AVHS Compassion For Animals and Humans
by Casey Hampf
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair
Two weeks ago while I was shopping, a young man seeing Ark-Valley Humane Society on my sweatshirt stopped me to say, “I just picked up my 18 year-old Siamese cat’s ashes from AVHS. Losing her was so difficult, and they were so understanding – so kind. Please tell them thank you.”
Helping people in this way when a beloved pet has crossed the Rainbow Bridge is just one way the amazing AVHS staff shows compassion to people as well as animals.
The Mission of the Ark-Valley Humane Society, since its non-profit incorporation in 1999, is “Ensuring the welfare of companion animals through compassion and care.”
Two of the AVHS “Key Values” further emphasize the importance of compassion, stating:
“Compassion for the people and animals we serve” and “Kindness towards people and pets that find themselves in difficult situations.”
Compassion is the very heart of the Ark-Valley Humane Society – not just from our staff, but also from you, our community.
You volunteer, foster, adopt, donate dollars, food and supplies. You participate in our events and comment on our social media posts. Local businesses sponsor our fundraisers and events.
The Ark-Valley Humane Society opened the doors to its first building 30 years ago in 1995 and because of the compassion of a community who truly cares, has helped tens of thousands of animals and an equally significant number of humans.
As of the end of August of this year 1,150 animals have already been helped, and 487 people have utilized the free Pet Food and Limited Supply pantry. Others have benefited from the low-to-no cost Community Assistance Spay/Neuter program and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program, financial assistance vouchers for behavioral modification training, emergency pet bordering, the community pet fund and shelter together program.
Compassion has truly helped provide quality care and well-being for our companion animals and kept pets with their humans.
As Nikki Ritter, the AVHS Executive Director wrote in our fall newsletter, Paw Prints, “From all of us at AVHS, we THANK YOU! We could not do this without you.”
As times are becoming more difficult, more animals and people are going to need this compassion to continue to help provide them the best lives possible.
More than ever we could use donations of cat and dog food to our pet food pantry to enable people to feed the pets they so love.
Foster care is greatly needed, too. Your willingness to temporarily bring a dog or cat into your home to experience the love that builds trust, just might get that pet adopted into a forever home.
Adopting a pet would be the greatest gift of all, not only for the animal but for you, too. October is National Adopt a Dog from a Shelter Month.
Your compassion has helped the Ark-Valley Humane Society fulfill its mission and meet its key values. The continuation of your love will see that AVHS moves forward for another 30 years caring for our animals and people.
Our Contact Information Is:
719-395-2737
Speaking for the AVHS board of directors, thank you and may you have a wonderful season of giving thanks.
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