The Windham County Humane Society’s 14th annual Walk for Animals will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, starting and ending at Crowell Park on Western Avenue in Brattleboro.
All of the money raised by the fundraising walk goes directly to support the humane society’s efforts to help lost, homeless and abused animals survive, thrive and find new homes. The goal is to raise $10,000 at this year’s Walk.
Participants in the walk are invited to solicit donations from friends, family members and co-workers in support of their walk. This year the society has set up an online fundraising page at Crowdrise.com, but those who prefer to use a paper form to gather donations can still download one at the society’s website.
Registration for the Walk will begin at 9 a.m., with the walk taking place from 10 to 11 a.m. The route will be from Crowell Park, down Green Street and Elliot Street, up Main Street, and back via High Street. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to join the Walk; the society requests no flexi-leads be used, so as to avoid tangles.
From 11 a.m. to noon, back at Crowell Park, there will be refreshments for all: treats for the dogs and ice cream for the humans. Prizes will be awarded to the top fund raisers, as well, and anyone who raises $50 or more will receive a Walk tee-shirt.
In explaining the need for the humane society to fundraise, executive director Annie Guion cited the increase in activity at the shelter, coupled with a number of new programs.
During the first half of this year, the shelter took in 444 animals, versus 385 last year, and found homes for 420, versus 359 last year. During this period, the average animal spent 18 days at the shelter, which is down from 32 days last year.
Reducing the length of stay is really important, Guion explained, because it means less stress for the animal and less need for rehabilitation. “We do a really good job here, but it’s still not a home. The sooner we can get an animal adopted, the better.”
The organization also takes in animals from “high-kill” shelters, mostly in southern states, where there is usually a surplus of unwanted animals. This year so far, 114 such animals were taken in, versus 82 last year. “That means were saving the lives of animals,” Guion said. “Doing our job well and efficiently gives us the capacity to help animals that are doomed in other parts of the country.”
Another new program is helping low-income pet owners by providing them with basic preventive care at an affordable rate. By doing this, the owners are able to keep their pets rather than having to give them up for adoption. Currently, 265 pet owners are enrolled, who collectively own 325 dogs and 464 cats. This is up from just 72 pet owners in October, 2012.
The Walk has received major sponsorship support from One Stop Country Pet Supply, media sponsorship from the Brattleboro Reformer, the Communicators Group and WKVT, and additional support from White Rose Pet Cemetery, Brattleboro Veterinary Clinic, Leader Home Centers, Beuhler & Annis PLC, and DMI Paving.
For information and registration, or to make a donation in support of the Walk, please visit: www.wchs4pets.org, or www.crowdrise.com/wchswalk.
Nice work
Three cheers for the Windham County Humane Society and all the great work they do to help animals near and far. Cheers also to those who have adopted pets.
Those numbers are very impressive for a small town like ours.