they’re at it again — with a 2010 calendar featuring pastel illustrations of pets au naturel — but without the local veterinarians and board members in the buff that got tongues wagging and fur flying last year.
The controversy last year caught the humane society off guard since the photos only suggested nudity.
“It wasn’t the first time it had been done and we thought people would get the joke,” Seaman said.
A story and photo in the Inter Lake prompted a lot of reader comments but, according to Heatherington, only a few critics called the adoption center. Members of the public cast the deciding votes with their pocketbooks, making “Grin and Bare It” a runaway best seller.
“It was amazing how many people called to say, ‘I love your calendar and, if you want, I’ll volunteer to be in it next year,’” Heatherington said.
Because of the success of the 2009 calendar, she said she can’t say they won’t ever do another “Grin and Bare It” but they strive to have a unique calendar each year. The 2010 calendar dubbed “Paws & Claws” returns to a more traditional theme but from an artist’s perspective.
“Jane Kleinschmidt did pastel illustrations for us,” Heatherington said. “She’s quite the animal lover as well.”
Kleinschmidt, a local artist, created portraits of 12 rescued animals plus Cheng Lei, the cover cat with enchanting blue eyes. Cheng Lei remains available for adoption.
“He’s still in house,” Heatherington said. “He’s a handsome, handsome boy but he’s an independent boy.”
Miss May, a long-hair gray-and-white cat named Collette, also is looking for a home. According to Heatherington, Collette rules the conference room at the adoption center where she and some other felines get to range freely.
“It really helps their dispositions,” she said.
Jake, a pointer mix that became Mr. September, has high hopes for a pending adoption but remains at the adoption center. Heatherington described Jake as high-energy.
“He has to have someone who understands he needs to be walked and taught manners,” the director said. “He’s been at the facility for two years.”
Several of the calendar pets represent adoption success stories including Nela, Bitsey and Violet, the January, March and July cats. Kleinschmidt and her family members adopted calendar dogs Sadie, Dru and Shadow as well as the October black cat Jose.
Kita, the August dog, Mr. November, a precious pug, and December’s Santa-hatted basset hound Elmo also now live happily ever after in new homes. But homeless dogs and cats still fill all the space at the Humane Society of Northwest Montana.
The center maintains a waiting list of people who need to surrender their pets for adoption. Heatherington said many lost their jobs, then their homes and can’t find a rental that will accept their pets.
“It would just break your heart,” she said.
With the downturn in the economy, the adoption center had to put expansion plans on hold. Like other nonprofits, the Humane Society depends on donations and the success of fundraising activities such as the calendar, which sells for $15.
According to Heatherington, every dollar raised goes to support the rescued cats and dogs. Sponsors paid the costs associated with producing the calendar.
Through December, Heatherington said people who buy two calendars get a third calendar free. The Humane Society also has produced matching note cards to go along with the calendar this year.
“It is the perfect gift,” she said.
People may buy the calendar, note cards and other merchandise to support The Humane Society of Northwest Montana through its Web site www.hsnwmt.com, at the facility on U.S. 93 north or at more than 20 locations around the valley. For more information, call 752-7297.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.
Rosebud
Dear readers:
The calendar is lovely and raises money and awareness for orphaned animals.
Thanks to the Interlake for running such a supportive article.
FYI-Michael is right. There is absolutely no connection between the HSUS, or it's positions on any subject, and our local Humane Society, which runs the Charlotte Edkins Animal Adoption Center. Think what you may of the HSUS and its policies; but don't try to make a non-existent connection with any other "Humane Society". There is no "national" Humane Society that governs all animal welfare groups with the name of "Humane Society". Each is totally and completely independent. It's just a name, there is no other connection, or relationship.
Our local Humane Society has scrupulously avoided ever taking any sort of position on hunting or any other animal issue other than humane treatment and care of companion animals. It is a great organization and embraces all other non-profits which are helping animals in the valley. They all are doing good work and deserve your support. As long as there are homeless, neglected animals, the local Humane Society will be working hard to improve their lives. Why would anyone diminish the good that is being done by calling them irrelevant?
Thank you Michael for your kind & supportive words.
michael
lucky girl, I have read and reread your post and have no idea what is meant by "HS has become a joke since the animal shelter changed. they know they are becoming irrelevant "??? Have you made a trip thru the facilities lately? I did, about a week ago, and they are anything but "irrelevant". What part of that comment makes any sense.
I don't know Mr Seaman, but if he is a "publicity hound", I'd say he must be well suited for his job, as this animal shelter and all animal shelters always struggle to care for the critters, and it is my understanding, they can use all the publicity they can get.
michael
I went to the web page for the Humane Society to see if there was any truth to JT's statement about them being anti-hunting and anti-guns. You maybe should reread JT, as what they are against is brutal savage situations that people create and call it a "sport". Canned hunts is mentioned, and also poaching. I would assume such disgusting practices as dog fighting, etc. etc. So, since your accusations, am I to assume that you're all for these "sports"? If you're going to present a subject as fact, at least present it as it is, and not skewing the facts to suit your agenda.
luckygirl
JT, the HSUS and the local humane society are not the same organization. The local HS doesn't make policy statements about hunting, so your comment is unfortunately irrelevant to this story. that being said, the HS has become a joke since the animal shelter changed. they know they are becoming irrelevant and that they can't pretend to be the only place in town that saves animals. and brad seaman is a publicity hound.
michael
I bought the calendar last year, and a few more for friends. It was great, and very tastefully done. Obviously anyone who protested this calendar hadn't taken a look thru it, or they would feel pretty silly making these remarks. The Humane Society is a wonderful organization, and I thank them for all they do. " used flesh to sell a few calendars"? hahaha, you see a lot more flesh wandering the streets of our fine city on any given day. Of course you would have known this if you had actually looked at the calenday.
I will miss my last year's calendar at years end, and hope they decide to do this again sometime. In the meantime I will continue to support the Humane Society and will have their current calenday on my wall.
JT
They may think it was a hit because they sold a few more calendars, but I am sure there are plenty of people like me who are disgusted by their poor taste in producing the calendar. That combined with the strong stance HSUS takes against hunting has caused me to drop all support for the organization. We used to donate to them regularly. If you are a hunter or gun owner, you should know about the real political agenda of HSUS. They are strongly anti-hunting and gun ownership and commit substantial resources to lobby for the restriction and banning of hunting. They should have stuck to helping dogs and cats, and not become political and used flesh to sell a few calendars. Be smug all you want, Brad Seaman, but I'll be shifting my donation dollars to the NRA. Maybe even give you a gift membership for 2010.