WINTER
KHS HAS MOVED! PAGE 1
New Faces at KHS PAGE 2
Keeping Kalamazoo An Animal-Friendly City PAGES 3-4
A Closer Look at the Animal Care & Resource Center PAGES 5-6
Honorary & Memorial Gifts PAGES 7-10
PAGE 1 PRESIDENT Benjamin Damerow The Kalamazoo Humane Society has moved!
KHSBOARD
VICE PRESIDENT Bette Zawacki
We're so thankful for the generosity and support that our community has shown us. Your love for animals and commitment to reducing pet overpopulation has given us all the tools we need to continue that mission and expand into our organization's future as a valued regional resource.
SECRETARY Laura Vennie TREASURER Mike Wittenberg MEMBERS Karen Arvanigian Sondra Nowak Stacy Nowicki
While we are now in our new building, we still have a lot of work to do before opening our spay and neuter schedules to the public. Final construction and technical details are still being worked on, and we are unpacking boxes and putting away all of our office supplies and veterinary equipment.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Aaron Winters DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Tabitha Yuhas
Our team will be here between now and January 4, working hard to get us ready to schedule new spay and neuter appointments. We will be operating our pet food bank on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 AM to 3 PM as curbside service during this extended closure. We are also open for the purchase of Frontline and NexGard products for clients that call ahead.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Julie Barber VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Amy Stockman CUSTOMER SERVICE/SCHEDULING Michele Beaver Karra Larkins
On January 4, 2021, we will open our schedule for the appointment dates of January 11-21. We will not have any appointments available before January 11, 2021. We are anxious to get back to what we do best. Since 1897, the Kalamazoo Humane Society has been on the frontlines of pet overpopulation. In the new Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Animal Care & Resource Center, we'll be able to tackle this issue, and more, with increased vigor.
PET FOOD BANK COORDINATOR Sheila Cutshall VETERINARIANS Dr. Charisse Cuyjet, DVM Dr. Deborah McFarlan, DVM Dr. Francesca Nielsen, DVM
CONTACT
KHSSTAFF
SURGICAL COORDINATOR Jessica Conkin, AVA
Thank you again! We can't wait to show off our new digs! While COVID-19 has our lobby closed to the public, please take a look at pages 5 & 6 for a closer look at our beautiful new facility.
VETERINARY ASSISTANTS Diane Davis, AVA Paulette Fenton Brandon Lint Cynthia Miller Daniel Browne
Kalamazoo Humane Society Humane News & Views 2272 River Street Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Forever grateful, Your friends at the Kalamazoo Humane Society.
(269) 345-1181 (269) 345-1290 info@kazoohumane.org www.kazoohumane.org
Metro Transit Information Route 8 | Egleston Stop 1143 | ML & Gaywood
WINTER2021 PAGE 2
KHS WELCOMES TWO NEW STAFF MEMBERS IN KEY POSITIONS IN 2020!
Our Volunteer Coordinator opening was filled in July by Amy Stockman. We are so excited to have Amy in this vital role. She comes to us from the Kalamazoo Nature Center with experience working with volunteers and a can-do attitude! Even though our volunteer activity has been restricted due to COVID-19 precautions, we have found a few ways to bring in small groups at a time. Amy's creative problem solving, along with a willingness to roll up her own sleeves, is helping us accomplish amazing things for KHS and those we serve. We can't wait to have our volunteers back in a more regular capacity, and we're very excited to begin recruiting new volunteers. Amy can't wait to meet you and get you engaged in our community.
Our newest addition is Tabitha Yuhas, Director of Operations. Tabitha is an energetic and motivated team leader that will help organize and guide our staff through our expansion. As a member of our administrative staff, she'll support Aaron Winters, Executive Director. She'll also be overseeing our day to day operations and making sure we're running a tight ship. Tabitha has already been digging in and learning more about what we're doing at KHS. She is familiar with other animal welfare organizations, having worked at the Humane Society of West Michigan. She has brought her passion for helping animals here to Kalamazoo. Positive changes are happening at the Kalamazoo Humane Society. We're excited to be bringing on new team members that can take us to the next level.
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Contact the Kalamazoo City Commissioners - Tell them you want Kalamazoo to protect animals from puppy mills and exploitation for entertainment.
WINTER2021 PAGE 4
DON'T FORGET! RENEW YOUR DOG'S LICENSE FOR 2021
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FACTS & FEATURES OF THE ANIMAL CARE & RESOURCE CENTER: The full name of the new home of the Kalamazoo Humane Society is the Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Animal Care & Resource Center. The acronym for the Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Animal Care & Resource Center is ACRC. This phase of the ACRC project has taken 12 years from vision to completion. Due to COVID-19 delays and weather, some outdoor features and signage must wait until spring to install. The ACRC is a regional resource that will serve all of southwest Michigan. The new facility also offers these exciting features: 14 Acres of Land 11,000 Square Feet 2 public entrances with lobbies 1 isolated entrance for sick/injured or special needs pets 4 regular exam rooms 1 isolation exam room with 8 quarantine/isolation cages 4 Surgical Tables 4 Prep Tables, including one wet table for special procedures and treatments Petairapy UV Air Sanitization system throughout the entire building
ANIMAL CARE & RESOURCE CENTER: BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF COMPASSION In 1897, concern over the mistreatment of cows prompted Cora Meiser and Nora Gause to gather 100 people and pass a hat. Each person tossed in a silver dollar and an organization to prevent cruelty to children and animals was born. As the years passed, other groups took on the needs of children, allowing the renamed Kalamazoo County Humane Society to focus on animals. In 1937, it built its first shelter - later destroyed by fire - and a second on Stadium Drive in 1949, where it operated for three decades. By 1979, the Humane Society shifted its focus from sheltering to prevention, launching its first spay/neuter assistance program. Named “Operation Fix-It” in 2002, this program has greatly reduced the number of unwanted animals in our community. KHS has continued to grow its services to include a thriving emergency pet food bank and other supportive services for people and pets in crisis. And still, the needs are growing in our region for expanded partnerships and greater access to our many services. Eager to meet those needs, the Compassion • Prevention • Results campaign began in 2016. The campaign cabinet, led by Robert Cinabro (Chair) and Colleen Killen-Roberts (Co-Chair), succeeded in their mission. Now, 123 years after the first silver dollar was contributed, the Kalamazoo Humane Society has taken the next step with the completion of the Animal Care & Resource Center (ACRC). None of this would be possible without our cabinet members' dedication, our Executive Director, Aaron Winters, and the outpouring of support from our community.
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