Dear Friends,
One of the joys of preparing an annual report is that it gives us the opportunity to look back and be thankful for all that we have accomplished. Our past fiscal year ending July 31, 2007 was filled with opportunities and many challenges. Some of the highlights were:
> Successful operation of a No-Kill sanctuary and activity center providing shelter and veterinary care for over 50 cats and kittens and 50 dogs and puppies at a time. All are spayed and neutered, fully immunized and positive reinforcement trained. Through our careful screening and matching adoption process 31 cats and 103 dogs have been successfully placed into loving homes bringing our total to 16,798 rescued and placed since our founding in 1983. In addition, 8 dogs were returned to owners when rescued as strays.
> ABC’s adoption return rate has held continuously low at 2%. Those returned were justified due to owner passing, illness, moving to nursing home care, or new baby or adult tested with animal dander allergies. It is also heartwarming to note that ABC adopted dogs and cats have never been reported by the ASPCA as abandoned, neglected or subjected to cruel treatment.
> 83 "Special Needs" dogs and cats were rehabilitated physically, emotionally and socially. The risk of euthanasia elsewhere was great. Most of these deserving animals are now in their forever homes. The rest are healthy, happy and looking forward to a new home.
> ABC’s Delta Pet Partner, Pet Assisted Therapy Program trained and registered 52 new teams this year, bringing our total to 264 since we started in 2001. Handlers and their pets are trained to help people of all ages improve their health and quality of life. Those served this year include more than 40,000 seniors, adults, young adults and children in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice care, special needs schools, crisis centers and rehabilitation facilities all over the valley. Some of these animals were adopted through ABC’s sanctuary and other shelters in the valley.
> ABC runs "Paws For Reading" an innovative program using dogs that has proven to help at-risk children learn and become motivated to read. 20 ABC certified teams are working with children at Eagle Ridge School, Excelencia School, and Child Help Families.
> 131 at-risk teens served court ordered community service at ABC’s sanctuary.
> 192 young adults, adults and seniors joined ABC’s volunteer team this past year providing love and one on one attention to each animal at our sanctuary. 38 of these new volunteers are parents enjoying quality time with their children here at ABC. It continues to be a wonderful "family experience."
> ABC’s Continuing Care Program provides for pets should the owner no longer be able to care for a beloved animal. Through this program 9 additional dogs and cats were accepted and helped this year at ABC’s sanctuary.
>ABC's Animal Emergency Services program prevents needless suffering by providing medical treatment at Emergency Veterinary Clinics for any INJURED OR SICK STRAY. This is an alternative to dying curbside. |
