Animal Care Sanctuary Newsletter - Winter 2011

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In the summer of 2010, Joan Smith-Reese, Executive Director, announced the initiation of a strategic planning process. This process, which has solicited the active involvement of the entire Animal Care Sanctuary community, has resulted in a strategic plan for 2011-2014.In the midst of identifying what needed to be done, we turned to Carol Koenecke-Grant, Executive Vice President of Strategic Planning and Implementation at Guthrie Health, to help us understand the process. The Board of Directors, Administrative and Caregiving Staff and Volunteers met many times throughout the summer and fall. It was important to get everyone’s input on the direction Animal Care Sanctuary should take. We now want to share with you our final draft of our mission statement, vision statement, core value statements and features of our strategic plan.

» IN THIS ISSUE

Looking Forward / 1Financial Freedom / 2

Enhanced Facilities / 3ACS as Community Resource / 4

Increasing Adoptions / 6Enhancing our Image / 7National Recognition / 7

ACS Mutt Strut / 8

P. O. Box A • East Smithfield, PA, 18817 • (570) 596-2200 • www.animalcaresanctuary.org

Animal CareS A N C T U A R Y

WINTER 2011 NEWSLETTER

2. Our commitment to financial stability allows us to provide the best medical, emotional and physical care in a professional, well maintained natural environment.3. We judge our success by the extent to which animals’ lives are saved and improved, and by the positive experiences of the people we touch.(continued on page 2)

Mission StatementAnimal Care Sanctuary is a dedicated, nurturing stepping stone for animals of all kinds.

Vision StatementAnimal Care Sanctuary will be a center of excellence and leader for all animal services.

Core Values1. We have compassion and respect for all living creatures.

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charting a course for theLooking Forward

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facilities

Rachelle Shaffer, left, with Sasha and Alaire Smith-Miller with Marsha.

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Animal Care Sanctuary is proud to announce the opening of our onsite veterinary clinic. Alaire Smith-Miller, DVM and Rachelle Shaffer, veterinary technician have joined our team of employees to promote the health and well being of the sanctuary animals. Dr. Miller is a graduate of Penn State and received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with honors from Michigan State University. Along with working various veterinary clinics she also had her own practice at Minnequa Veterinary Cottage in Canton, PA. Ms. Shaffer is a Licensed Veterinary Technician receiving her undergraduate degree at Johnson College. She completed additional training in dentistry at the Animal Dental Training Center. She brings ten years of experience working as Head Technician for Laurel Hill Veterinary Service. ACS is excited to have Dr. Miller & Ms. Shaffer who bring not only their skills and experience, but their philosophy of care to all those they provide veterinary services. This team will be excellent mentors for our staff and allows us the ability to have our animals cared for on premise every day. The sanctuary has been working diligently to con-struct a pharmacy, laboratory, surgical area and exam rooms so that most of the care can be rendered, including spay and neuter-

ing, and most minor surgeries. The onsite veterinary clinic will allow us to more effi-ciently and effectively care for the sanctuary animals. The medical team has been orchestrating the set-up of all of these services by ordering the equipment, learning Pet Point medical software, and setting up the pharmacy over the last few months. They began spaying and neutering cats in early December and dogs in mid-January. This allows us to further promote our philosophy of having all animals spayed and neutered to prevent over population. Each animal being adopted from ACS will be spayed or neutered prior to going to their adoptive families.

Grants are being written to assist with the cost of the medical equipment, medications and supplies. However, there is still a sizable wish list which includes: storage cupboards and containers; a refrigerator to store medications and vaccines; a microscope; a desk and chair for the veterinarian; a high speed color printer; book shelves; and monetary donations for laboratory, dental and X-ray equipment. If you would like to make a contribution, please send your check or donate online with “vet clinic” in the note. ■

Enhanced

Looking ForwardThe key indicators for our strategic plan are: Financial Freedom, Enhancing our Facilities, Enhancing our Image, Increasing Adoptions, Being a Resource for the Community, and Earning National Recognition. Each of these indicators has objectives, tactics, timelines, leaders, and budgets. All six of these key indicators will be highlighted throughout the newsletter.It is fitting that we engage in a thoughtful, transparent and forward looking process to create a center of excellence for the care and welfare of a diverse range of animals, primarily cats and dogs. We must be positioned to meet the challenges ahead. These are exciting times for Animal Care Sanctuary. ■

Continued from page 1 strategic plan

acilitiesFPreserving Leslie Sinclair’s legacy is our biggest challenge at Animal Care Sanctuary. We are funded 100% by private donations, grants, estates and trusts.

As our donors, you are spread throughout the country and yet we feel a strong relationship with you because of our mutual connection of loving animals. It is your commitment to our mission that has sustained us as we care for over 700 animals every day.

Looking forward at all we can and must do to render the best care, we want to include you because you create our future with your gifts.

Soon after Leslie bought the property at East Smithfield she built the facilities that are still here today. These structures are now requiring extensive renovation and reformation to meet the needs of tomorrow. Our cattery floor and subfloor need replaced, we need an isolation room and sick bay for our cats.

The kennel requires new inside walls and we are sectioning off an area for small and senior dogs to be in a more homelike and quiet environment.

So we are thinking ahead, preparing, calculating in order to answer the question “How do we get from here to there?” Optimistic Energy like Leslie had is a good start. As we focused on our strategic plan we kept repeating that few other endeavors in life offer such rewards as caring for animals. As we begin to launch a capital campaign for the brick and mortar work, we want to thank you for your genuine acts of generosity and knowledge that your gifts will live on after us, leaving a legacy, as Leslie did, that will be a lasting tribute to the animals. ■

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Munch, expressing his enthusiasm for the new facilities.

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friends, or counted the collected “cash for cats and dimes for dogs.” The twelfth day of Christmas was a special one. Remus, a border collie from ACS and his human helper, Rachel Higham came to talk to the students about taking care of pets, the responsibility involved in adopting a pet, animal safety, and how to train a dog to walk appropriately on a leash. The students had an opportunity to ask questions about ACS as well as other animal related questions. The most enjoyable part of the program, however, was when each student had a turn to pet Remus. This was Remus’ chance to share his appreciation for the student’s work in collecting $143.78 in cash and numerous boxes filled with animal treats and food. In March, ACS will be branching out to New York state when we visit the Waverly High School’s Animal Care Club. ACS looks forward to increased involvement with local schools, while becoming an established resource for the community in animal services. ■

Animal Care’s Rachel Higham, Remus, and a second-grader from Mosherville School.

Lynch-Bustin third-graders and Koda Bear.

ACS as a

Part of being a resource for the community will involve establishing partnerships with local schools. In the coming year ACS will be developing a variety of curriculums for all age groups of students. Some examples of curriculums that are in process for elementary level are dog safety and companion animal care. We have begun this adventure by attending two local schools recently. In November, four students, Maisie Carroll, Lily Kinsman, Denver Hatch, and Brady Smith, from Barb Carl’s third grade class at Lynch-Bustin elementary initiated a school wide challenge to benefit the animals at ACS. This was driven by reading Caroline’s Treat by Dixie Lee Petroxis which defines the characters plight in learning that an animal sanctuary was closing due to lack of funds. Lily Kinsman stated that “After I read it, I felt I had to do something.” The students recognized that they could help a local sanctuary and contacted ACS. Prior to the fundraising event, students met with ACS’ Community Liaison, Rachel Higham who discussed the mission of the sanctuary and offered ideas and tips for their upcoming drive. The students didn’t need too much insight as they had a clear idea of their plan. The four students drafted flyers that were sent home with each student describing the collection competition and what items were needed. ACS provided collection boxes for each classroom and the weeklong competition began. The students were challenged to see which class could bring in the most money and collect the largest number of supplies. The winning class would be awarded a cookie party. The students raised $300 and collected over 200 items. To personally thank the four students and Ms. Carl’s class, Koda Bear, a black Labrador retriever mix and Rachel Higham from ACS attended the school at the end of the collection week. They all got their pictures taken and interviewed for the local newspapers. Our second adventure was to Mosherville Elementary who celebrated the “Twelve Dogs of Christmas” in the final twelve days before the holiday vacation. Each day an animal related activity was weaved into the student’s curriculum. For example, the students checked out a dog related book from the library, wrote letters to their ACS animal

outreach

C o m m u n i t yResource

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programs

Our first year of adoptions was a great success with 200 dogs and 50 cats finding loving homes. We would like to increase adoptions to 300 this year. ACS isn’t concerned with meeting a quota, it is simply a goal. Reaching this goal would allow us to get very deserving animals into forever homes. This would allow us to help other animals in need. To reach this goal we are starting from the inside out! We are excited to have brought on staff dog trainer, JoAnn Shaffer. She will be an excellent resource and asset in increasing our adoptions. JoAnn has begun teaching some of our dogs basic obedience, such as sit and leash manners. She will also work with our staff to incorporate obedience training in their daily routine. ACS will also begin formally temperament testing all animals to determine what type of home setting would be best. The next step is the adoption process. We ask potential adopters many questions: Do you have current pets, do you have a veterinarian, where will you keep your pet, who is living in your home? We may even check out the adopter’s house. Often times this feels a bit too personal or , like you’re on the hot seat. We don’t mean for it to! We just take very good care of our animals and want to ensure that they go to good homes. The ACS animals often come from very

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Board of Directors

Carrie CarrollChairperson

Rob RedmanVice Chairperson

Eric Chase Treasurer

Jacqueline GreulichBoard Member

Sherry SevierBoard Member

Executive Staff

Joan Smith-ReeseExecutive Director

Rachel HighamCommunity Liaison

Contact

[email protected](570) 596-2200

Animal Care Sanctuary is a dedicated, nurtur-ing stepping stone for animals of all kinds.

ACS is a non-profit animal shelter located in northeast Pennsylvania. We strive to provide nuturing, healthy homes to cats, dogs, and other animals who are abandoned or abused. We rehabilitate as many of these animals as possible in order to place them into permanent homes. Those that cannot be adopted remain in our care.

As we coordinate all of the first six goals, the last one, National Recognition, will come in stages. We are a resource for the community, enhancing our image, increasing our adoptions, enhancing our facilities, and financially responsible and sound. Our story will continue to unfold at the regional level as we work with other shelters and rescue groups to educate on issues such as spay and neuter. Our recognition will continue at the state level as we attend PA Lobby Day and talk to our legislators about animal issues in our region and state. And our national presence will be noticed when we attend the Humane Society’s National Conference in Washington DC in July both as a vendor and a voice again to our representatives in our nation’s capital. The most important national recognition is you, our donors, followers, adopters and supporters. You contact us from all over the country and your generosity and interest is what keeps us going when times are difficult. You are the national recognition we really appreciate. ■

NationalRecognition

visibility

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negative situations, but some just didn’t fit into their old homes. We’re asking the questions because we care, about the pet and you. We’re trying to make matches that last a lifetime. Once the adopter is approved, now it’s time to get Patch or Oreo ready for their new home with a pre-adoption veterinary exam. Then, they may find themselves off to our volunteer groomer, Sandy Mack for a day at A Touch of Class Grooming. If the dogs prefer an in house shampoo, our kennel supervisor assistant, Carrie Young, performs grooming onsite. Now, with a clean bill of health, current vaccinations, and a fresh and clean new hair-do they’re ready for their new home. If an adopter ever finds that it’s just not working out with the animal they chose, we make every effort to help solve the problem. If the problem can’t be resolved, the adoption agreement requires that the adopter return the animal to ACS. This way we can ensure that the animal has a chance of finding their forever home. Once the animal is in the home ACS would like to further encourage the canine-human bonding by offering obedience classes. This is the goal for the very near future. ■

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Romeo, one of our adoptees, lookng forward to his new home.

Triumph in his new backyard.

Although we have been model stewards of our animals and property, many in our community did not know who Animal Care Sanctuary was or what we did. In the spring of 2010 we began attending many community events, such as county fairs, art and craft shows, festivals, etc. We invited up community groups, clubs and schools to take tours of our facilities and look at our cats, dogs, pigs, and horses. We joined the Chamber of Commerce and began introducing ourselves to the business leaders.We have formed a relationship with Cornell’s Shelter Management Program and they have been here three times, with Dec. 20th being the most recent, to give us guidance and recommendations as we look forward to taking on a more regional role of being an educational center for pet companion animals.Our role in this region is vital to our sustained growth if we are to be a resource and ambassador for animals. Our vision to be a center of excellence includes for example, pre and post adoption classes, to agility, obedience and behavioral training. Our vision also includes veterinarian students and humane leadership students to come and live on site in one of the mobile homes and work side by side with our veterinarian and animal care staff to get hands on experience and training. But in order to gain the community’s trust, they must know who we are and what our mission and vision is for all of the animals that pass through the sanctuary or, in some cases, stay with us for life. That is why it is so important to continue telling our story to as many people as we can reach. If we can help teach the importance of spay/neuter to help reduce the unwanted litters of kittens every spring, if we can help train families on how to work with their newly adopted puppy, if we can show love and compassion to the senior dog that we cannot get adopted, and if we can change a cat or dog’s behavior to make them more adoptable, then we will have begun to fulfill our goal of enhancing our image to all that we serve. ■

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The layout and logo designs for this newsletter were donated by Randy Heffernan. The copy and remaining photos were provided by Animal Care Sanctuary. The printing was done by USA Printing Online at a significant discount. For more information about Randy Heffernan’s design services, contact [email protected] or (607) 227-6160. ■

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

ourEnhancing

Our booth at the 2010 Apple and Cheese Festival in Troy, PA.

IAI

doptions

An ACSriumph!TRocko, renamed Triumph, was adopted in January, 2011 by Robert Barrish and Nacine Supinsky from Wayne, PA. In the words of his new parents, “He was renamed Triumph because the word can be defined as the successful ending to a struggle or contest.Clearly this old boy has seen enough in his life and is deserving of all that we will give to him.” Triumph is a ten year old German shepherd mix who was often overlooked because of his age and a fatty tumor on his side. His joyous personality makes up for any physical flaws. He loves people and wags his tail like a young dog! His new parents describe it as a propeller, constantly in motion when he walks! He arrived at ACS in October, 2009 from the Animal Care & Control of New York City. Thank you Nacine and Robert for making the four hour trip to give this sweet fellow a home with an endless supply of love. ■

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P.O. Box AEast Smithfield, PA 18817

Many thanks to our Mutt Strut corporate sponsor, Hudock Moyer Wealth Management.

fundraiser

Join us for a doggone fun day to raise money for your four legged friends at Animal Care Sanctuary! Events will include: • Dog walk to raise money• Agility demonstration• Food, music, & entertainment• Vendors & rescue groups• Obedience demonstrations• Canine good citizen demonstrationsRegistered walkers will receive: Exclusive event t-shirt, doggie bag, free pet health screening, and prizes for individual and team fundraisers. Gather your friends and walk as a team. Even if you can’t attend, you can register to walk. For more information and to register, contact us: [email protected] or call (570) 596-2200. ■

&1st Annualmutt strut REGISTER TODAY

fun festMay 21, 2011