TAIL’STALES Pets + The people who love them | Spring 2019 Helping Pet Owners in Flood Areas pg. 6 FROM THE CEO Dear Friends, This spring arrived with unforeseen tragedy, but ended in remark- able triumph. Record flooding in our communities gave way to he- roic acts on behalf of humans and animals alike. Many lives were saved. NHS received overwhelming support. People, like you, from all over the country, responded with bountiful donations for displaced SHELTER HIGHLIGHTS animals and their owners - some even traveled from Utah, Kansas and Iowa to deliver pet food and supplies! This incredible gener- osity allowed us to provide temporary housing for 126 dogs, cats, horses and critters at NHS, and 20 animals in two off-site Ameri- can Red Cross shelters. NHS became a centralized donation locale, housing and distributing pet supplies in two semi-trailers, gra- ciously donated by Werner Enterprises. Many volunteers and staff gave countless hours of their time, which included driving to affected areas to deliver donations. The stories and pictures that flood victims shared were heartbreaking, yet in the face of despair, they were so thoughtful to say, “thank you,” having the peace of mind that their companion pets were safe, warm and dry. On behalf of all of us at NHS, we are so grateful and inspired by your love for the animals which makes any- thing possible. For the Animals, Nancy Hintz, President and CEO Nebraska Humane Society Think of us on May 22! Omaha Gives! is our local day of philanthropy, when you can support non-profits providing life changing services in our community. On that day, we’ll have a chance to make your dollars stretch further, through match- ing gifts and prizes, so dogs like Frodo will get the chance they so desperately de- serve. Find out his story on May 23rd at www.omahagives.org. 2 TAIL’STALES Tail’s Tales is a publication of the Nebraska Humane Society. OUR MISSION The Nebraska Humane Society protects, saves and enriches the lives of animals in the communities we serve. SHELTER HIGHLIGHTS LOCATION HOURS 8929 Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68134 ANIMAL WELFARE TRAINING & BEHAVIOR Phone: 402-444-7800 | Fax: 402-546-1476 • 11,262 animals found adoptive homes • 4,729 calls responded to by NHS Adoption hours: Behavior Helpline Monday through Friday . 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. • 2,675 lost animals reunited with owners Saturday and Sunday . 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • 1,472 people attended NHS dog • 6,138 wildlife calls were answered and training classes Business hours: coordinated with wildlife rescue to Monday through Friday . 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. relocate/release animals as needed • 229 fearful/unruly dogs placed in NHS Saturday and Sunday . 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Molly Project (behavior modification VOLUNTEERS program) were adopted • 500 community members volunteered ANIMAL CONTROL WEB SOCIAL 52,709 hours to the care of NHS animals Website: www.nehumanesociety.org • 35,547 calls were responded to by NHS • 288 foster homes cared for 2,147 fragile Facebook.com/nebraskahumanesociety animals until they could be adopted • 188 strays received a “free ride home” Twitter.com/nehumanesociety Twitter.com/nhscats ANIMAL MEDICAL HUMANE EDUCATION Instagram username: nehumanesociety • 18,312 diagnostic tests Snapchat username: nehumanesociety • 8,000+ children & adults attended school/ • 6,530 spays/neuters on adoptable pets community presentations or shelter tours • 1,474 specialized surgeries & dental • 451 youth participated in Camp Kindness care procedures or Humane Hands programs EXECUTIVE STAFF • 7,469 animals microchipped • 217 Girl Scouts earned badges NANCY HINTZ President + CEO PAULI BISHOP COMMUNITY SERVICES Vice President + CFO • 6,247 surgeries were completed at the NHS low-cost Spay & Neuter Center KILEY MADDUX-WEISBECK Vice President + COO • 607 people & 3,733 pets were served by NHS Pet Food Pantry with emergency pet food KATHY ROUM • Project Pet Safe served domestic abuse victims by arranging short term pet sanctuary Vice President of Development (partnering with domestic violence agencies) MARK LANGAN • Animeals program delivered pet food & supplies to low income senior citizens & their Vice President of Field Operations pets (partnering with ENOA) PAM WIESE • NHS website & social media networks received 10 million interactions, providing Vice President of Public Relations + information & promoting animal welfare Marketing MICHELE TETREAULT-MERTES Vice President of Human Resources SARA SCHMIDT Vice President of Business Operations 3 Capital Renovation Project We are excited to announce that our 19-year-old shelter is undergoing much needed improvements that will help us decrease stress on the animals and get them adopted more quickly! Since opening the Lied Humane Center building in February of 2000, we’ve served more than 450,000 animals who re- quired surgeries, shelter, grooming, training, rehabilitation and more to get back on their feet. In those 19 years many animals have “left their mark” on the building. Shelter research has also come a long way. To stay at the top in our field, we need to incorporate new sheltering techniques and best practices. The solution is a $14.1 million comprehensive renovation named to honor longtime CEO, Judy Varner. The Judy Varner Adoption and Education Center, will: • renovate 37,107 square feet, which is 45% of our existing shelter; • add 12,000 square feet of new animal living space; • reduce stress and length of stay for all animals; • transform the way the public views, accesses and interacts with adoptable animals. What’s new for cats: Our cats will soon enjoy a new place to roam, scratch and perch. Taller condos will allow for instinctive vertical move- ment, lowering stress and providing a natural living environment. Immersive group rooms will change the way the public views cats, encouraging potential adopters to interact and spend quality time finding the perfect companion. Other shelters that have implemented such changes have experienced lower stress rates among cats, a 50% increase in adoption rates and a 60% reduction in the spread of diseases! What’s new for dogs: Over the past 20 years our dog population has changed. We are now sheltering more dogs who are fearful, lack training and require behavior modification. Currently, these dogs are not easily accessible to the public and require an appoint- ment to be seen. The Judy Varner Adoption and Education Center will provide the public with supervised direct access to these dogs’ kennels, increasing the opportunity for these guys to find new homes more quickly. Don’t forget the critters: It is very stressful for animals to be housed in areas where they are subjected to the smell, sound and sight of other animals who are their natural predators. So, it makes sense to provide new and separate accommodations for prey spe- cies like gerbils and rabbits who are currently housed too close to predatory species like cats and ferrets. Because we expect a 10% increase in these species in the coming years, mammals and exotics will have their own enclosed living space. What’s changing for humans: • more efficient adoption process; • electronic technology stations; • digital messaging to promote responsible pet ownership and provide animal care and training tips; • private counseling area for owner surrenders, distressed owners and Rainbow Bridge. We will continue to provide all services and programs during our construction period, but you will see some spaces rearranged through May of 2020. Don’t worry. We’ll provide plenty of signage and information on our website so you can still find your way around. As always, your help is the hope for these innovative changes! We are thrilled to share that we have received tremen- dous support from the community and have raised 99% of our $14.1 million goal. However, we your help to push past the finish line! We only have about $170,000 left to raise and every dollar will truly make a difference..Naming oppor - tunities are available at the $5,000.00 level and above. For more information please contact Kathy Roum, VP of Devel- opment at 402-905-3436. Or check our website at www.nehumanesociety.org. 4 NHS Flood Response Record flooding destroyed houses, washed out roads and stranded people, pets, and livestock across Nebraska and Iowa this spring. NHS has been working non-stop Animal Control Officer to offer assistance to pet owners in Misty Binau helps rescue a horse flood ravaged areas. affected by the flooding in Waterloo. Field Our field officers worked to get the first wave of horses out of Gifford Farms and assisted in moving livestock to higher ground in Bellevue. A team went with first responders in boats and high-profile vehicles to areas still inaccessible to the public. They were instrumental in saving goats, chickens, cats, dogs, critters and horses in Waterloo, Valley, King Lake, Paradise Lakes and Green Acres. “Finding animals after the water had been up to the eaves in places was an amazing feeling. It gave us hope to continue!” said Kelli Brown, Director of Field Operations for NHS Animal control. Red Cross Shelters The shelter-side provided kenneling set ups at the Red Cross Shelters housing people in Elkhorn and Bellevue. NHS provided all supplies, including collars, leashes, food, crates, bedding, cleaning solutions as well as medical checks for all animals in those shelters. We know how how important it was for evacuees to have the comfort of their pets in such trying times. Housing pets at NHS Some evacuees sheltered with friends, family or in hotels where pets can’t be accommodated. As of this writing NHS is providing free care for more than 65 pets from our jurisdiction who were displaced by the flooding. In all we’ve taken in more than 125 pets who needed a temporary residence.