Paws to Care campaign kickoff
The Humane Society of Sarasota County is launching "Paws to Care," a multi-tiered program designed to combat pet relinquishments due to economic hardship. HSSC is asking for nominations of neighborhoods and community groups in need to select the first beneficiaries.
"Many of our residents are being hit hard by the economic downturn. HSSC decided to create Paws to Care to provide extra help," said HSSC Executive Director Deborah Robbins Millman. "For those in economic crisis, times are tough enough without losing their cherished companions, too."
Paws to Care will provide free bags of dog and cat food and information about other Humane Society of Sarasota County pet wellness programs, including low cost and no-cost spay/neuter referral programs and pet behavior counseling. The resources will be available at scheduled times at the Humane Society of Sarasota County and will also be transported to communities in need.
The Humane Society of Sarasota County's board of directors personally contributed nearly $2,500 to launch the program. To maintain it, HSSC is seeking businesses and individuals willing to donate the food and/or make financial contributions. Grants are also being sought.
Paws to Care's first distribution event will be Saturday, October 11. The Humane Society of Sarasota County is asking people to send an email detailing why their neighborhood, church, school or other group needs Paws to Care's assistance. Two locations will be selected for the launch; others will be visited at a later date.
Nominations should be emailed to HSSCcares@yahoo.com. They may also be mailed to HSSC, 2331 15th St., Sarasota, FL 34237 ATTN: Paws to Care. The application deadline for the first distribution is Friday, Oct. 3.
The Humane Society of Sarasota County relies on community support to care for nearly 4,000 abandoned pets annually, as well as offer pet adoptions, humane education, affordable spay/neuter services and programs for children, seniors and those with special needs.
For more information about the Humane Society of Sarasota County's many programs and services or to make a contribution to the Paws to Care fund, visit www.hssc.org .
"Many of our residents are being hit hard by the economic downturn. HSSC decided to create Paws to Care to provide extra help," said HSSC Executive Director Deborah Robbins Millman. "For those in economic crisis, times are tough enough without losing their cherished companions, too."
Paws to Care will provide free bags of dog and cat food and information about other Humane Society of Sarasota County pet wellness programs, including low cost and no-cost spay/neuter referral programs and pet behavior counseling. The resources will be available at scheduled times at the Humane Society of Sarasota County and will also be transported to communities in need.
The Humane Society of Sarasota County's board of directors personally contributed nearly $2,500 to launch the program. To maintain it, HSSC is seeking businesses and individuals willing to donate the food and/or make financial contributions. Grants are also being sought.
Paws to Care's first distribution event will be Saturday, October 11. The Humane Society of Sarasota County is asking people to send an email detailing why their neighborhood, church, school or other group needs Paws to Care's assistance. Two locations will be selected for the launch; others will be visited at a later date.
Nominations should be emailed to HSSCcares@yahoo.com. They may also be mailed to HSSC, 2331 15th St., Sarasota, FL 34237 ATTN: Paws to Care. The application deadline for the first distribution is Friday, Oct. 3.
The Humane Society of Sarasota County relies on community support to care for nearly 4,000 abandoned pets annually, as well as offer pet adoptions, humane education, affordable spay/neuter services and programs for children, seniors and those with special needs.
For more information about the Humane Society of Sarasota County's many programs and services or to make a contribution to the Paws to Care fund, visit www.hssc.org .
Comments
For Jean, I am curious of 3 things 1) do you know the annual budget for HSSC 2) what you describe in your post looks like a new program for the HSSC- has nothing like this been done before through the HSSC (which may explain why these people in Anon #1 post were turned away if the program wasn't in place) 3) do you know whether or not the HSSC has an endowment fund? (I work for a not-for-profit and we have a significant endowment fund but much of it is for the long term vitality of the organization so we can guarantee we will be around for many years to come- it may seem like we have lots of money when the reality is just the opposite.) and 4) do you know of any other regional shelters that have a similar program?
I think if we can have food bank programs for people, having food bank programs for pets is a good idea too.
This is a brand new program. There is not one in the area operating at this time as far as I know. You could check with the HSSC at 955-4131 to see. I do know at one time they had pet food at the Food Bank and if you were getting food for yourself, you could also get pet food. The HSUS began to release small grant money to help fund these programs because the need is becoming so great in so many areas.
Budget is over a million according to Charity Navigator www.charitynavigator.org, which gave them a 4 star (highest) ranking. I know they are a member of the Community Foundation and have funds set up for the economic viability of the shelter, which as you know, keeps non-profits sound during economic downturns.
I think sometimes people have no clue how non-profits operate.
Jean
Thanks for your quick answers. Sounds like the new food program is getting in place at the right time while more and more people, often through no fault of their own, are finding it hard to make ends meet but really love their animal(s).
I hope HSSC and the other rescues/shelters in the area are around for a long time. Actually I wish they weren't needed at all, but we don't live in a perfect world.
Anon#2
You are welcome. I would like this blog to continue to be a sounding board for everyone in the area. I may not always agree with people who post, but some people simply, for whatever reason, have an ax to grind.
I also tell people all the time, "Put us out of business." You wouldn't hurt my feelings at all. Unfortunatly, we are so very crowded right now. We are full to the bursting point. We even have a guinea pig and 7 gerbils named after the 7 dwarfs. We have 3 rabbits, over 200 cats and close to 70 dogs and the opend oor just keeps swinging.
Anything we can do so people can keep their beloved companions is better than the alternatives.
Jean
It would be helpful to get a list of area shelters who do give out free food to people in need. If other shelters are doing this on a regular basis - bravo! Let's share those resources with those who truly need them! The more pets fed, the fewer will be abandoned.
The reason HSSC began a special fund is so that money contributed by its donors to help shelter pets was not tapped for non-shelter pets.HSSC takes its responsibility to its donors very seriously and uses the donations it receives only for the purposes for which they were intended.
No "members of the community" seeking to relinquish their pets have been turned away from HSSC. Because so many shelters are no kill/limited admission,they have no option but to refuse admissions when they are full. HSSC has been flooded with people from Manatee, Hillsborough and beyond with no where else to turn. To meet the needs of all these pets (many of whom are seniors, sick and/or have behavior issues) when HSSC's kennels are full, owners are sometimes asked to wait a few days so that no pet must be euthanized for space. Most caring owners are more than willing to wait a few days to save a life. This way, HSSC can help all pets in need. It does not turn away pets based on age, health or breed and works hard to find all its pets homes.
HSSC has been commended by Charity Navigator and others for its responsible financial status. Yes, there is "money in the bank;" that is to ensure that the shelter is here for pets and people for generations to come. HSSC recently started an endowment fund to make sure economic downturns do not cause it to reduce the many services it provides - in tough financial times, those services are needed more than ever.
HSSC also uses its funds for improvements and expansions. Recently, HSSC's board of directors approved expenditure of some of those funds to purchase a state-of-the-art mobile adoption center that can also be used to transport pets in disasters. Next year, a sigificant kennel improvement is planned. HSSC also added a staff veterinarian that treats critically ill pets and saves lives. Our recent successes stories include a 5-year-old pit bull with massive tumors. Two surgeries later, the dog is happy, healthy and awaiting a new home.
HSSC's priorities lie with the pets in our care and the people who need us - period. To suggest otherwise is more than unkind; it is untrue.