until every pet is wanted 2012 Annual Report

until every pet is wanted 2012 Annual Report

Table of Contents The KHS: Who we are... 2 2012 shelter statistics... 3 2012 financial highlights... 4 Animal cruelty investigations... 5 One of many Happy Tails... 5 KHS in the community: A few highlights from 2012... 6 7 s Mission Statement... 8 Full 2012 Financial Statements with Auditors Report are available separately upon request. Front cover photo: Lola, a shelter pup who has since found her forever home! Above: KHS Executive Director Connie Ball with Slim Shady the bunny. The : Who we are The is a local charity founded in 1884. In existence since 1927, we remain an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to providing shelter and care to homeless, injured and abused animals. The employs approximately 20 people and depends on volunteers for our Board of Directors, various programs and some of our daily operations, including enrichment of the lives of animals during their stay in our care. We are the only animal shelter in Frontenac County. An Ontario SPCA affiliate As an affiliate of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the supports investigations into allegations of animal cruelty and educates the public on the humane treatment of animals. We ensure that every animal coming into our care receives humane treatment and appropriate medical attention and benefits from best practices in shelter procedures and animal care. Funding sources The does not receive government or municipal funding for its programs. Sources of revenue and funding that we depend on include: Public and corporate charitable donations Memberships Grants Bequests Fundraising campaigns and events Services provided for a fee The KHS provides care to approximately 3,000 animals in need in a year. In addition to dogs and cats, we have cared for rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, lizards and a wide variety of birds. The Society provides a long-standing and valuable service to the community as an organization dedicated to honouring, strengthening and promoting the deep bond between humans and pets, and we are proud to enrich the lives of so many people and animals. Page 2

2012 shelter statistics In 2012, the provided care and shelter to 2,820 animals: 827 dogs, 1882 cats and 111 other animals, including budgies, chinchillas, cockatiels, degus, ferrets, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and snakes. Of these, 614 were surrendered by their owners for various reasons, 1,899 were strays, 221 were OSPCA non-compliance/ seizure removals, 36 were transferred to us from OSPCA or other shelters, and 50 were re-admissions. While the proportion of our intake who were stray animals decreased in 2012 67% compared to 71.2% in 2011 the proportion of animals who came to us as the result of OSPCA non-compliance/seizure removals increased from 3.3% in 2011 to 8% in 2012, a confirmation of the importance of our remaining an OSPCA affiliate. Animal intake at KHS The found new homes for 1,206 animals in 2012 (including 471 adopted from our satellite adoption centres, pet-oriented local businesses who support our adoption program by helping us find adoptive homes for our cats and kittens). Our adoption rate in 2012 was 43%, compared to 39.7% in 2011. Our euthanasia rate dropped in 2012 to 35% from the 2011 rate of 39.7% As the graphs at the right illustrate*, KHS s adoption rate in 2012 was higher than the average rate at Ontario shelters and the number of animals euthanized was lower than the provincial average. Euthanasias include those requested by pet owners surrendering their animals to the shelter and those required by provincial legislation. *Graphs and statistics are produced through PetPoint, a networked animal shelter data management system used by many shelters (43 in Ontario), including KHS. Data for shelters not using PetPoint are not included in these figures. Animal outcomes Ontario A shelter dog getting out for a play 2012 Annual Report Page 3

2012 financial highlights We would like to thank the community, our donors and our partners in the community and in animal welfare for the support and contributions we received in 2012. As we are a non-profit organization, the support we receive from donations is essential for us to remain in the community assisting animals in need. The community has continued to support our work, giving $544,989 in donations, memberships and bequests in 2012. This represents 50% of our total revenues. (In 2011, donations and requests totalled $543,326, which represented 52% of revenues). Of the total donations, $282,855, or 52%, came from bequests. We are very thankful for those who think of us and help provide the means for us to care for local animals in our community. During the year, we reviewed our mix of income streams. In an effort to stabilize income, we negotiated new pound contracts with a number of municipalities. This has resulted in greater income for our services, rising from 11% to 18%, or $201,658. This gain is expected to continue in 2013. In 2012, we increased the number of special adoption events. Adoption fees in 2012 accounted for $160,678, or 14% of our revenue, in 2012, compared to $160,978 or 15% in 2011. These events resulted in a slight increase in our adoptions, rising from 1,192 in 2011 to 1,206 in 2012, and we are pleased that they helped us find safe homes much sooner and reduce stress and costs for those animals adopted. Our fundraising division creates and assists with a number of events and opportunities to increase community support for our work, and it maintains our media, website and publication presence. In 2012, fundraising revenues were $125,733, or 11% of our total ($125,756 or 12% in 2011). We are always looking for ways to increase support for the Society and the work we do. Medicines and veterinary fees represented the largest cost increase in 2012. New pharmaceutical agreements for vaccines and medicines that will assist with lowering these costs were initiated in late 2012. The increase in veterinary costs, $129,987 in comparison to $119,027 in 2011, reflects our dedication to increasing the number of spayed/neutered animals adopted. We are pleased with the direction of our presence in the community and finances. While donations will always remain a cornerstone of our financial stability, growth 2012 income sources in services has resulted in increased revenues to offset rising costs. This year, for the first time in recent years, a surplus from operations of $6,756 was realized. We take our role as stewards of donor funds very seriously and we are dedicated to our mission. We thank our staff, donors, volunteers and supporters for their confidence and generosity. Above: KHS staff member Christie Haaima (left) training St. Lawrence College Veterinary Assistant Program placement students at the shelter. Page 4

Animal cruelty investigations performed by An important element of the KHS s mission is to investigate reports of cruelty to animals, which we do as a duespaying affiliate of the Ontario SPCA. The Society receives no funding to provide this service, covering the costs to respond to allegations of animal cruelty through community donations and support. In 2012, 367 cases of animal cruelty in the City of Kingston and surrounding area were investigated. Of those, 25 required that a search warrant be issued to assist animals in distress. There were 22 cases of animals being removed, resulting in 86 animals being referred to veterinarians and given necessary care and treatment by the. Thank you to the members of the public who called and expressed concern for the welfare of animals in the community. Because of your thoughtful actions, many animals have been saved from neglect and abuse. One of many KHS Happy Tails of 2012 By Claire Stapon I adopted Sparta (renamed from Butterball) last winter, and now I can t imagine life without him. I remember bringing home this tiny little kitten with missing patches of fur where his mats had been clipped out. I was told that Sparta had been found living on the street and was covered in fleas and parasites when he came to KHS. His parasite problem was treated and he was sent to live with a foster family to learn how to interact properly with humans. He is the loudest cat I ve ever known and originally I remember being concerned that his meowing meant he was hurt or upset. Now I know much better his regular meowing is just his way of chatting with me, and I soon learned to chat back! Now Sparta has grown into a big and beautiful cat, with a soft, long coat and a tail as fluffy as a raccoon s! His personality is the same as it was when we first met. He is still as playful as a kitten, constantly bringing his toy mouse to us to play fetch or practicing his backflips (seriously) when we swing around his favourite feather wand. He has more toys than any other cat I know! When I come home from work, he might be in his cat tree or his hammock, but guaranteed he s at my feet by the time I get my shoes off. Thank you to everyone at the Humane Society for caring for all of the animals waiting to be adopted, and for the foster family who taught Sparta how to be a wonderful pet before he became a part of our family. We first saw Sparta at the Humane Society and when we came back to adopt him he had been moved to the Global Pet Foods satellite location, so thanks to them as well. 2012 Annual Report Page 5

Above: KHS vet tech Jess Higgs checking shelter cat Sampson. Facing page: Lower left: Pledge walkers at Big Paws at the Point in September. Upper right: The Crafters for Critters table at Shelter Day in June. KHS in the community: Highlights from 2012 Through the past year, the KHS continued to advocate on behalf of animals with the support of the community. We extend our deepest gratitude to all of the KHS members, donors, volunteers, businesses and organizations who helped us care for local animals in need. Below are some events of note from 2012. This February, Barney, the namesake of our Skip and Barney Fund, passed away. Before coming to KHS, Barney and Skip had suffered abuse, and both dogs needed medical attention that was beyond the KHS s usual means. As a result of an appeal to the community, funds were raised to assist both dogs. Today, donations are accepted to this fund so that some animals needing special medical care can receive treatment. May was proclaimed Month by the City of Kingston in recognition of the Society s work and community support to assist animals in need. The Watters-Morley Capital Fund was created with a generous donation from Bill Morley, made in memory of his wife Beth B. Watters Morley. This fund is supplemented by the sale of Mr. Morley s book Conversations with my Cat, which is available at the shelter. Income from the fund is used to assist the KHS in providing animal care. After a review of our pound contract with the City of Kingston, KHS entered into negotiations with the City for a new contract, as directed by council on August 14 th, 2012. The new fees better reflect the true cost of care for the city s stray dogs and cats. KHS cats may be adopted in the community at our Satellite Adoption Centres. We thank Birds n Paws, Global Pet Foods Kingston, PetSmart, Pet Valu Kingston and Pet Valu Gardiners Centre for helping us find homes for our felines. We once again participated proudly in the Canada Day and Santa Claus Parades, showing off our adoptable dogs to the people-lined streets. To find forever homes for the large number of adoptable cats at the shelter, KHS launched its first social media-driven adoption event last fall. Twenty-eight cats were adopted from the shelter at our Midnight Madness Adoption Event on November 17 th. November saw the opening of Missy s Way, an outdoor enrichment area for the shelter s dogs. Spearheaded by Brandy May, this project was realized through the hard work and generosity of numerous volunteers and local businesses. The area is used every day by dogs who benefit from time outdoors to explore and play. KHS fundraising events In 2012, a number of fundraising events gave donors and supporters a fun way to help us raise money for our animals. These included Bowl for the Animals, Shelter Day, Big Paws at the Point, and the Christmas Home for the Holidays event. In April 2012, our 9 th Bowl for the Animals event, held at Cloverleaf Bowling Lanes, raised just over $19,000 through pledges to bowlers from the community, snack sales, 50-50 draws, sponsorships and a silent auction. The proceeds of this annual event support our spay and neuter program. June 2012 featured KHS Shelter Day, a day on which we opened our doors to the community. The day provided an opportunity for visitors to learn about our programs and what we do, speak with staff and board members, tour the facility, enjoy a delicious barbeque lunch and more. The day also kicked off Cat Adoption Month, helping us find homes for some of the many felines that came into our care last year. Page 6

The 14th Annual Big Paws pledge walk in September 2012 raised just over $26,000. More than 300 people, many with their canine friends, attended the event, which featured a vendor marketplace, demonstration by the Kingston Police K-9 Unit, sponsors, a barbeque lunch, silent and live auctions. After receiving positive feedback from our supporters about the 2012 edition, the KHS produced the 2013 Best Friends Calendar, a great way for proud pet owners and other animal lovers to give a beautiful and practical gift to friends and family. Our December Home for the Holidays event has grown from a special adoption event to include opportunities to financially assist animals in the community at this special time of year. The holiday adoption event was an opportunity for families to take advantage of holiday downtime to introduce a new pet into the household. Added to this initiative were a direct mail campaign, sales of live Christmas trees and a drop-in at the shelter with Starbucks beverages. Community events and support Fundraising support by the community is critical for us to be able to do the work we do. We thank everyone who helped in this way over the past year for their time and efforts and the funds they raised to make a difference in many animals lives. Here is just a sampling of some of the community fundraising support in 2012. We are truly inspired by the many children and young adults the Kids Who Care who asked for donations to the KHS in lieu of birthday presents or who organized events and donated the proceeds to the shelter. Thank you to the Window Centre, Lisa Ray at K-Rock 105.7 and St. Lawrence Veterinary Services for promoting shelter animals for adoption. Invaluable local adoption events and fundraising initiatives were also held throughout the year at Global Pet Foods, PetSmart, Pet Valu Kingston Centre and Pet Valu Gardiners Centre. St. Lawrence College Veterinary Assistant Program students helped us throughout the year by providing a knowledgeable base of foster volunteers. We also thank them for their excellent fundraising efforts. Our appreciation to Scotiabank (143 Princess Street), Starbucks (2376 Princess Street), Kingston Road Runners Association and Bob Steacy of Sutton Group Realty for raising funds to support the KHS and our mission. A huge thank-you, too, to the Crafters for Critters, who hand-craft and sell beautiful and unique gifts, entirely for the benefit of the KHS. 2012 Annual Report Page 7

s Mission To care for injured, abused and homeless animals To return or find homes for these animals To promote and organize spay and neuter programs To undertake cruelty investigations To provide emergency rescues To provide humane education To assist with the educational programs for St. Lawrence College Executive Director Connie Ball 2012 2013 Board of Directors President: Janice Saunders Corporate Secretary: Gabriela Freyenmuth Treasurer: Peter Viveiros Vice President: Susan Petrick Vice President: Chris Strutt Chair: Lisa Neumann Stephanie Fischkohl Don Gallagher Frank Huntley Vince Sacco Nancy Warnica We are grateful to Royal Canin for graciously feeding the animals at the shelter in 2012. Page 8 E-mail: board@kingstonhumanesociety.ca Contact Information 1 Binnington Court, Kingston ON K7M 8M9 Phone 613-546-1291 Fax 613-546-3398 Visit our website for information on our upcoming events, adoptable animals, volunteer opportunities and other ways you can make a difference in the lives of the animals in our community: www.kingstonhumanesociety.ca