Mcminn Regional Humane Society

PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS/PROMOTION OF HUMANE ANIMAL WELFARE PRACTICES

THE MRHS SPAY/NEUTER CLINIC CONTINUED ITS CORE WORK OF STERILIZING ALL ADOPTED ANIMALS FROM THE ATHENS ANIMAL SHELTER AS WELL AS OFFERING THESE SERVICES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. MRHS CONTINUED TO OFFER ADOPTION SPECIALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, WHICH INCLUDED SPAYING AND NEUTERING, TO ENCOURAGE AND EDUCATE ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF PET STERILIZATION. THE MRHS CLINIC ALSO EXTENDED ITS SERVICES TO THE CITY SHELTER, AS IT HAS DONE IN THE PAST AS WELL. THESE SERVICES INCLUDED PROVIDING SOME VACCINATIONS PRIOR TO ADOPTION (BORDETELLA VACCINES FOR ALL SHELTER DOGS), FLEA MEDICATIONS FOR ALL SHELTER ANIMALS, AND TREATMENT FOR ALL SICK SHELTER ANIMALS, AT NO CHARGE TO THE CITY. THE CLINIC VETERINARIAN MADE NEARLY DAILY ROUNDS AT THE SHELTER. THE BOARD CONTINUED TO EXPLORE OPTIONS FOR EXPANSION OF OUR FACILITIES TO ASSIST EVEN MORE ANIMALS AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

THE ATHENS ANIMAL SHELTER, MANNED PRIMARILY WITH MRHS VOLUNTEERS, CONTINUED ITS PRIMARY MISSION TO SAVE LIVES THROUGH INCREASED ADOPTIONS AND RESCUES. MRHS ALIGNED WITH ADDITIONAL RESCUE ORGANIZATION PARTNERS TO TRANSPORT BOTH DOGS AND CATS TO OTHER STATES WHERE THEY WERE PLACED IN PERMANENT HOMES. THE INTAKE RATE AT THE SHELTER HAS INCREASED SINCE THE DOWNTURN OF THE PANDEMIC, PRIMARILY DUE TO FINANCIAL MEANS. FOR EXAMPLE, OWNERS HAVE LESS MEANS TO AFFORD SPAYING AND NEUTERING OR TAKE CARE OF THEIR PETS AT ALL. IN TURN THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS RELEASED FROM THE SHELTER DECREASED BUT INCREASED ON A RELATIVE BASIS THROUGH BOTH ADOPTIONS AND RESCUES. THE EUTHANASIA RATE REMAINED VERY LOW AT AROUND 4% OR LESS OF INTAKES. FUNDS CONTINUED TO BE RAISED BY BOTH MRHS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS SPECIFICALLY FOR SHELTER IMPROVEMENTS.

MRHS'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM RETURNED IN A VERY LIMITED BASIS SINCE THE DOWNTURN OF THE PANDEMIC. THE ORGANIZATION CONTINUED OUTREACH AND EDUCATION EFFORTS BY PRESENTING INFORMATION AT COMMUNITY LIBRARIES AND AFTER SCHOOL/YMCA SUMMER PROGRAMS ON A LIMITED BASIS. THEY CONTINUED PROVIDING INFORMATION TO CLINIC AND SHELTER CUSTOMERS REGARDING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES FOR THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THEIR PETS.