Viroqua, Wis. – The Driftless Humane Society held its first annual “Kickball for the Furbabies” event at Viroqua’s Park Bowl on Sunday to raise some money, but also to bring together several emergency service agencies so they can build relationships outside of emergency situations. The two kickball games featured staff and volunteers from the Humane Society but also from the Viroqua Police Department, the Viroqua Fire Department, and the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office. Emily Rozeske is the Executive Director at the Humane Society and she said they work very closely with all of the agencies but this event brings all of those people together in a social setting that allows them to get to know each other outside of work.

Rozeske said the idea came from the Fire Department and grew from there with lots of people jumping on board.

“I would really give a lot of credit to the Fire Department,” Rozeske said. “Daisy (Johnson) the administrative assistant was phenomenal in putting a lot of the details together, but it took the Vernon County Sheriff’s Department, Viroqua PD, Viroqua Parks and Rec and then us at the Driftless Humane Society to put this together. And its just a fun little showdown between the groups, and community and a good time.”

Rozeske said the event was also a fundraiser as the Humane Society is hoping to raise about $17,000 for specific needs the organization has.

“We are hoping to raise a little bit of money and take some donations,” Rozeske said. “Yes, We’ve got a spring fundraiser we are working on. Our building is about 20 years old, so it has some repairs we need to do. We also would like to do some enrichment with some music therapy and some aroma therapy. So bringing in some sounds and smells for our animals, and then also to make some neonatal kitten kits. So we have kind of packaged everything together so if a community member finds an orphan kitten we will have them available for them to just be able to help them survive and give them everything they need for that. So we are hoping to raise $17,000 for spring or early summer fundraiser.”

Rozeske said the event is also a way strengthen to relationships they already have with the agencies at the event.

“And we work with the stray animals and we work really closely with law enforcement<” Rozeske said. “ We have a good relationship with everyone here and in a small community that …you know …they are friends and neighbors and that’s why we are here.”

Rozeske said anyone can give a monetary donation but there are other ways to help if you can’t give money.

“Absolutely come and volunteer,” Rozeske said. “We have had some volunteers here working events, but come in to socialize and work with our animals. We always have tasks that people can do. Donate, foster and animal. So again, just like we were mentioning our orphan kittens there is also just dogs who would do better, and cats, in homes. So, temporarily foster animals”

And Rozeske said the Humane Society is always in need of supplies if you don’t want to give money or time.

“We are always looking for dog food and cat food,” Rozeske said. “Especially dry. At this time of year wet kitten food is also what we are looking for. We use pine litter bedding. Towels, even old towels or blankets if you have them laying around, we take those as well. Or even a lot of animal supplies. So if you no longer have an animal and you no longer need leashes, collars, beds. We take those as well.”

If someone is interested in volunteering, donating, adopting or helping in anyway you can find the Driftless Humane Society on the web at driftlesshumanesociety.com or you can call them at (608) 637-6955

The outcome of the two kickball games played on Sunday.

Game 1

Driftless Humane Society 21

Vernon County Sheriff’s Office 11

Game 2

Viroqua Fire Department 14

Viroqua Police Department 8