Your news & updates from
Animal Care Sanctuary
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WE'RE ALMOST THERE!!!
We've already broken our annual adoption record with 989 total adoptions so far, but we want to reach 1,000!
The year 2020 has been one full of milestones, and we can't thank you all enough for your support -- especially during a year that has had as many challenges as this one.
Follow us on social media so you can be amongst the first to know when we reach 1,000 adoptions!
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YEAR-TO-DATE
STATISTICS
As of September 30, 2020:
Adoptions: 989
Fosters: 238
Fosters-to-Adoptions: 110
Spay/neuter surgeries: 2,216
Clinic appointments: 2,589
Total Clinic Visits: 4,805
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A New Chapter Means the End of Another
Joan Smith-Reese to Retire as Chief Executive Officer
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The beginning of a new chapter always means the end of another one.
Such is the case once again. As Animal Care Sanctuary looks forward toward the much-anticipated opening of its new kennel and clinic in early October, this exciting new chapter will be the first one in a decade that will not include Chief Executive Officer – and dear friend – Joan Smith-Reese.
Once the clinic and kennel are open to the public, Smith-Reese will officially hand the keys of the sanctuary to Terri McKendry, who has been the ACS director of development for the past two years.
It would not be an understatement to say Smith-Reese’s leadership at ACS over the past 10 years was nothing short of transformational. She not only departs ACS with a brand-new facility, but also with a record-setting adoption rate.
When Smith-Reese arrived at ACS as Executive Director, the animal care facilities needed repairs and upgrading; there was no community clinic at all; and adoptions were few.
But as many who have worked with Smith-Reese closely over the years, all of whom also had a hand in the transformation of the shelter on the hill, have said, she is a visionary.
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ENDLESS SUPPLY NOW ADOPTING OUT ACS RESCUES! |
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At its grand reopening on Sept. 4, Endless Supply Company in Wysox, Pa. celebrated its transition from selling commercially-raised puppies to only offering rescued shelter dogs and puppies as well as rescued felines for adoption. The dogs and cats will come from Animal Care Sanctuary. Endless Supply Company joins more than 3,000 other pet stores around the country that have signed the Puppy Friendly Pet Stores pledge of the Humane Society of the United States.
In addition to ACS and Endless Supply officials, the event was attended by John Moyer of the Humane Society of the United States, local elected officials, local media representatives and several ACS cats and dogs, one of which was adopted right at the event!
“We are proud and excited to work with a local community partner in Endless Supply Company to find rescued animals loving homes,” said Animal Care Sanctuary CEO Joan Smith-Reese. “We cannot thank (Endless Supply owner) Melissa Vanderpool enough for joining us in standing against puppy mills, and we look forward to growing this partnership for the benefit of both local animals and our local communities.”
Thank you, Endless Supply, and the HSUS for helping make this partnership a reality to benefit rescued cats and dogs!
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After years of planning, fundraising, grant-writing, sweat, tears and community support both near and far, the ACS dream of a new clinic and kennel is finally becoming a reality.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 10, we will officially unveil this new $1.77 million facility to the public with an open house. Thousands of supporters have donated over the years towards this much-needed building, and we are so excited to finally bring it to you.
Read more about our new kennel and clinic here.
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Moving in!
Our veterinarian team has moved into the new clinic and quickly made themselves at home with surgeries and vaccinations!
They celebrated World Rabies Day on Sept. 28 by welcoming walk-in furry patients, and are enjoying the significant advantages the additional space that the new clinic has.
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Get to know ACS!
Jenna Crockett - Cattery Care Manager
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How long have you been a part of ACS? Why did you get involved?
I've been working at ACS afor over a year and a half now and it has been an amazing journey! I have always had an interest in working with animals, especially when I was younger. I was even adamant that I was going to be a veterinarian when I was a little girl. While that may not be the goal anymore, I couldn't help but jump at the opportunity to work with animals and explore a passion of mine!
Are you a dog person or a cat person?
Dogs and cats are both pretty awesome but I'm definitely more of a cat person. I love how diverse- and human- their personalities can be!
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What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is working with my Behavior team to really understand and get to know our cats. Helping them build confidence and making them feel happy while they wait for their new homes is so incredibly rewarding!
Tell us about your pets!
Well, I have 2 lovely cats, Lacey and Maisie (although they have a new nickname everyday) and a sweet older yellow Lab named Abby. I've also got 5 horses who love to play around with Abby!
Sponsor a pet! Tell us about your best friend at ACS and why he/she deserves to be adopted!
I have to gush about Presley! He's such a sweet boy and a total goof! Presley has been at ACS for a few months now, and even a star of a few of our cat cams. He absolutely loves to cuddle and make biscuits all over, no matter where he is. He has a love for masks too, and loves to rub on them whenever we're wearing them.
What do you think ACS needs donated the most?
Presley would definitely say catnip is needed, but any enrichment things are really important for our kiddos. Toys, treat balls, window beds and anything to help keep our feline friends active and happy! Monetary donations also help purchase enrichment items and support ACS!
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SANCTUARY STORIES
Kiwi, Bullitt and Ian
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September was an amazing month for some of our longest ACS stays.
It all started with Bullit. Bullit arrived at ACS as a three-month-old kitten -- in 2009! ACS has seen many changes over the past 11 years, and Bullit was here for all of them. But he had to wait 11 years for his own major change, and a kind woman who was looking for an older kitty only needed a few seconds to decide to make that change!
Bullit has been home for a few weeks now, and absolutely loves his forever home. His patience inspired us to start a new social media campaign, which has already been extremely successful!
We started a Sunday Seniors segment on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Each Sunday, we post a different feline that has been at ACS for a long time, like Kiwi and Ian!
Ian was at ACS off and on for nine years. In his younger days, Ian was quite the frightened feline and eventually even developed arthritis, both of which made it more difficult to find him a home. However, less than a week after he was featured as our Sunday Senior, Ian found a loving family who opened their hearts to him, and now he's happy in his new home!
A week later, Kiwi was featured as our Sunday Senior. Kiwi had been at ACS for 13 years. Though she's a vocal cat, she was not extremely sociable and only wanted attention on her terms, making it difficult to find her a home amongst the typically over 100 cats at ACS daily.
But again, less than a week after being our Sunday Senior Star, Kiwi found her new feline parents, and is finally seeing what a real home is like after 13 years! Kiwi could not be happier in her home, and we could not be happier for her!
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Hiking Trails!
The Wellsboro hiking trails are now open!
We are excited to announce that, thanks to a $5,000 grant from Dominion Energy, our 60-acre Wellsboro location now has hiking trails for you and your doggo!
By becoming a member of our dog park, you're automatically approved to use our hiking trails. Cap off #PATrailsMonth with your pooch and check out the trails, located next to the Sow Flora barn behind the ACS Wellsboro clinic.
We want to thank Terry Mascho of Dominion Energy and Kim Johns from state Rep. Clint Owlett's office for braving the rain to cut the ribbon on the trails. Thank you again for your support!
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Yappy Hour!
Thanks to Tyoga Country Club for working with us after we were forced to delay our Wellsboro Yappy Hour to Sept. 25.
Despite the delay, we still had a good turnout for the event, as the weather was perfect and the fall foliage was beautiful!
And to top it all off, Pete, the canine friend we brought with us to the Yappy Hour, found his forever home less than a week later!
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As a Monthly Donor, you are providing a gift that can be used for animals in their hour of need. Your donation will help ACS rescue pets from overcrowded kill shelters, inhumane conditions, hoarding situations and puppy mills. Your support will help us make more future animal rescues possible, as well as give us the resources we need to provide those animals with the attention and medical care that they need to be adopted. Monthly donations provide security to assure that ACS always has the resources needed to provide for animals at a moment’s notice. To become a monthly donor, please sign up online at www.animalcaresanctuary.org or contact Terry McKendry at tmckendry@animalcaresanctaury.org.
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