Tri-County Humane Society: News - TCHS Annual Report

August 19, 2008

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News: TCHS Annual Report

Annual Report for 2007

MISSION STATEMENT
In recognition of the bond between humans and animals, the Tri-County Humane Society (TCHS) exists to practice and promote humane principles, compassionate care, and the prevention of cruelty to animals.
This society serves the community (mainly Central MN), both animals and people, primarily by:
* providing quality care and adoption services for animals in need,
* offering educational programs to encourage the awareness,
understanding and practice of humane principles, and
* handling questions and complaints regarding animal care and
behavior, including alleged cruelty, and neglect cases.

In an average month in 2007, the TCHS staff…..

…took in 47 stray animals, and
…received over 289 owner surrendered animals, and
…placed over 217 pets into new homes, and
…answered 1875 phone calls, and
…welcomed 4075 visitors, and
…taught 10 classes of puppy and dog obedience training
…taught animal safety and humane principles to 325 people, and
…appreciated 1486 hours of volunteer assistance.

The TCHS is always a bustling place! Everyday we have animals coming in to us, animals being adopted and going to good home, and staff and volunteers who help with the whole process… Oh yeah, Phoenix and WIBS are there to help too!

SHELTER STATISTICS
2006 2007

Canine surrender dog/pup 729 / 459 628 / 427
Canine adopted 663 / 498 552 / 400
Feline surrender cat/kitten 920 / 835 1019 / 913
Feline adopted 548 / 722 592 / 694
Other surrender 229 323
Other adopted 223 304
Stray in dog/cat/other 121 / 339 / 5 215 / 371 / 1
Claimed dog/cat/other 47 / 5 / 0 58 / 9 / 0
Returned 117 / 72 / 4 111 / 83 / 12
EOR/died 22 / 49 / 4 37 / 46 / 7
Total Euthanized 351 / 922 / 20 386 / 1077 / 25

Adoption rate 71% 66%

The most staggering point regarding the statistics is the increase in the cat population and therefore an increase in the numbers of cats that had to be euthanized. Because of this, our focus on spaying and neutering is heavier on cats than on dogs. Our intention is to work hard toward having all cats spayed or neutered before they are adopted. We've made progress with the dog population, but have a long way to go with the cats.

In 2007 there were:
26% more strays surrendered (took on Waite Park's stray contract)
4% more animals surrendered (10% more cats surrendered)
15% more animals euthanized (72% were cats)
4% fewer animals adopted

In 2005 our Board of Directors decided on a five year (2005-2010) strategic plan to improve our services to the community. By focusing on these areas we are improving TCHS's ability to serve animals in need, and we are continuing to grow to meet the demands of the community. In this plan there are five focal areas:

Staff, Board and Volunteers

Our goal is to maintain and enhance the board, staff and volunteer base and build their skill sets to help meet TCHS's growing needs.

Action Step - Added a full time position to the front desk filled by Adam Jarboe.
Action Step - Marit Ortega (former Animal Care Manager) went to part time, Kari Boehmer (former Animal Care Supervisor) took Marit Ortega's position. Rachel Melling (former Customer Service Supervisor) took Kari Boehmer's position. Jess Peterschick (former part time staff) took Rachel Melling's position.
Action Step - Hired Mary Ostby for the Volunteer Coordinator position.
Action Step - Adopted a new board accountability evaluation.

Operations

Our goal is to continuously improve operations at the shelter and provide effective service to the people and animals we serve. We have done a great deal to move forward with this including:

Action Step - Our shelter veterinarian works once or twice a week doing surgeries and consulting on questionable animals. Surgeries/dentals are also done at the University on MN, a few local vet clinics and the MN school of business.
Surgery recap:
2006 - 137 cat spays, 167 cat neuters, 40 dog spays, 56 dog neuters, 2 entropion (eye surgery), 1 rabbit spay, 1 stitched dog ear, 1 C-Section
2007 - 152 cat spays, 338 cat neuters, 38 dog spays, 43 dog neuters, 1 rabbit spay, 3 rabbit neuters, 1 entropion (eye surgery), 7 dentals
Action Step - Going above and beyond the normal range of care more often. - Ringo was a Standard Poodle and German Shorthair mix puppy. He came to us at 13 weeks old with a sore leg and x-rays revealed it was broken. A splint was put on and he went to foster care for about a month. Ringo was soon adopted after he came back to the shelter.
Action Step -Once upon a time we took our surplus animals to other shelters and solicited food from them. Now we contact others when our animal count is low and invite them to bring animals to us and to take food with them when they go.
Action Step - All stray dogs and cats (except feral) are getting a full exams including vaccinations before their stray date is up. Puppies and kittens are getting their first vaccination at 4 weeks old and then every 2 weeks after until they are 5 months old or until they are adopted.
Action Step - We have created a program to help cats that do not use the litter box if they are already spayed or neutered. (Previously those cats were euthanized). The Barn Cat Placement Program for cats that are brought in that are already fixed but don't use the litter box will allow people to adopt cats for a $25 adoption fee that will include a Felv/FIV test, vaccine, dewormer, and any flea or earmite treatment if needed.

We had approximately 17,604 volunteer hours logged in 2007. 1,628 hours more than last year. We can credit that to having stability in our volunteer program.

Building Projects

Our goal is to maximize utilization of current physical space and investigate future expansion.

Action Step - We encountered major obstacles in getting our permit to build the training building. After satisfying the additional requests throughout the year, we will be ready to build in the spring of 2008. Action Step - We started to replace the puppy yard. It will be continued and completed in 2008.
Action Step - An eagle scout finished his project to build a roof over the back kennels.
Action Step - We where able to replace all of our trouble computers with new ones donated by Gray Plant Mooty.
Action Step - Developed and participated in disaster planning for the animals of our community as well as the TCHS shelter. Performed a shelter evacuation drill.

Financial Stability

Our goal is to maintain and improve the financial resources of TCHS so that we can enhance our services and fulfill our mission. It's not ideas we're short of, it's revenue.

Action Step - 8% increase in fundraising income and 64% increase in total revenue ($340,879 bequests in 2007 - $20,000 bequests in 2006).
Action Step - Planned Giving Program. TCHS is listed with "Leave a Legacy" and has met with local nonprofits within this group to share ideas and brainstorm on new ones. We include on all appropriate TCHS materials that we will provide estate planning upon request. Executive Director attended several workshops on soliciting major gifts and estate planning. Focus is on the current board to lead by example and introduce friends and family to the shelter.
Action Step - Round up and buy a bone promotions were implemented. Staff asks with each cash transaction if they'd like to round up to the nearest dollar to further help the animals. The round-up contributions were instrumental in the 42% increase in donations at the front desk.

Shelter revenue budget: $315,100
Shelter revenue actual: $333,193

Other revenue budget: $250,140
Other revenue actual: $608,657

Total revenue budget: $565,240
Total revenue actual: $941,850 (wow)

Shelter expenses budget: $563,040
Shelter expenses actual: $592,647

Other expenses budget: $37,890
Other expenses actual: $31,180

Total expenses budget: $600,930
Total expenses actual: $623,827

Change in net assets before investments actual: $318,022
Change in net assets including investments actual: $384,221 (investments generated $66,199)

Community Education

Our goal is to increase TCHS's focus on education and outreach to the community. Activities we have done to achieve this goal are:

Action Step - TCHS continues to host and develop a yearly conference in St. Cloud focusing on educating people who work with animal welfare.
Action Step - Conduct puppy and obedience classes.
New classes introduced in 2007: Reactive, tricks, and carting.
Action Step - Maintain the website and petfinder.com which offers great exposure.
Action Step - A donated lap top computer and the creation of a power point presentation is being used for public speaking.

Education

Talks given: 53 (over 1750 youth and adults)
Tours given: 11 (163 youth and adults)
Events attended: 11 (2630 youth and adults)
Senior visits: 40 (600 residents)
Places/Clubs visited: 31

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President- Kris Stewart
First Vice President - Colette Neron
Second Vice President - Mary Helen Montgomery
Secretary - Melody Moore
Treasurer - Matthew Larson

Wendy Cichanski Altobell
Colleen DeGroat
Taunja Gainsforth
Scott Hofer
K im Hoff
Jan Hovda
Jim Kostreba
Malvina McLaird
Camie Prom
Erina Waring

Executive Director - Vicki Davis, CAWA

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