Advocate Save Support

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1 Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man, himself, will not find peace. - Albert Schweitzer FISCAL YEAR 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Advocate Save Support

A Message from Jane Pierantozzi Founder & Executive Director 17 Years of Giving Our Faithful Friends a Voice Our journey began in 2000 when I visited a Delaware animal shelter, where I saw the

2 A Message from Jane Pierantozzi Founder & Executive Director 17 Years of Giving Our Faithful Friends a Voice Our journey began in 2000 when I visited a Delaware animal shelter, where I saw the desperate faces of scared animals, and heard the cries of a tiny stray dog named Peanut. Outraged by the poor treatment and mass killing of the animals there, I organized a group of local citizens seeking ways to protect homeless, neglected and abused pets in our state. Soon after we organized, our fears were confirmed: The state s publicly funded shelters were killing 90% of their pets. We launched an educational campaign to change public policy for our vulnerable companion animals. That s how Faithful Friends started, and continues, with compassionate, dedicated volunteers, employees, and donors who are the voice for those without any (Be sure to read Peanut s emotional story on page 2.). In the years following, our advocacy led to positive change, with Delaware s first spay/neuter and shelter standards bills signed into law. Both became national models for animal welfare legislation. Today, our state reports a 90% save rate for animals entering shelters. We also established a no-kill shelter that annually houses more than 1,500 animals, and serves over 18,000 pets and 20,000 people across our state. Here we are, 17 years later, with much progress made, but more inroads to make. In our Annual Report, you ll read about 2017 s most significant accomplishments, and how we re positioning ourselves for growth. They include: Expanded low-cost, quality veterinary care services. Our stand-alone veterinary clinic operates six days a week in a newly renovated building adjacent to the shelter. It serves 5,000+ pets annually by providing caring pet owners, and those caring for community cats, accessible medical care, which keeps animals healthy, reduces pet homelessness, and minimizes shelter relinquishments. The small profit made by the clinic goes back into the shelter to help homeless and neglected pets. Thank You...for your loyal partnership. We believe that a caring community is one that treats all animals with kindness and respect because every life is Increased small dog lifesaving program to help precious! other states reduce euthanasia. This year we accepted displaced and abandoned small dogs from Texas shelters, which helps to reduce adoptable dog kill rates. We receive dogs monthly, and place them up for adoption through a national rescue effort organized by Best Friends Animal Society. As small dog adoptions are high, we have space open to take additional small dogs from other states. First priority, however, is given to Delaware animals in need. Advanced plans for future move within New Castle County and the construction of a new, modern shelter. With the state s generous surplus land gift commitment, and a grant award from the Longwood Foundation, we re moving one step closer to our dream of a new shelter. Our goal is to maintain high standards of care and meet the growing demand for services. We hired an architect and engineers who are busy drafting final land and new building plans. Your support will enable us to move to a more accessible location and build a shelter that fulfills our mission. Our lifesaving programs are only possible because of your support throughout the year! Did you know that 61% of our operating budget comes from passionate contributors? Keeping our doors open and caring for our animals is a responsibility we take seriously. But we cannot do it alone. You give us the courage and resources to continue this important work.

3 Honored Founders Executive Director Board of Directors Current Leadership Team Board of Advisors

Advocate A Voice That Launched a Movement Seventeen years ago, Jane Pierantozzi, the founder of Faithful Friends, visited a Delaware publicly funded shelter to find a dog.

4 Advocate A Voice That Launched a Movement Seventeen years ago, Jane Pierantozzi, the founder of Faithful Friends, visited a Delaware publicly funded shelter to find a dog. The dogs had no names, only numbers, and no bedding or toys. Even worse, the employees who interacted with customers had no basic knowledge of dogs and cats. Shockingly, they discouraged adoptions. After walking among the desperate animals who were barking, hiding, or pawing to get her attention, one dog caught her eye and ears. Peanut, as he would come to be named, was a Lhasa Apso who sounded like a crying baby. The little dog was whimpering and shaking in fear. When asked about the dog in cage 134, a shelter employee replied: You don t want her honey. She has a skin disease that will cost you thousands of dollars to fix. Unable to forget Peanut and the other suffering pets, Jane returned to adopt him when his stray hold was up. Peanut had patches of hair missing and exposed raw skin. After receiving care at a local veterinarian for $150, it was determined that Peanut had a simple flea allergy. Peanut was spayed and quickly found a new, forever home with a wonderful couple. Combating the 90% Kill Rate She later discovered that Peanut s shelter was funded by taxpayers, and these publicly funded shelters were killing pets in mass numbers. In 2000, the shelter and Delaware overall had a 90% kill rate. About 25,000 animals a year were being killed year after year in our state, and only 10% of these helpless animals seeking refuge made it out alive. Peanut s voice was her inspiration to reform our publicly funded shelter system for abandoned, abused, and neglected animals. Ending poor shelter conditions, and killing as a routine solution, required leadership. You don t want her honey. She has a skin disease that will cost you thousands of dollars to fix. Shelter Employee Discouraging Peanut s Adoption We educated our state policymakers about the national no-kill movement, which was the goal, and had success in communities across the country. The cities with the best models included Austin, Texas; Reno, Nevada; and Jacksonville, Florida. These communities had high kill rates prior to changing their shelter leadership. Change starts with a progressive, caring shelter director. In 2004, Senator Patricia Blevins heard our pleas for help. As the animal welfare reform lead legislator, Senator Blevins and the entire assembly joined us to improve the lives of pets in Delaware. In 2016, Delaware reports a 90% save rate. While we continue to promote the advancement of animal welfare policy in Delaware in partnership with the new Office of Animal Welfare and other no-kill shelters today our focus is on expanding our services, and building a new, modern shelter.

The Journey to a No-kill State 2000 Group of citizens led by Jane Pierantozzi exposes the 90% kill rate in publicly funded shelters; starts the volunteer Pet Life Line to provide alternative animal

2006 Delaware s first spay/neuter legislation is signed into law and becomes a national model for animal welfare; public spay/neuter fund is created to help pet owners on public assistance; and

5 The Journey to a No-kill State 2000 Group of citizens led by Jane Pierantozzi exposes the 90% kill rate in publicly funded shelters; starts the volunteer Pet Life Line to provide alternative animal welfare resources to the public Faithful Friends incorporates and opens a no-kill shelter in Delaware Delaware s first spay/neuter legislation is signed into law and becomes a national model for animal welfare; public spay/neuter fund is created to help pet owners on public assistance; and shelters are required to spay/neuter pets prior to adoption Delaware s Animal Shelter Standards Law is signed and becomes a national model for animal welfare. Shelters are now required to provide basic medical care to animals; extend a 72-hour stray hold to include cats; perform lifesaving steps before euthanasia; and publicly post animal outcomes, ending the secrecy of mass killing Faithful Friends requests that Delaware s animal welfare services be consolidated and moved under a supportive state agency. The state legislature appoints a task force to review The Office of Animal Welfare is created and placed in the Department of Health and Human Services, with all animal welfare and safety services consolidated under this office Faithful Friends expands their community veterinary services to two days a week to include basic sick care, wellness care, and special procedures, which provides pet owners with affordable alternatives to giving pets up to a shelter or euthanasia Faithful Friends renovates the building next door and expands community veterinary services to 6 days a week, serving over 5,000 pets a year. Today, we rescue stray, abandoned, and orphaned pets, accept ownersurrendered pets, and provide temporary boarding for pets of homeless people. With the support of caring individuals and foundations, we don t stop there. Faithful Friends offers a wide range of prevention and intervention services for pets and the people who care for them. We place pets in loving homes, and manage a network of foster homes to expand our lifesaving capacity. We also spay/neuter pets and feral cats, which are returned to managed colonies. Because of the free and affordable support services we offer, many owners unable to keep and care for their pets can now do so.

6 Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Summary (July 1, 2016 June 30, 2017) 2017 Revenue $2,435 Million 4.1% 24.7% Individual Contributions Fundraising Events 62.0% Progra m Fees 9.2% Grants Program Services Include: 2017 Fundraising $2,316 Million 11% 3% Sheltering and Adoption Community Veterinary Care Food and Supply Bank Pet Therapy Programs Pet Life Line Sanctuary - Lifetime Care Advocacy Programs Fundraising* Management and General 86% *Events, Mail Appeals, and Development Personnel Time An independent audit is conducted each year and is available upon request.

Save Highlights 1,594 Dogs and cats entered care for safety 779 Owner-relinquished pets Saved lives through a comprehensive adoption program, foster care network, and rescue

617 animals were in shelter and foster care at year s end. On any given day, we care for 500 animals, with 18% of our budget allocated to direct medical care.

also known as sanctuary care, and enrichment to pets who are least likely to be adopted.

7 Save Highlights 1,594 Dogs and cats entered care for safety 779 Owner-relinquished pets Saved lives through a comprehensive adoption program, foster care network, and rescue partnerships. Exemplary shelter care was provided to 1,594 homeless cats and dogs, with 1,345 adopted to loving homes. 617 animals were in shelter and foster care at year s end. On any given day, we care for 500 animals, with 18% of our budget allocated to direct medical care. 353 Pets transferred in from other shelters 273 Pets brought by good Samaritans 104 Pets abandoned at our door Provided lifetime care to approximately 225 cats and dogs, also known as sanctuary care, and enrichment to pets who are least likely to be adopted. 85 Adoption returns 1,345 Pets adopted 2,000+ Pets received affordable spay/neuter surgeries to prevent birth of unwanted or homeless animals Prevented pet homelessness by offering low-cost spay/neuter surgeries for more than 2,000 cats and dogs. These included animals in shelter care, owned pets, and community free-roaming cats.

Support Keeping Pets in Loving Homes Highlights 1,868 Pet caretakers counseled Supported local pet owners in need by providing guidance and counseling to 1,868 community members

The life line is operated by volunteers who dedicated over 350 hours of service.

The Program served pet owners in financial crisis or on a limited income, as well as those who just needed support to care for free-roaming feral cats.

8 Support Keeping Pets in Loving Homes Highlights 1,868 Pet caretakers counseled Supported local pet owners in need by providing guidance and counseling to 1,868 community members in an effort to keep pets with the people who love them, or find alternative placements to keep them safe through our Pet Life Line. The life line is operated by volunteers who dedicated over 350 hours of service. 4,011 Pet caretakers received free pet food 7,538 Pets received free food Helped 4,011 people receive free pet food for 7,538 animals from our Free Food and Supply Bank. The Program served pet owners in financial crisis or on a limited income, as well as those who just needed support to care for free-roaming feral cats. 5,000+ People s pets received affordable veterinary care Provided quality, low-cost veterinary services to our community, which allows families to keep their pets, and enables community cats to stay healthy in colonies. Our goal is to avoid pets entering shelters because of medical needs, unnecessary euthanasia, and medical neglect due to financial constraints.

Save Foster Care Extends Our Lifesaving Work Highlights When our shelter is at full occupancy, or when animals can t thrive in a shelter environment, we turn to volunteers and foster parents to

140 Foster Parents 80 Foster homes for cats and kittens 60 Foster homes for dogs and puppies Each year, our Foster Care Program s network of approximately 140 foster parents assists very young pets

9 Save Foster Care Extends Our Lifesaving Work Highlights When our shelter is at full occupancy, or when animals can t thrive in a shelter environment, we turn to volunteers and foster parents to extend our lifesaving capacity. 140 Foster Parents 80 Foster homes for cats and kittens 60 Foster homes for dogs and puppies Each year, our Foster Care Program s network of approximately 140 foster parents assists very young pets such as kittens and puppies, or moms and their babies, and adults and seniors with special medical or behavior needs. The youngest animals and the oldest are the most vulnerable to illnesses common in shelters. Our largest population served by foster parents is kittens. Delaware continues to face challenges with the number of abandoned and homeless, which has created a cat crisis in our state. Kitten season is the time of year when kittens are found and thousands are brought to shelters for refuge. For a chance to survive, some orphaned kittens need bottle feeding. Kitten season has been lasting longer than past years. This year, kitten season started in late April and continued through February. The hardest months for high volumes are July, August and October. Faithful Friends provides medical care and food, while foster families provide a safe place, full of love, companionship, and exercise.

Save Sanctuary Care for Animals Highlights 225 Hard-to-adopt dogs and cats received long-term and lifetime care 60 Cats housed in Feral Cat Sanctuary 62 Cats in group living in shelter Long-term and

Our Feral Cat Sanctuary houses up to 60 displaced feral cats in a small barn.

Occasionally, a sanctuary cat socializes with humans and they are transitioned into our adoption program.

10 Save Sanctuary Care for Animals Highlights 225 Hard-to-adopt dogs and cats received long-term and lifetime care 60 Cats housed in Feral Cat Sanctuary 62 Cats in group living in shelter Long-term and lifetime care was provided to approximately 225 hard-to-adopt cats and dogs. The care is provided either on-site or through supported foster families. Our Feral Cat Sanctuary houses up to 60 displaced feral cats in a small barn. It features a pet door leading to a fenced 40 x 40 outdoor space, with vertical areas for cats to climb and sun themselves. The barn is insulated, heated and cooled. Occasionally, a sanctuary cat socializes with humans and they are transitioned into our adoption program. 6 Dogs in shelter 97 Cats and dogs in long-term foster homes Because of age, behavior, an incurable disease, disability and/or terminal illness, some cats and dogs are not adopted, and therefore are placed in one of several options. Cats may be placed in one of our cat group living rooms in the shelter, or in a long-term specialized foster home. Pictured: Gus, a senior, diabetic cat resident; and Hefner, a visually and hearing-impaired senior dog) Some dogs, because of neglect or abuse, have developed challenging behaviors and require rehabilitation. Faithful Friends promises sanctuary care to these dogs. They re offered priority for a limited number of dog apartments, and paired with Volunteer Ambassadors when possible. We also provide behavioral assessments and medical treatment as warranted for stress/anxiety, positive-based behavioral training, and training and activities to keep them mentally engaged and emotionally fit. (Pictured: Xena and Dog Department Manager Geannine Checchio)

Support Volunteers and Pet Therapy for Special-needs People Highlights 400+ Volunteers support all our agency s programs and services 4,553 Volunteer hours of service to eldercare facilities and

11 Support Volunteers and Pet Therapy for Special-needs People Highlights 400+ Volunteers support all our agency s programs and services 4,553 Volunteer hours of service to eldercare facilities and related programs Shared the unconditional love of companion animals with over 6,000 people through: Therapeutic Pet Visits Volunteers provided pets to individuals with special needs in local eldercare facilities, hospitals, and special-needs children and adult service day programs statewide. Our on-site Program for Education and Training (PET) provided opportunities for special-needs groups and individuals. (Pictured: Autism Delaware Volunteers) 125 Volunteers delivered pet therapy services 55 Human Service Agency partnerships LEAP (Literacy and Education Program) Volunteers in Sussex County, Delaware, take their approved, friendly dogs to work with children identified in the school system as having literacy deficits.

12 12 Germay Drive Wilmington, DE (302)

hope for our animals. hope for our community.

hope for our animals. hope for our community. While wandering a deserted beach at dawn, stagnant in my work, I saw a man in the distance bending and throwing as he walked the endless stretch toward me.