Frederick in FFOCAS 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

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1 Frederick in FFOCAS 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter 2017

2 MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to support and facilitate the lifesaving work of Frederick County Animal Control (FCAC) by providing the resources to: treat and rehabilitate animals with medical and behavioral needs who might otherwise have to be humanely euthanized; enrich the shelter environment and reduce the amount of time any animal stays in the shelter, minimizing the chance for new behavior or health problems to develop; recruit volunteers and foster care providers who are able to work with special needs animals; reduce the homeless pet population by supporting and facilitating the spaying and neutering of companion animals; help families keep the pets they have by providing the resources to resolve common behavior problems and find petfriendly housing; and provide grant writing assistance for the shelter. PRESIDENT AND CHAIR OF THE BOARD Bette Stallman Brown VICE PRESIDENT Erin E. Riley TREASURER Doree Lynn Miles OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS Kate Luse Jaime McKay Eugenia Ropp Debbie Schran CONTACT 132 W. 2nd Street Frederick, MD

Letter from the Board In our first full year of operations, Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter (FFOCAS) hit the ground running, using what we d learned in 2016 to help our local shelter,

3 Letter from the Board In our first full year of operations, Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter (FFOCAS) hit the ground running, using what we d learned in 2016 to help our local shelter, Frederick County Animal Control (FCAC). Operating with a shoestring county budget, a dwindling donation fund, and inadequate staffing, FCAC s lifesaving achievements are remarkable. However, the shelter s save rate stands at around 60%. It is not possible to save every animal who arrives at an open-admission animal shelter some are too sick; some can t be safely handled but FFOCAS believes that the Frederick community can do more for those animals who ve been let down by every human they ve known. FFOCAS is here to help fill the gaps that remain. Our goal to help the shelter save all of the senior, ill, and injured animals who just need a little veterinary care and TLC, every shy, scared pet who needs nothing more than time and patience, every enthusiastic, under-socialized dog who simply needs to learn how to dog. To achieve our goals in 2017, we raised funds through events, online fundraisers, and grants, using the money raised to cover veterinary care for shelter pets whose medical or behavioral needs went beyond the bare minimum covered by the county budget. We also recruited and coordinated foster care providers and volunteers who helped the animals at greatest risk of euthanasia. In short, FFOCAS made a difference... for shelter animals and the people who work so hard to help them. Thank you for your support! Bette, Erin, Doree Lynn, Jaime, Kate, Debbie, and Tiny The FFOCAS Board of Directors

Financial Support Bella Notte Tiger Lily Brooke s Medical Fund Scout The majority of FFOCAS donations go to pay for dental procedures,

In 2017, FFOCAS used its medical fund to help the following shelter animals, all now in their forever homes: A mastectomy for Lucy the miniature

needed) for Buster the dog, Riley the Chihuahua, bonded Chihuahuas Becky and Vivian, Mickey the bichon frise, and kitties Sparky and Eros Eye

4 Financial Support Bella Notte Tiger Lily Brooke s Medical Fund Scout The majority of FFOCAS donations go to pay for dental procedures, diagnostics, tumor removals, and other medical procedures for pets residing at the Frederick shelter. In 2017, FFOCAS used its medical fund to help the following shelter animals, all now in their forever homes: A mastectomy for Lucy the miniature pinscher and lump/tumor removals for Cali the calico cat and Scout the beagle Dental procedures (cleaning and examining teeth with extractions as needed) for Buster the dog, Riley the Chihuahua, bonded Chihuahuas Becky and Vivian, Mickey the bichon frise, and kitties Sparky and Eros Eye surgeries for a kitty named Pirate, a lynx point kitten named Tiger Lily, and Frederick the Persian A nasopharyngeal exam and nasal flush for Merlin the kitty An ultrasound for Bella Notte the pit bull 4

Behavior Support Fund MANY ANIMALS FIND THE BUSTLING SHELTER ENVIRONMENT SCARY OR STRESSFUL. FFOCAS CURRENTLY ASSISTS FREDERICK COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL THROUGH A VARIETY OF APPROACHES.

5 Behavior Support Fund MANY ANIMALS FIND THE BUSTLING SHELTER ENVIRONMENT SCARY OR STRESSFUL. FFOCAS CURRENTLY ASSISTS FREDERICK COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL THROUGH A VARIETY OF APPROACHES. Abandoned by his family for an unknown period of time, Brickle was brought to the shelter by a concerned neighbor. After a couple of months, he found what we thought would be his forever home. Unfortunately, with all the changes he d been through, and possibly due to the previous abandonment, Brickle was showing signs of separation anxiety he was destructive and vocal in the home and even in his crate. He also did not play nicely with an extended family member s dog. His adoptive family stuck with him for three months and finally returned him to the shelter. The FFOCAS and FCAC volunteers who would later form the Canine Enrichment Team provided Brickle with opportunities for off-leash socialization and play with other dogs. The team learned that, although the occasional male dog would make Brickle tense, he actually got along great with most dogs, male and female. In fact, his best buddy for several weeks was a younger male pit bull named Jaxon, who showed Brickle in their very first meeting that he was all about play. Jaxon and our team of volunteers helped Brickle hang in there during his second stay at the shelter while the team figured out how to help Brickle with his separation anxiety. With the help of an area rescue, FFOCAS found a trainer willing to provide training and boarding for Brickle at a greatly reduced rate. The trainer found that, although Brickle did seem to have some anxiety over being left alone, he had also simply learned that vocalizing would be rewarded with attention. In addition, he was not completely housetrained. Using only positive reinforcement and other force-free methods, the trainer helped Brickle overcome his behavior issues and continued to give him opportunities for socialization with other dogs. After a few months, Brickle was adopted from the training facility without having to come back to the stressful shelter. Above: Brickle and his friend Jaxon at the shelter. 5

To ease the burden on the shelter s rescue partners, which depend entirely on donations to operate, FFOCAS sometimes pays the pull fee, especially for animals who will need medical or behavioral

6 Assistance to Rescues Several rescue organizations regularly pull animals from FCAC. Generally, the shelter must charge the rescue a pull fee to recoup money spent on vaccinations and any other vet care the animal received while residing at the shelter. To ease the burden on the shelter s rescue partners, which depend entirely on donations to operate, FFOCAS sometimes pays the pull fee, especially for animals who will need medical or behavioral assistance. FFOCAS will also occasionally pay for an animal to be spayed or neutered, to have other medical procedures, or to get necessary training after being pulled by a rescue. In 2017, the bulk of the rescue assistance focused on three dogs: Sugar Sugar, a pit bull mix who arrived at the shelter with a hip injury. She needed femoral head osteotomy surgery and extensive physical therapy. A rescue called Pitties and Purrs pulled Sugar, and FFOCAS found Sugar a foster home and paid for her surgery and physical therapy. She is all better now and has been adopted by her foster family! Frosty, a husky who was mistreated for five years and developed handling sensitivities as a result. He was pulled by a rescue called Tara s House, which found him an amazingly dedicated foster family and two excellent trainers. FFOCAS and another Frederick organization, Uniting to Save Animals, together paid for the bulk of Frosty s training and behavior modification. Frosty now has an interested potential adopter who is ready to continue helping Frosty recover from his past. Bear, a Rottweiler mix puppy who was surrendered when his owners were mad at him. Tara s House also pulled Bear. FFOCAS and Tara s House split the cost of providing him with basic obedience training. Bear has now found his forever home! Equipment and Supplies Bear FFOCAS purchased a standalone kennel for the shelter s education room so dogs (or cats) who are especially stressed in the chaotic, loud kennel environment have a place to relax. In addition, ten new cat carriers were purchased for the shelter. Right: Frosty and his new friend. 6

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9 Targeted Volunteer Coordination FFOCAS leverages its greatest resource people to provide the greatest benefit to FCAC. Canine Enrichment Team FFOCAS president and board member Bette Brown started and coordinates the CET, which provides enrichment for shelter dogs. Enrichment includes: Socialization. Dogs are highly social and it s difficult for them to stay at the shelter for weeks or months, surrounded by other dogs but unable to meet them. CET walks the dogs in pairs or groups, giving each of them a chance to just enjoy another dog s company, exchange a friendly glance or tail wag, greet each other, and even play a bit on leash. Whenever possible, the team allows the dogs opportunities for off-leash play. Confidence building. CET works with dogs who are having trouble adjusting to the shelter. The team helps to build the confidence of scared dogs and helps dogs who are behaving defensively learn how to meet new people. Obedience. CET works on loose leash walking (not pulling on leash) and other basic obedience, primarily for long-term canine residents. In addition to helping the dogs behave better, working on obedience provides mental stimulation for the dogs. Outings. CET takes shelter dogs on fun outings to parks and to downtown Frederick to give them a break from the shelter as well as additional exposure to potential adopters. CET takes every opportunity to get pictures and videos of the dogs in various settings and interacting with people and (when safe) with other dogs. The team feels the pictures and videos, which are posted on social media, help promote the individual dogs to potential adopters and encourage people to come to the shelter to look for their next furry family member. We also help find rescue organizations for dogs when FCAC staff resources are limited. Fraidy Cat Program Coordination FFOCAS coordinates the shelter s Fraidy Cats program to help scared kitties get ready for the adoption floor. A member of the FFOCAS team acts as liaison between shelter staff and a team of cat-savvy FCAC volunteers. This program allows for individualized interactions with special needs cats, and allows vetted volunteers to provide additional support for FCAC staff. Grant Writing Support For the past three cycles, FFOCAS has helped the shelter write and/or conduct research for their spay/ neuter grant proposal. FFOCAS continues to seek out grant opportunities to fund medical care for senior pets, an intake prevention program, and other needs. Clockwise from top left:: Lucy, Ziggy and Colt, Colt, Grace, and Javon (now Barley), Pancake, Rubble (now Rebel), Lulu. 9

Fundraising Events FFOCAS holds a number of fundraising events throughout the year, including regular Yappy Hours at local restaurants such as Barley and Hops and La Paz, a pet pictures with Santa

Good PR, increased awareness, and positive exposure for the shelter are additional benefits resulting from these events. Pints for Paws This Annual Event began in 2016 and has continued to grow.

Guests are treated to a silent auction, live music, and a raffle all benefitting FFOCAS.

10 Fundraising Events FFOCAS holds a number of fundraising events throughout the year, including regular Yappy Hours at local restaurants such as Barley and Hops and La Paz, a pet pictures with Santa event, and our signature Pints for Paws annual event. At events like these, the hosting venue donates a percentage of sales to FFOCAS. Good PR, increased awareness, and positive exposure for the shelter are additional benefits resulting from these events. Pints for Paws This Annual Event began in 2016 and has continued to grow. Along with enjoying delicious food and drinks, guests are able to meet with potential new furry family members, care of FCAC. Guests are treated to a silent auction, live music, and a raffle all benefitting FFOCAS. Paint Events FFOCAS hosts paint events, in which participants are guided by artist and instructor Joanne Rodgers of JoJo and Van Gogh in creating their own work of art. A percentage of the ticket price for the paint events goes toward the cause. Doughraisers FFOCAS held a doughraiser at Pizzeria Uno. FFOCAS later held a separate doughraiser to benefit Austin Pets Alive! in their Hurricane Harvey relief efforts because we are stronger together! 10

Pet Photo Contest #GivingTuesday Swag Sales This contest is free to enter for all Frederick County residents.

Giving Tuesday is an online fundraiser with a dollar match presented by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

FFOCAS raises money for the shelter by participating in the sale of branded goods, including sweatshirts, magnets, bandanas, t-shirts, and more.

11 Pet Photo Contest #GivingTuesday Swag Sales This contest is free to enter for all Frederick County residents. Through Facebook voting and judging, photos that best represent the theme Pets Are Family are chosen and are featured in our calendar. Sales of the calendar raise funds and awareness. Giving Tuesday is an online fundraiser with a dollar match presented by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. FFOCAS participates on this day and raises money for vulnerable pets through social media and direct donations. FFOCAS raises money for the shelter by participating in the sale of branded goods, including sweatshirts, magnets, bandanas, t-shirts, and more. Other Fundraisers In addition to our events, FFOCAS organizes online fundraisers via Facebook to request donations and financial support for shelter pets requiring medical or behavioral assistance or to provide the shelter with necessary equipment. FFOCAS sold hoodies/sweatshirts via a booster.com online fundraiser. A percentage of the sales benefit FFOCAS and spread the Pets are Family, and Family is Forever message into the community. 11

12 Finances Total Revenue for 2017: $18,611 Total Expenses for 2017: $14,694 12

13 Celebrating our successes and looking toward the future. Clockwise from top left: Charlie, Frederick, Brickle, Nesbitt, Becky and Vivian. 13

14 14 Meet the Team!

15 Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Mission. a compassionate community where animals and people are cared for and valued. Private nonprofit

Mission. a compassionate community where animals and people are cared for and valued. Private nonprofit Mission a compassionate community where animals and people are cared for and valued Private nonprofit Pueblo Animal Services is a division of Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, a private, nonprofit