Lasting Friendships. Now at the Dutchess County SPCA Dutchess County SPCA Wags and Purrs Annual Report 2014-2015

Lasting Friendships. Now at the Dutchess County SPCA

Dutchess County SPCA

Wags and Purrs Annual Report 2014-2015

Table of Contents

President’s Report 2-3

Executive Director’s Report 4-8

Minutes of the 2013-2014 Annual Meeting 9

Finance Committee Report 10

Nominating Committee Report 11

Management Team12

Atticus, Mozart and Beethoven13

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! 14-15


President’s Report

Dear Friends:

I hope you enjoy reading our Wags and Purrs Annual Report. Dogs wag and cats purr when they want to say “thank you.” The annual report is our way of sharing the many things for which we are thankful. You, and all the friends of the animals, have helped us accomplish historic changes over the past year. Here is a partial list of why we are grateful to you:• The ribbon cutting for the new Adoption and Education Center took place on Nov. 14, 2014. We were surrounded by hundreds of friends who care about our animals, and we have enjoyed sharing the building with many more friends each day since opening.• The new shelter was designed to meet the needs of our animals while they are with us and we are proud to see that it lives up to its potential. When you visit, you will see for yourselves what a difference the building has made. Peek in a window and you will see happy animals playing with their toys, napping or getting ready to meet the next visitor. This is their way of telling us that they do not feel the stress of a typical shelter. Similarly, every day our visitors tell us

Continued

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Adoption and Education Center

President’s Report continued

how much they enjoy seeing the animals in such a wonderful space. Most importantly, our animals are finding their forever homes more quickly, as the building helps to foster our ability to match them with their loving families. • Our financial condition continues to be stable. With the successful completion of the new Adoption and Education Center, we are looking towards the future to finalize plans for the renovation of our original building that functions as our intake and medical center. The state of this building is such that we cannot delay our efforts. Our challenge as a board, and as a community, is to continue to raise the funds needed to complete this second phase of our Master Site Plan. • We have revised and updated our agency bylaws with a focus on a more progressive and innovative structure that allows our board and agency to be more efficient in meeting our daily mission. • You continue to support us to do the life-saving work we do. Whether it be rescuing animals in the community; protecting them from cruelty, abuse and neglect; providing medical care; or giving them a chance to have a lasting love, you are with us every step of the way. We never forget that you are the ones making it possible.

On behalf of all the animals in our care, thank you for your continued support for the DCSPCA. Sincerely,Ron M. LaneBoard President

Ron Lane at home with his three dogs (from left to right) Annie, Piper and Mallory.

Executive Director’s Report

Jackie Rose with her dogs Jackson and River. Jackie

adopted her newest dog, Bailey from the DCSPCA on New Year’s

Day.

This year began a new chapter in the long history of the Dutchess County SPCA. Chiefly, we opened the new Adoption and Education Center, re-branded ourselves and have made a concerted effort to improve customer service for both our two-legged and the four-legged customers. We improved our processes so that animals move more quickly from intake to adoption. Our goal is to reduce the average length of stay for animals in our care while still maintaining or increasing our ability to accept and care for the most vulnerable animals – those who cannot move quickly through our systems because of extraordinary needs for medical care or training and socialization. Behind the scenes no detail was too small for us to tweak in our quest to use our resources wisely for the benefit of the animals who depend on us. We may look different but our commitment to homeless animals remains as strong as it has been throughout our 144 years serving Dutchess County.

Here are the highlights of the past year.

• We continue to improve internal systems for better, more transparent financial reporting, tracking of program data and improved adoption match-making.

• We joined forces to become a model shelter. Animal Farm Foundation has been working nationally to secure equal treatment and opportunity for “pit bull” dogs since 1985. Their programs and services include an animal shelter, free internships for animal welfare professionals, educational resources, and grant opportunities. They sought a shelter partner as they expand their mission beyond a single breed or species. Members of their staff work alongside ours helping to care for our animals and now helping to change the public’s perception of shelter animals.

Executive Director’s Report continued

Spunkster was found when he was two weeks old, with open wounds. He received top-notch

care and a lot of TLC , which helped him to survive. He was adopted soon after graduating

out of foster care.

• We made staffing changes to meet the challenges of our growing operations. One of the most rewarding changes was re-uniting our administrative and animal services staff under the same roof.

Other accomplishments in Calendar Year 2014

• Animals Admitted to the Shelter: 1,236• Adoptions: 1,027 animals• Humane Law Enforcement: logged 1,911 complaints and rescued 112 animals from dangerous and neglectful homes• Lost Animals Reunited with their Families: 146 animals• Community Education: 95 people• Spay/Neuter Surgeries: 1,852 cats and dogs - this figure includes 482 feral cats• Vaccinations: 2,685 animals (838 dogs and 1,847 cats) Angelica was a stray with a rare,

uncomfortable eye condition. We provided surgery and today she leads a

happy life with her loving family.


Tigress came in with a severely damaged eye. Our medical-

miracle team helped her heal without needing surgery.

• Our volunteer team remains at the heart of our organization. Not a day goes by that volunteers are not on the property helping to exercise and train dogs or socialize cats. Volunteers assist staff with adoption, education, community events, fundraising, marketing, and hundreds of other tasks large and small. Although we can never thank them enough, we hope you will watch for signs in the lobby announcing our Volunteer of the Month and Volunteer of the Year award winners.

• Jacquie Cookingham earned our very first Volunteer of the Year award. Jacquie deserved this award for her decades of service, her willingness to take on so many roles here over the years and her unwavering support of the animals and the people who care for them. Jacquie can be seen washing food bowls, organizing donated towels and knitting blankets for the cats while sitting with them in one of the community rooms. When we have evening events you can find her hosting a table of staff and volunteers. She never misses a chance to make people and animals feel like a part of a large, loving family.

Jacquie Cookingham, winner of the 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award


Gizmo started his journey towards a better life when a

Poughkeepsie woman captured his owner beating him in a park and contacted police. Following a lengthy

investigation the owner was located, charged with a crime and required to

surrender Gizmo. We took great care to ensure Gizmo was adopted into a loving

home.

• As part of our commitment to community education, we hosted three collaborative training sessions inside the new Adoption and Education Center. Our partners included PANT, TD Bank and Lucky Orphans Horse Rescue. The latter session featured Patches the pony who helped demonstrate acceptable versus abusive and neglectful equine care. We look forward to offering many more such collaborative educational programs.

• This year we added a free pet loss grief support group. The monthly sessions are led by a licensed mental health counselor and are designed to support people through a recent pet loss.


• The Low-Cost Medical Clinic continues to make a difference in people’s lives. As impressive as the clinic’s statistics are, they tell just one facet the story. For example, we vaccinated 2,685 animals last year. Vaccination helps that one animal but it also helps their owner who was struggling to afford basic veterinary care and protects his or her family from costly veterinary bills and undue stress. That owner prevents disease from spreading to other animals and leaves our clinic with the proof they need to license their pet and to obtain services such as boarding or spay/neuter. For those owners having to choose between costly medical care or giving up a beloved pet, our low-cost medical clinic means that family can stay together and continue to experience all the benefits of pet ownership.

• Animal services are human services, too. Services such as our Emergency Pet Food Pantry, and our programs for pets whose owners are staying at Grace Smith House or working with Hospice or Mental Health America directly aid pet owners. But, there is more to it than that. Last year, our services touched the lives of 8,600 people in our community.

When we care for animals, we help each other. We work every day to ensure that responsible pet owners can maintain a life-long relationship with their pet. Thank you for helping to make it possible.

Jackie Rose,Executive Director

The DCSPCA partnered with Lost Paws, Inc. and PetSmart Charities to spay/neuter and vaccinate 187 feral cats from

Wappingers Falls, NY in 2014.

We exceeded our goals for the year and capped off an effort that began five years ago to reach close to 100%

of all feral cats in that community.

Minutes of the 2013-2014 Annual MeetingMay 22, 2014

Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, Poughkeepsie, NY

In attendance: Karen Blonder, Debbi Calabrese, Dr. Steven Crew, Eric Ewing, Clare Graham, De Forest Howland, Bob Kampf, Ron M. Lane, Wayne Mabey, Susan Moore, John Pecchia, June Pierson

Meeting called to order at 6:10 p.m.

Retiring Board Members: A total of five members have completed their terms of service on the Board this year: Karen Blonder, Dr. Steve Crew, Bob Kampf, Susan Moore and June Pierson. E. Ewing individually recognized each person with the presentation of a service plaque and strong words of deep appreciation for their dedication and work on behalf of the DCSPCA and the animals and community it serves.

Executive Director: Eric Ewing introduced Jackie Rose, Executive Director, who thanked the Search Committee and the Board for their support since she came to the agency. She spoke of the DCSPCA as an amazing organization and offered strong, positive recognition and appreciation to the staff and all volunteers, without whom the agency could not exist. She expressed anticipation of the opening of the new building later this year and reviewed some changes that are being made to help assure that the agency is fully prepared to move into this new, exciting operational phase.

Minutes: Eric Ewing called for approval of the minutes from the 2013 Annual Meeting. Ron Lane moved that the minutes be accepted as presented in the Annual Report distributed to everyone present. Bob Kampf seconded the motion. There was no discussion, and the minutes were unanimously approved.

Treasurer’s Report: John Pecchia, Treasurer, referred to the Financial Report contained in the Annual Report. He reported that the organization continues to be financially strong. While noting that the new building will present new financial challenges, it will also present new opportunities which should bode well for the future for the organization. He added a special thanks to Bob Kampf for his remarkable effort and dedication as Chair of the Building Committee.

Nominating Committee Report: On behalf of the Board of Directors, Karen Blonder, Co-Chair of Nominating, presented, for membership approval, the following slate of six nominees for a two year term, 2014-2016: Donna Angiolillo, Jack Fein, Jerry Greenberg, Kim Redl Lawrence, Wayne Mabey and Sharman Riedinger. June Pierson seconded the Board recommendation. E. Ewing asked for any additional nominations from the floor and, there being none, called for a vote. The nominees were unanimously approved. Eric Ewing and Jackie Rose welcomed the new members to the DCSPCA Board of Directors.

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, June Pierson, Secretary

Finance Committee Report

The audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014, were approved by the Board of Directors. The auditors, D’Arcangelo & Co., LLP, expressed an unqualified (“unmodified”) opinion on the financial statements.

For the year ended March 31, 2014, total assets increased $1,031,400 to $7,199,000, primarily due to increase in construction in progress on the Adoption and Education Center Building. Total revenues were $2,015,000 and total expenses were $1,703,600 thereby producing an increase in net assets of $311,400 for the year. Total net assets at year-end totaled $6,197,000, most of which is investment in facilities.

In the current fiscal year, a surplus of approximately $150,000 is anticipated on total revenues of $2,000,000.

At its February meeting, the Board approved an operating budget of $1,800,000 for fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. The majority of our revenues come from contributions, bequests and other fundraising activities.

Respectfully submitted,

John Pecchia, MBA, CPA, CGMATreasurer

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

$3,397,800

$5,853,100 $5,639,900 $5,885,600 $6,197,000

Total Net Assets

Nominating Committee Report

Sheena, the winner of the 2014 Petwalk mascot contest.

Prepared by Donna Angiolillo• Exiting Board Members: Erik Ewing and Anne Dexter• Directors Eligible for Re-Election to an Additional Two-Year Term: Marco Caviglia and Carol Menken• New Director Candidates: Craig Burgess, Patrick Gosselin, and Maureen Kangas

Dutchess County SPCA Management TeamExecutive Director: Jackie Rose, J.D., M.S.

Catherine Forbes, Director of Development

Darleen Gross, Business Manager

PJ Leo, Operations Manager

Kim McNamee, Senior Humane Law Enforcement Officer

Peggy OBrien Jones, Project Specialist

Rebecca Renaud, Executive Assistant

Ashely Reum, Care Coordinator

Sue Stives, Volunteer Manager

Sherry Taylor, Intake/ Medical Services Manager

A colony of feral cats received little care from their overwhelmed owner until our Humane Law

Enforcement team stepped in to help.

Dudley After

Dudley Before

BEFORE and AFTER

Atticus, Mozart and Beethoven were rescued on the same day.

Atticus could barely see or walk when our Humane Law team asked his owner to surrender him. Mozart and Beethoven were tied together and dumped in the Town of Fishkill.

Mozart’s matted fur and long claws caused him to fall over when he walked. Sweet little Beethoven had painful skin infections. The neglect this pair suffered went on for a long time and left lasting scars.

Beethoven

Atticus

Mozart

Atticus

We removed eight of Mozart’s teeth. His fur had grown into his mouth causing them to rot. Even without them, he still has a great

smile. Mozart is doing very well in his new home.

We performed a medical grooming and saw that Atticus was a handsome boy under all that matted fur. He is home with his new family.

Beethoven’s grooming had to be done over several days to allow him time to recover between sessions. He looks great and is happy in his new home.

Beethoven

Mozart

Thank you We could not do it without caring people like you!


Clockwise from left: Fab volunteers Joe and Nancy Jo Cote, A gift from Project Animal Rescue, Troop 10411, Recognizing employees from Adams, Zumbathon at Marist, and Creative fundraisers Davionna and Davin.

Thank you We could not do it without caring people like you!


Documents

Lasting Friendships. Now at the Dutchess County SPCA Dutchess County SPCA Wags and Purrs Annual Report 2014-2015