Alumnus Alexa Community 1 Report Board of Directors Terry Bradford, Chair We Are Second Chances Lana Ritch, Vice Chair Eileen Beardsley, Secretary The Greater Huntsville Humane Society celebrated the Sandy Edwards, Treasurer placement of 740 homeless animals last year. Special animals Jerry Nutt, Past Chair Shelby Agnew, DVM come and go every day at GHHS. However, there are always Penny Billings Leigh Christian some stories that register among our favorites. Harley is one of Ben Gamble our exceptional stories from 2017. Tim Hufford Grant Martin Karen Reed Harley was a mistreated girl. She was locked in a basement, rarely taken outside, and Bethany H. Sneed Diane Strickland received no affection whatsoever. By the time Harley came to GHHS, she was extremely Margie Wiesman skittish and terrified of people. She did not want anyone touching her, which made the adoption process extremely difficult. It took months and months of special care and atten- Shelter Staff Jill A. Gardner, CEO tion from the GHHS staff to coax Harley to begin to trust people again. Stephanie Sullivan, DOO Harley’s second chance did come. Despite her fears, Harley warmed up to her potenial Lisa Mendes, Thrift Store Manager Karen Black adopter immediately. She knew that this was the right family for her. She was ready for Patrick Burleson Judy Cameron her loving, home. Harley is happily living her second chance with her adoring family. Julia Coberly Lynn Cowan The Greater Huntsville Humane Society provides second chances for homeless pets. We Lauren McCray Jay Ratts are also here when a family needs help with food for their pets, or a pet owner needs assis- Susan Ried tance for veterinary care. Marilyn Sharp Shannon Siegel We are grateful to our donors, sponsors, and volunteers who contribute their resources. Beth Tumlin Combined, we all help the Greater Huntsville Humane Society successfully provide second chances for homeless animals. 2 Overview Our foster program allows us to extend our reach and shelter capacity to include younger and/ Foster program or medically needy animals. We saved 136 pets are grateful to our wonderful foster homes. By distributing donated dog and cat food to families in need, we are 35,000+ pounds able to help save lives and keep of pet food given to animals in their own, loving homes. low-income families Finding good homes is our priority. All pets deserve a loving home. We 740 adoptions exceeded our 2017 goal of 600 (227 more adoptions adoptions, and look forward to 800 adoptions in 2018. than 2016) 3 Alumnus Marvin Alumnus Marvin Adoptions Our 2017 adoption numbers were higher than they have been in many years. In 2017, 740 animals found their new homes. GHHS increased adoptions from 2016 by 227 animals. This dramatic increase is due to our foster program, social media, and new events and programs in the Huntsville community. Our 2018 goal is to reach 800 adoptions. 2018 goal: 800 2017: 740 Adoptions 2016: 513 4 Volunteers Volunteers help build a shed for portable crate storage Paws for Reading volunteer A volunteer dog walker plays with a GHHS dog Dedicated volunteers are an integral part of a non-profit 16,018 hours shelter. The Greater Huntsville Humane Society relies heavily on donated volunteers to assist with a myriad of jobs, including animal care by 200+ Thrift Store and and socialization, help in the Thrift Store, and events. At times we need special skills that our volunteers can offer. In shelter volunteers 2017 a new space was needed to keep our portable kennels Jan. - Dec. 2017 clean and dry. Several volunteers graciously gave their time to build a new shed behind the shelter that nicely houses the clean $377,394 crates so that they are always ready for use. value according to the To learn more about volunteering, please visit Independent Sector ghhs.org/information/. 5 Thrift Store The mission of the GHHS Thrift Store is to sell donated goods to raise funds for the care of the shelter animals. Donated goods, ranging from clothes and home decor to furniture and books, are collected and sold in the store. Each sale helps to provide care such as vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, medical care and supplies. A small staff and an enthusiastic group of volunteers manage the Thrift Store. The store, located behind the shelter building, is open 6 days a week and processes countless donations and sales each day to support the animals. If you would like to help, please consider donating your gently used items or visit the Thrift Store to shop. 6 The Dog Ball The Dog Ball has been the shelter’s largest fundraiser for the past 28 years. Since the first Dog Ball in 1990, the event has evolved to include corporate sponsorships, a silent and live auction, a Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show ticket drawing, the presentation of service dogs and shelter dogs available for adoption. The highly popular showcase of VIDs (Very Important Dogs), has grown to over 50+ dogs. Ticket sales for the Dog Ball regularly exceed 700 guests, bringing in approximately $100,000 each year used to care for and find homes for homeless, abused, or neglected animals. The theme for the 2017 Dog Ball, “Bad to the Bone” was inspired by how fun-loving, cool, and amazing all dogs can be. Eileen Beardsley and Anna Smith co-chaired the 2017 event. The evening was a rousing success. (The 2018 Dog Ball will be reviewed in next year’s annual report.) If you are interested in attending next year or showing your dog as a VID, please go to www.thedogball.org. 7 Alumnus Ruby Helping Paws Our primary mission focuses on the welfare of all animals which includes the animals in our community. There are times that loving pet owners need help caring for their pets. Difficult financial circumstances can occur without warning. The Helping Paws program provides both veterinary assistance & pet food, to allow pets to remain in their home. King’s Kitchen is the largest pet food bank in Alabama. With over 35,000 pounds of food donated a year, we are able to help hundreds of pets. Participants must show proof of income and must agree to alter their pets. GHHS is also able to extend our reach by donating pet food to Manna House and SNAP. The Good Samaritan program distributes vouchers to low income pet owners, for emergency veterinary assistance. GHHS worked with many veterinarians, and donated $25,000+ to emergency veterinary care in 2017. 8 Financials GHHS believes in financial transparency and Shelter Shelter accountability. We share our data as a Better Animal Care Vet Care Business Bureau Accredited Charity and a 53% 31% Guidestar Silver-level member. The shelter’s budget continues to grow to meet community needs, save animals’ *Program lives, and rehome more animals than ever Expenses before. Our building and grounds allow us to provide pet housing and community services. Helping Paws We have also been able to invest in the 8% organization to ensure our longevity to fulfill Spay & Grants Neuter this important mission for years to come. Given 6% 2017 Income 2017 Expense 2% Thrift Store $267,931 Programs* $328,217 Fundraisers $204,335 Admin $157,257 Contributions $250,074 Fundraising $125,584 Pet Placement $52,211 Building/Grounds $91,957 Total Income $774,552 Thrift Store $98,394 *all financials pending final 2017 audit Total Expense $801,408 9 Animal Advocacy Members Silver Leash Cheryl Bowne Anne Robinson Janice Hunter Thomas Gale Terry & James Bradford Douglas & Rhonda Brewster Elaine Rowe Jane Jattuso Pinna & Jimmy Gattis Alumnus Princess Kitty Cat Shirley Chandler Fran Cash Thomas & Virge Ryan Anita Jones Beth Griggs Carol Holcomb Harold & Shelma Chafin Kanako Sheffer Debra Kaleponi Buddy & June Guynes John Montgomery Lourdes C. Corman, MD Susan Sims Kathryn Lee Lane Diane Harness Shannon Siegel Tom & Annelle Craig Diana & Leland Sisson Bob & Cindi Ludwig Nelson Hensley Judith Daniel J. Skinner Evelyn Martin Frances & Jose Hidalgo Animal Champion Thomas & Margaret Devenish Brendan Slater Michelle Maturo Bob & Sandy Hovde Robert & Beth Altenkirch Russell Dinwiddie Curtis Taylor David Mayer Ross Hudson Eileen Beardsley Wendy Edmonds Howard & Deborah Taylor Deborah McVay David & Kay Jacobson F. Lee & Barbara Cook Drucilla Esslinger Richard Thompson Virginia Monroe Jason & Molly Jones Wendy Ferguson Don and Marilyn Evans Venus Tomlin Nanette O’Dell Nicole Jones Frances Kay Huffman Dwight & Marjorie Fay Georgann Trexler John & Katherine Ofenloch David & Donna Keating Gina Miller Jacqueline Fout Frank Vaughn Katherine Payne S. K. Kendall J. Thomas Noojin Jill Gardner LTC Paul Wachter Joyce Ann Pressley Billy & Cynthia King Margaret Pelham Carl & Sarah Gessler Wendi Weaver Jacqueline Reasoner Karla Kochevar Patricia Ryan Beverly Gierow Bob & Claudia Westerfeldt Sharon & Perry Renfroe Janna Kucera Melinda Gorham Robert & Marilyn Whiteford Kem Robertson Joan Leggett Animal Protector Elizabeth Hamrick Margie & Michael Wiesman Cynthia Seeley Michael & Cathie Mayne Robert & Linda Akenhead John Harrill Terri Womack Kimberly Smith Ann McNair Judy Armstrong Frank Haws Linda Spalla Lisa Mendes John Barnes, DMD Bonnie Hettinger Animal Supporter Mary D. Spaulding Robert & Karen Mitchell Barbara Beebe Richard & Susan Hiatt Sandra Barnes Susan Steinhauer Philip & Patricia Moyer Joseph & Claudia Bucher Louis & Joanne Horn Lawrence Boland Diane Strickland Minnie & George Neal Jennifer Demora Guy Hornbuckle Jerry Bowling Tony & Reta Tumlin Diana Perrin David & Sandy Edwards Dianne Howell Larry & Marcia Bowling Cathy Van Valkenburgh Paul Prentiss Sherry House Sherri & Jess Hudgins Glenn & Janice Campbell Linda Warmbrod Joseph Pruitt Ann Lane Julie Jackson James & Valerie Chandler Stephen Welstead James Ratts Alumnus Delilah Margaret & Loyd Little Gregory & Christine Kamback Larry & Janet Creech Lise Wilson Joyce Rogers Leigh Losset Charles & Melanie Kettle Jane & James Daniel Jerry & Elizabeth Wise Randall Rouse Karen Mango Susan Khoury Bryan & Gayle Dodson Thomas Young Marianne Shipman Jerry & Dorrie Nutt Judith Kincaid Karen & Jim Edwards Sandra Spates Ronald & Daphne Reed Anne & George Lewis Lea Ellison Kennel Friend Harold & Julie Stephens Charles & Ellen Robinson Ellen Marks Ellen Flaherty Carol Akin Raymond Vandiver John & Evelyn Scott Grant & Amy Martin Maike Frye Sherwin Arculis L.