January 2021 Newsletter

Happy New Year!

As we wave good bye to 2020 in the rear view mirror, we look ahead to a far better new year – one filled with hope for good health and the promise that together we can overcome the long list of crises that have impacted our country and each of us.

While 2020 was challenging for so many in so many ways, with your generosity and support we not only got through it, we celebrated some amazing results that we’re excited to share with you.

Our staff and volunteers doubled down, worked against the odds and demonstrated what a small group of dedicated people can accomplish when they share a passion and a common goal.  For them, we are so grateful!

The Numbers – For 2020

We took in 121 dogs – down a bit from previous years, which appears to be the trend nationally.  With so many people at home, the pooches have been on lock down too! But, this enabled us to assist other area shelters and collaborate for our first transfer of dogs from rural North Carolina.    

A total of 62 were adopted, 58 were reunited with their families and 5 were transferred to new shelters. 

We took in a total of 263 cats and placed 245! (And, many more are going home in January!

And, drum roll please…………we sterilized 963 dogs and cats through our spay/neuter clinics! And, remember, clinics were suspended from March into June.

A Round of Apaws!

THANK YOU!

We’ve said it before, but we simply have to say it again – we couldn’t do the work we do without your generous support! This holiday season you totally crushed it! This year end fundraising campaign was one of the most successful ever! 

Your support was matched with a donation of $24K from the Staffworks Fund Save a Life Holiday Campaign! 

While we know that so many of you faced your own challenges during this pandemic, you still found it in your hearts to care for the shelter animals! Your generosity is nothing short of amazing and your support will help us to carry us through the next few months. 

The Staffworks 2020 Save A Life Campaign raised an incredible $3,041,832!

The 2020 Campaign included 39 nonprofit animal welfare organizations in 17 counties in Central and Southern New York and Pennsylvania. 

Since its inception in 2014, the Save A Life Campaign has raised $6,156,444 for nonprofit organizations providing direct care and services for at-risk animals in regional communities where Staffworks operates.

Additionally, the Staffworks Save A Life Campaign has provided matching levels for community donations during the month of December.

Lily, as we’ve named her, arrived as a stray on the bitter cold morning of December 23^rd. Found in a remote area, she was unkempt, thin, and unable to walk. She was immediately taken to the vet, who determined that Lily had not been hit by a car as we feared, but was suffering from chronic arthritis. She was given a short acting steroid injection and was prescribed medications which have enabled her to walk again.

It wasn’t until ten days after Lily arrived that we discovered that she had not been abandoned as we suspected, but amazingly enough, had wandered from home. Her owner, no longer able to care for her, surrendered Lily to us with the hope that we would find her a home better able to provide for her. 

Now, we are asking for your help in doing just that. At about 12 years old, Lily would enjoy a quiet adult home with someone home with her for much of the day. She is very undemanding and most appreciative of everything you do for her. She spends much of her day napping, enjoys several shorter strolls a day and appreciates good food. For the most part Lily gets around well, although stairs would be challenging for her. Her medications are simple and not costly.  She is a lovely soul, who so deserves to spend her days with someone who loves her. 

If you, or someone you know, might be able to offer Lily a loving home in which to spend her golden years, please call us at 607-594-2255 ext 201. She promises to return your affection with all the love she has to give. 

A Tail Wagging Happy Tail:

Jonny Cakes

 Perhaps you remember that scared, scruffy little waif of a guy who had found refuge in an old outhouse? We appropriately called him “Jonny Cakes”, which suited him well. He arrived thin, flea ridden, matted and covered in feces and had experienced some trauma to his right eye and was absolutely terrified. 

It took several days before he began to trust. His medical issues were treated and within a few weeks he was becoming a much happier, healthy little guy, ready to be neutered, vaccinated and to find a new home. 

Much to our surprise our spay/neuter clinic vet took one look at him and said “He’s just the kind of dog we’ve been looking for!” So, obviously, the rest is history!

Look at him now!

Can and Bottle Redemption –

A Record Year!

You support us in so many ways. You donate financially, you volunteer, you adopt, and you donate your cans and bottles – this year a record number. You might not think that bag of cans means much, but put ‘em all together and they totaled thousands of dollars! Yup, that’s right!  Those cans and bottles feed the shelter animals, provide medications, pay veterinary bills and help to pay our dedicated staff. Let’s go for another record in 2021! 

We would be remiss without publicly thanking each of you who helped us so generously during this difficult time, with your financial support and your donations of food and supplies.  We hope that we’ve thanked each of you individually but, if for some reason we missed you, please accept our heartfelt thanks! We couldn’t do it without you! 

Other ways to help:

·     You can purchase items on line through Amazon Smile and a portion of your purchase will benefit The Humane Society.

·     Visit Chewy.com to see our Wish List and make donations of Alpo canned dog and Fancy Feast/Friskies cat food. The cats prefer non-fish flavors and pate (not shreds or chunks)! Chewy will ship directly to us and shipping is free for orders over $49.00.

As we all continue to navigate through these turbulent times, please know that we truly value your on-going support. For that, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Please take care and stay safe!

The Humane Society of Schuyler County is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation dedicated to advancing animal welfare in our community. All contributions are tax deductible. You can donate online, via our PayPal account, or send checks to us directly at 124 Marina Drive, Montour Falls, NY 14865