Pets in Need Society Year in Review - 2003
This "Year in Review" is published in lieu of the quarterly newsletter for the 4th quarter of 2003. It provides an update on our programs and efforts for the year 2003. This newsletter will be mailed to our members who do not have email access, will be emailed to members with email access, and posted to our web site for public information. All facts and figures in this update are as of 31 Dec 2003.
Our Programs
Spay/Neuter Program - In 2003, Pets In Need Society assisted with spaying or neutering 408 pets. We are providing free spays/neuters for all animals adopted from the Meade County Animal Shelter, and thanks to a grant from a major animal welfare foundation, are now offering low-cost spay or neuter of any dog or cat in Meade County. The pet owner only has to ask for a low-cost voucher at either county veterinary clinic. Per the guidance of the grant provider, owners are requested to do a co-pay, but if the pet owner cannot afford to pay, the sterilization costs are paid in full by PINS. We then split our costs with our grant provider. PINS expenditure in 2003 for spay/neuter of 408 dogs and cats was: $9,970.00. Since implementation of our spay/neuter assistance program in November 2001, we have helped sterilize 876 dogs and cats at a cost of $19,560.00.
Animal Shelter Support Program - Our "behind the scenes" involvement with and support of the county animal shelter continues to help make a positive difference for the animals housed there. In 2003 our members and supporters donated 700 pounds of dog food, 180 pounds of cat food, and 260 pounds of cat litter to the shelter, saving the county several hundred dollars for shelter operations.
The effectiveness of our spay/neuter program has begun to be reflected at the Meade County Animal Shelter by a drastic reduction in the volume of animals housed there. In 2002, 1344 animals (942 dogs and 402 cats) entered the county animal shelter. In 2003, 1157 animals (723 dogs and 434cats) entered the shelter. That's a decrease of 187 total animals - a decrease of 14% over the previous year's total. Prevention of unwanted animals through spays and neuters is saving lives as well as saving county tax dollars.
Additional good news from the shelter is that adoptions and reclaiming of lost pets increased in 2003. In 2002, 202 (21%) of the dogs were adopted, and 73 (8%) of the dogs were reclaimed by their owners; 63 (16%) of the cats were adopted, and 2 (1%) of the cats were reclaimed by their owners. So, in 2002, 304 (25%) of the animals who entered the county animal shelter made it out alive. In 2003, 197 (27%) of the dogs were adopted, and 74 (10%) of the dogs were reclaimed by their owners; 128 (30%) of the cats were adopted, and 2 (1%) of the cats were reclaimed by their owners. So, in 2003, 401 (35%) of the animals who entered the county animal shelter made it out alive - an increase of 5%. While there is still a great deal of room for improvement in those numbers, the trend is looking very positive.
Humane Education - PINS members continue to "tell our story" every opportunity we get.
In March, we did a presentation to the Meade County High School National Honor Society stressing the local problem of pet over population and the importance of spays and neuters.
In May, PINS participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. We erected a tent site with "Raining Cats and Dogs" as our theme. Our campsite won 2nd place in overall competition. Not only did we raise well over $1,200 for cancer research, we presented the public with information about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets as a means of not only pet population control, but as a means of preventing certain types of cancer in the pets.
In June, PINS volunteers set up a booth at the Purina Amazing Animals Contest held at the Midway Feed Mill. Free identification tags were provided to the attendees as part of our efforts to educate people on the importance of their pets wearing identification.
In July, PINS volunteers judged the Meade County Fair Pet/Dog Show, and seized the opportunity to educate county residents on the importance of responsible pet ownership and animal care.
In October, we held our 2nd annual Pet Festival and Blessing of the Animals where we invited the public to come celebrate the joy, companionship, and assistance that animals bring to our lives. The many contests and demonstrations were enjoyed by the hundreds of people and their pets in attendance. Pictures of the event can be found at the "Past Events" link.
Our Dog Obedience Classes continue to be a wonderful means of educating both people and dogs. PINS volunteer, Claudia Cooper, conducted three classes this past year. We are still "in search of" an ideal location for these classes, but until a better location is found, the Meade County Fiscal Court has allowed us to use county-owned facilities at no cost to PINS.
Our Fundraising Efforts
Donations - The community continues to support our efforts with their monetary donations, both large and small. Our collection boxes located in local businesses brought in $1,239.91 this year; other donations for 2003 - $1,912.00. Total private/individual donations for 2003: $3,151.91.
Yard Sales - As always, the response to our yard sales was tremendous. We received lots of great donations, had wonderful weather, and made lots of money. Our goal was $1,000, but thanks to all who bought, donated, and worked the events, our total income from yard sales in 2003: $1,172.36.
Summer Raffle - Thanks to the efforts of PINS volunteer Dorsey DeMaster, our 2003 raffle was a huge success. She solicited donated prize items from many national, regional, and local businesses. Grand Prize was two round trip tickets on Southwest Airlines to where ever SWA flies. Our income from the raffle was $2,780.00.
Wreath Festival - Our 4th Annual Wreath Festival was held 7-13 December at the Meade County Courthouse. The Wreath Festival continues to be our biggest fundraiser. Thanks to the hard work and creativity of PINS volunteers, especially Liz Bell and Jennifer Marshall, the festival was a huge success. Over 140 wreaths, swags, wall trees, and center pieces, and hundreds of smaller holiday cash and carry items were designed, created, and donated by individuals for sale. Total income for the 2003 Wreath Festival was $5,958.50.
Membership - Our membership continues to grow. Our current membership is 96 individuals and 4 businesses. Membership fees help cover our routine costs of existing. From these fees we pay our phone bill, buy stamps, rent our post office box and a safety deposit box, etc. More importantly, having a large membership helps give "strength in numbers" when we deal with agencies such as our local county government or national animal welfare organizations.
Our Financial Status
Beginning Balance 1 Jan 2003: $23,637.40
Our Programs
Spay/Neuter Program - In 2003, Pets In Need Society assisted with spaying or neutering 408 pets. We are providing free spays/neuters for all animals adopted from the Meade County Animal Shelter, and thanks to a grant from a major animal welfare foundation, are now offering low-cost spay or neuter of any dog or cat in Meade County. The pet owner only has to ask for a low-cost voucher at either county veterinary clinic. Per the guidance of the grant provider, owners are requested to do a co-pay, but if the pet owner cannot afford to pay, the sterilization costs are paid in full by PINS. We then split our costs with our grant provider. PINS expenditure in 2003 for spay/neuter of 408 dogs and cats was: $9,970.00. Since implementation of our spay/neuter assistance program in November 2001, we have helped sterilize 876 dogs and cats at a cost of $19,560.00.
Animal Shelter Support Program - Our "behind the scenes" involvement with and support of the county animal shelter continues to help make a positive difference for the animals housed there. In 2003 our members and supporters donated 700 pounds of dog food, 180 pounds of cat food, and 260 pounds of cat litter to the shelter, saving the county several hundred dollars for shelter operations.
The effectiveness of our spay/neuter program has begun to be reflected at the Meade County Animal Shelter by a drastic reduction in the volume of animals housed there. In 2002, 1344 animals (942 dogs and 402 cats) entered the county animal shelter. In 2003, 1157 animals (723 dogs and 434cats) entered the shelter. That's a decrease of 187 total animals - a decrease of 14% over the previous year's total. Prevention of unwanted animals through spays and neuters is saving lives as well as saving county tax dollars.
Additional good news from the shelter is that adoptions and reclaiming of lost pets increased in 2003. In 2002, 202 (21%) of the dogs were adopted, and 73 (8%) of the dogs were reclaimed by their owners; 63 (16%) of the cats were adopted, and 2 (1%) of the cats were reclaimed by their owners. So, in 2002, 304 (25%) of the animals who entered the county animal shelter made it out alive. In 2003, 197 (27%) of the dogs were adopted, and 74 (10%) of the dogs were reclaimed by their owners; 128 (30%) of the cats were adopted, and 2 (1%) of the cats were reclaimed by their owners. So, in 2003, 401 (35%) of the animals who entered the county animal shelter made it out alive - an increase of 5%. While there is still a great deal of room for improvement in those numbers, the trend is looking very positive.
Humane Education - PINS members continue to "tell our story" every opportunity we get.
In March, we did a presentation to the Meade County High School National Honor Society stressing the local problem of pet over population and the importance of spays and neuters.
In May, PINS participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. We erected a tent site with "Raining Cats and Dogs" as our theme. Our campsite won 2nd place in overall competition. Not only did we raise well over $1,200 for cancer research, we presented the public with information about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets as a means of not only pet population control, but as a means of preventing certain types of cancer in the pets.
In June, PINS volunteers set up a booth at the Purina Amazing Animals Contest held at the Midway Feed Mill. Free identification tags were provided to the attendees as part of our efforts to educate people on the importance of their pets wearing identification.
In July, PINS volunteers judged the Meade County Fair Pet/Dog Show, and seized the opportunity to educate county residents on the importance of responsible pet ownership and animal care.
In October, we held our 2nd annual Pet Festival and Blessing of the Animals where we invited the public to come celebrate the joy, companionship, and assistance that animals bring to our lives. The many contests and demonstrations were enjoyed by the hundreds of people and their pets in attendance. Pictures of the event can be found at the "Past Events" link.
Our Dog Obedience Classes continue to be a wonderful means of educating both people and dogs. PINS volunteer, Claudia Cooper, conducted three classes this past year. We are still "in search of" an ideal location for these classes, but until a better location is found, the Meade County Fiscal Court has allowed us to use county-owned facilities at no cost to PINS.
Our Fundraising Efforts
Donations - The community continues to support our efforts with their monetary donations, both large and small. Our collection boxes located in local businesses brought in $1,239.91 this year; other donations for 2003 - $1,912.00. Total private/individual donations for 2003: $3,151.91.
Yard Sales - As always, the response to our yard sales was tremendous. We received lots of great donations, had wonderful weather, and made lots of money. Our goal was $1,000, but thanks to all who bought, donated, and worked the events, our total income from yard sales in 2003: $1,172.36.
Summer Raffle - Thanks to the efforts of PINS volunteer Dorsey DeMaster, our 2003 raffle was a huge success. She solicited donated prize items from many national, regional, and local businesses. Grand Prize was two round trip tickets on Southwest Airlines to where ever SWA flies. Our income from the raffle was $2,780.00.
Wreath Festival - Our 4th Annual Wreath Festival was held 7-13 December at the Meade County Courthouse. The Wreath Festival continues to be our biggest fundraiser. Thanks to the hard work and creativity of PINS volunteers, especially Liz Bell and Jennifer Marshall, the festival was a huge success. Over 140 wreaths, swags, wall trees, and center pieces, and hundreds of smaller holiday cash and carry items were designed, created, and donated by individuals for sale. Total income for the 2003 Wreath Festival was $5,958.50.
Membership - Our membership continues to grow. Our current membership is 96 individuals and 4 businesses. Membership fees help cover our routine costs of existing. From these fees we pay our phone bill, buy stamps, rent our post office box and a safety deposit box, etc. More importantly, having a large membership helps give "strength in numbers" when we deal with agencies such as our local county government or national animal welfare organizations.
Our Financial Status
Beginning Balance 1 Jan 2003: $23,637.40
Income
Collection boxes
Spay/Neuter Grant Reimbursement Donations Membership Obedience Classes Yard Sales Raffle Shirt Sales Lapel Pins & Toy Animal Sales |
1239.91
300.00 1912.00 980.00 760.00 1172.36 2780.00 300.00 18.00 |
Total Income |
$15420.77 |
Expenses
Spay/Neuter
PINS Storage Shed Dog Pens Materials Wreath Festival Supplies Raffle Ticket Printing Advertising PINS Shirts Rescue Tags & Fire Stickers Pet Festival Equip & Materials Postage & PO Box Rental Annual Tax Audit Total Expenses |
9970.00
711.26 271.55 464.89 119.69 93.20 290.00 235.09 251.50 85.00 225.00 $13237.00 |
Balance as of 31 December 2003 |
$25821.17 |