Dear Friends:
On behalf of the entire Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society family, thank you for the love and support you have extended to our shelter as we navigate our response to COVID-19. (Click
here
for our latest
operational update
.)
As social distancing has become the new norm, I invite you to take advantage of the many ways to stay connected shared in
Critter Chronicles
. Also, I invite you to forward this month's issue to your friends and family members who share your heart for homeless pets and seek ways to get involved as well. Whether you choose to like and share social media posts or make a monetary gift, adopt a homeless pet or donate pet food and supplies, know all of your efforts to support our life-saving mission are valued.
We will overcome this challenge, and our collective effort is the key to doing so. We remain firm in our commitment to our mission, and team members are at the shelter seven days a week to ensure homeless pets receive the care, compassion, and kindness of which they are so deserving.
With gratitude,
April Martinez
Executive Director
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March 2020 Heart Connections
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We've modified our adoption process to protect team members and adopters and practice social distancing--all while making heart connections happen. We're thrilled to share
54
pets were adopted this month! Our thanks to adopters for their flexibility and all of our social media followers for liking and sharing posts featuring pets available for adoption. Check out a few of the happy families below.
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GMHS Modifies Adoption Process in Response to COVID-19
Burton
(above) is among the homeless pets looking to make a heart connection. Can you imagine how big his smile will be when he meets his person?!
To begin the adoption process:
- Visit our Adoption Process webpage or Petfinder to view the homeless pets searching for a heart connection.
- Download and complete the relevant adoption questionnaire available on the Adoption Process webpage. Be sure to list the pet you'd like to meet.
- Email the completed adoption questionnaire to animalplacement@gmhumanesociety.org. Expedite processing by calling your current veterinarian and granting him/her permission to share information about your pets’ records with us.
Once the adoption questionnaire is approved, a team member will contact you to schedule an appointment for a meet and greet, which will take place outdoors. As always, we're committed to making lasting heart connections and seek to pair pets and adopters with a mutual best fit.
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March 2020 Shelter Snapshot
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The generous support of staff, volunteers, and donors enables GMHS to provide daily care, cover special medical needs, foster animals in homes as needed, and arrange transportation to adoption-guaranteed partners. We're also committed to education, outreach, and transparency. Our annual statistics are available on our
website
, and we'd also like to share a monthly snapshot.
March proved to be a super month for adoptions. In addition to the 48 dogs and cats who found their forever homes, one rabbit, two gerbils, and three roosters were adopted. Huge thanks to all of our partners for making ours a life-saving community and ensuring GMHS remains a beacon of hope and safe harbor for homeless pets!
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Would you like to play a role in saving some of the tiniest lives?
Kitten fostering is just the ticket!
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We're excited to introduce you to Highway to Home Coordinator/Assistant Manager
Jessica Outten.
The latest addition to our leadership team, Jessica brings with her a wealth of experience in animal welfare, development, and communications. In 2020 (YTD),
120
pets have found their forever homes through our Highway to Home program, and in her role, Jessica will work to expand the program's reach while also taking on assistant manager duties. Join us in welcoming Jessica to the GMHS team!
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No Barn Needed to Adopt Backyard Buddies
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Beefcake
and
Callie
(above, left to right) are living their best life as Backyard Buddies, and you can make the same true for other cats who prefer a life outdoors.
To adopt one of these fantastic felines, you must:
- Commit to meeting cats' basic needs, including fresh water, consistent food, adequate shelter, and daily monitoring;
- Ensure no one on or near the property uses poison or bait to kill rodents; and
- Provide a secure, quiet place for cats to get acclimated during their first two weeks in a new home.
All Backyard Buddies are altered, current on all vaccinations, including rabies, dewormed, microchipped, and eartipped before adoption. And, as an added bonus, their adoption fees are sponsored!
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Fixin' to Save Modifies Check-in/Check-out Process
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While
Fixin' to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic
continues to honor surgery appointments, the clinic team has modified their operations to offer curbside check-in/check-out. Not only does this measure promote social distancing, it has also increased efficiency to the benefit of clients and their pets.
Clients exhibiting symptoms of illness are requested to contact the clinic to reschedule their appointments by calling (804) 694-0349.
Stay in touch with the clinic team by visiting them on the
web
and
Facebook
.
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This month,
Lisa Layne
and family visited the shelter and donated nearly 500 pounds of dog and cat food. Their hearts are full with love for rescue pets, and we could not be more appreciative of their gift to the shelter and homeless pets in our care. Thank you for sharing your helping hearts with GMHS!
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It was such a joy to host the
Beulah Baptist Church Youth Group
. They toured the shelter to learn more about our life-saving mission and met some of the amazing homeless pets awaiting adoption into their forever homes. To our friends at Beulah Baptist Church Youth Group, thank you for sharing your time and heart for homeless pets with us!
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In anticipation of his fifth birthday,
Connor
knew what he wanted: donations for GMHS. He and his family stopped by the shelter to present us with a generous donation of dog and cat food, pet treats, and cleaning products. Join us in wishing Connor a happy birthday and thanking him for being super hero for homeless pets!
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Let's hear it for
Jackson
, who has a huge heart for homeless pets and chose to share it with GMHS! He devoted one month to collecting monetary and pet food/supply donations. He worked diligently to share his fundraising efforts with folks and inspired them to donate big to save lives. Jackson, thank you for being a superhero for pets in need! We are proud to count you as a friend of the shelter and thank you for your initiative and generosity.
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Become a Life-saving Partner
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Join the ranks of GMHS' life-saving partners with a tax-deductible gift to the shelter. Your support ensures we are able to provide homeless pets with everything needed to be healthy and happy while awaiting adoption into their forever homes.
Your contribution will save and transform the lives of homeless pets in need of kindness, care, and compassion. Thank you for choosing to share your heart for homeless pets with our beloved shelter!
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Like and follow GMHS on social media!
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