24/08/2024
🚨 A Personal Message From our President/CEO 🚨
Dear Friends,
Within our four walls, animals continue to decline mentally, emotionally, and physically--and only you can change that. The stress, loneliness, and lack of stimulation have taken a serious toll on the mental health of a record, 600+ animals in our care, as well as the staff and volunteers who are living a nightmare as they watch these once happy dogs plunge into depression.
HSHC fully embraces a no-kill philosophy that gives every adoptable animal in our care a chance to live, love, and be loved. We have managed to sustain this even through the unrelenting, capacity crisis going on 2 years now. Our team is running out of emotional steam, and these animals are running out of time.
You see, I believe there is a misperception that because HSHC embraces a no-kill philosophy, there is less urgency in adopting, specifically dogs, from our organization. People see our beautiful building and assume because all of these animals are now safe at HSHC, they will be okay.
I need you to know that they are NOT okay. And, for the first time in well over a decade, we have had to euthanize once adoptable dogs--who after months of waiting for someone to come--mentally and physically declined to the point that the only humane thing to do was give them peace.
Below, we have featured dogs who may be weeks, or even days, from the same fate.
Our purpose is to provide sanctuary to abandoned, unwanted, and displaced animals. Our purpose is to save animals from their abusers and provide life-saving care to thousands more each year. We serve as their voice and fiercely advocate for their well-being. Our team raises the funds, provides the daily care, and creatively promotes and markets these animals every day. Our team has given more of themselves than anyone should ever be asked to keep these animals alive. We have done our part.
And now, I am imploring our supporters and the Hamilton County community to rally behind their shelter by adopting a dog (or cat), so a cage isn't where their stories end.
Clear The Shelters Adoption Event is this Saturday from 12-5pm. In place of our usual adoption fees, adult dogs and cats are only $10*, and kittens are just $50. All adoptions include a free one-month supply of preventatives, spay/neuter, microchip, age-appropriate vaccines, a starter bag of food, and wellness exam at a participating veterinarian. Plus, the first 50 families who walk through the door will receive a free goodie bag.
In closing, I'll share a quote from one of my favorite songs by Oleta Adams. I tear up whenever I hear it as I imagine these animals would be saying the same thing if they could. I imagine the ones we've lost saying it to the very end. "I don't care how you get here, just get here if you can."
Please don't wait,
Rebecca Stevens
President & CEO