The 2011 Pet Gazette by The Virginia Gazette

All the Poop Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fit to Scoop

Media fat cat Rupurr Furdoch closes flea-bitten tabbyloid Pets of the World is done

THEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE OUT: Pets International exec Rebarker Brooks (top), Bow Bones CEO (below left) and Scotland Yard top dog (below right)

Heritage Humane offers human morale a boost Humane Society pet volunteers standing by to provide unconditional love to humans, says Director Robin Bledsoe. Story inside.

Supplement to The Virginia Gazette • July 23, 2011 • Page 2

Heritage Humane Society During 2010 Heritage Humane Society placed over 1,000 companion animals in forever homes and we expect to exceed that number in 2011. As a result, approximately three animals a day are placed in safe, loving homes to live out the remainder of their lives. The Society is an open admission animal shelter. In accord with our mission, we accept every animal that is brought to the Society by the public or through our local Animal Control programs. Unlike “No-Kill” facilities, we accept animals that have health and behavioral issues. In many instances we are able to get them the medical or rehabilitative help they need. Heritage Humane Society performs euthanasia only when it truly is the most humane treatment option. Heritage Humane Society has forged a public-private partnership in order to better serve the Greater Williamsburg area. We work with the James City County, Williamsburg, and York County animal control programs while simultaneously providing the public with a place that offers refuge to unwanted companion animals. The Society meets its contractual obligations to the localities we serve and they, in turn, provide financial support to the Society. Approximately 7% of our funding comes from the local governments. The remaining 93% is raised through donations, grants, planned giving and special events. Thanks to the community’s generosity and the support we receive from local governments, we are able to fund our ongoing operations. We attribute the Society's success to a clear and focused Mission, a well-trained staff, volunteers, a hard working Auxiliary, and committed donors. Without the services Heritage Humane Society provides, our community would be inundated with stray and unwanted companion animals, roaming freely, most without vaccinations. The public's safety and welfare would be jeopardized without the animal welfare services provided by the Heritage Humane Society. Staff and Board members are frequently asked why the Heritage Humane Society stirs such deep passions and inspires immense generosity. Some are quick to point out that there are organizations in our community that serve people and they should be helped before animals. While this is a valid opinion, it overlooks the common bond that human beings and companion animals have shared for centuries. Those who acknowledge the importance of our Mission and support the Society believe in the fundamental principle of the human-animal bond, a mutually beneficial relationship. In fact, kindness to animals teaches us the great lesson of kindness to everyone. As Mahamata Ghandi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. Heritage Humane Society is a unique and challenging community program that faces difficult situations on a daily basis. It is hard not to be moved by the plight of some of the animals that come to the Society. Try to imagine arriving at work only to find a litter of puppies, literally frozen together inside a small kennel, abandoned outside our front door in a snowstorm the night before, or finding an unwanted puppy tied to a tree in front of the Society. Consider the box of newborn kittens left by the Society dumpster, or perhaps even more shocking, the basket of newborn puppies found on the railroad tracks. And of course we could never forget the story of Sherman, a lovable hound dog that was shot and abandoned without medical care. For animal lovers, these stories are excruciatingly painful to hear. Believe us when we say they are far worse to experience. From this horror comes the great satisfaction that there are many, many happy endings. Unwanted and abandoned animals trigger the most fundamental human reaction within us: wanting to help the helpless. Fortunately we can and do. Thanks to a supportive community, Heritage Humane Society is proud to offer a responsible, compassionate solution to the problem of finding loving homes for unwanted stray and companion animals. Thanks to this generosity, literally thousands of Society animals are in forever homes, providing families with companionship and unconditional love. It doesn't get much better than that! Peter Gore, President Heritage Humane Society Board of Directors Robin Bledsoe, Executive Director Heritage Humane Society

The Dynamic Duo Issues A Challenge!!!!!! Louis Tabby and Maxi Meow want to help their friends at Heritage Humane Society by matching readers donations up to $2,000.00.

Supplement to The Virginia Gazette • July 23, 2011 • Page 3

Heritage Humane Society’s Adopt-A-Pet Stop by The Heritage Humane Society, located at 430 Waller Mill Rd., to adopt any of these animals.

Evelyn

Fara

Aretha

Arnold Adopted from Heritage Humane Society