Heartfelt Thanks
by Casey Hampf
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair
According to an African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In our Arkansas river valley, it is the community who helps provide the much needed care for the precious companion animals who arrive at the Ark-Valley Humane Society (AVHS).
You, the wonderful humans of our community, go above and beyond to support our shelter. You constantly surpass our expectations with your generosity.
We, the AVHS Board of Directors, extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you.
AVHS just completed the fun Feline and Fido Calendar Contest, hoping to raise $10,000. Thanks to your voting for 45 pet entries, $10,791 was raised. Twelve local businesses contributed by sponsoring the calendar contest. Others donated gifts for the winners’ prizes.
On October 3, AVHS reached out to you to help with the emergency medical expenses for two dogs, Neo and Honey. You replied immediately, surpassing the requested amount, nearly doubling it. As a result, the very best care was given to both animals. Sadly, Neo’s injuries turned out to be too great for him to be saved, but you gave him a fighting chance.
Your generosity brought tears to the eyes of the staff who care so much about our shelter animals. The extra funds will be held and utilized to address future emergent medical cases of animals that arrive into shelter care.
Our August Matching Campaign also raised more than our imaginations ever dreamed. We hoped for $33,400. You donated over $56,000.
You donate in our drop boxes. I found it particularly touching when at a food drive, an elderly gentleman said, “I do not have a dog or a cat, but I really respect what AVHS does for animals.” He emptied his wallet.
Your generous contributions enable AVHS to care for homeless pets in Chaffee County and beyond and support pet-retention services, such as a free community pet food pantry, free behavior intervention training vouchers, and affordable spay/neuter vouchers.
Your giving does not stop with the dollars you donate. You contribute pet food and supplies. When the shelter needs extra help with deep cleaning, repairs, painting, mowing, weeding, clearing out the garage and taking irreparable appliances to the landfill, you are there.
You help with the trap-neuter-release program. This summer a few of you even set humane traps to get a couple of skittish dogs to the shelter for the care they needed.
You volunteer to draw portraits for our Good Pet/Bad Portrait event. You attend and help with our fund-raising events, and local businesses sponsor the events.
You volunteer at the shelter, foster and adopt. You give wonderful animals with so much love to give a second chance.
You are ambassadors for the Ark-Valley Humane Society by posting photos and sharing stories on social media of adoptable pets looking for homes and your adopted pets and the joy they bring to your lives.
You are the caring and generous community who comes together to support the Ark-Valley Humane Society. Please accept the heartfelt thanks of each of us on the Board. We are passionate about AVHS, its animals and the staff who work as a team to love and care for these precious bundles of joy. We see you are passionate, too, and love you for your kindness, generosity and support.
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