OPERATING COSTS

Did you know it costs $108,000 annually ($9,000 monthly) to keep the doors of Paws Animal Rescue open? This number includes only the basics, such as: cat/dog food, liter, initial vet exam, vaccinations, spay or neuter, treatment/surgery for various injuries, treatment/medication for various diseases and/or necessary dental surgery/cleaning, plus heating/cooling, phone, taxes and insurance, and miscellaneous expenses.

CAREGIVERS

The shelter does employ two part-time care givers during the week, plus has the additional expense of paying weekend morning help of three inmates from the Women’s Prison, including transportation of the inmates by River Cities Transit. Volunteers fill 20 shifts per week in the dog kennel area, while other volunteers fill 15 shifts in the feline area. This cost does not include necessary building repairs, renovations or capital assets. These funds are generated solely by donations and a few grants.

SPAY/NEUTER CERTIFICATES

We do offer a reduced cost spay/neuter program to residents of Pierre/Ft. Pierre and Hughes/Stanley Counties. These certificates allow residents to spay/neuter their animals for half the normal cost, with the shelter paying the remainder of the cost.

FUNDRAISERS

We are constantly on the move and hustling. The shelter conducts several events a year to help raise operating funds. Examples of 2016 fundraising efforts include but are not limited to:

• February: KCCR Farm & Home Show
• March: Souper Supper
• April: Online Auction
• April: Color Run
• April: Hot Dog Feed
• May: Cinco De Mayo dinner
• July: Bake Sale Northridge Plaza Crazy Days
• July: Bussed tables at Gator’s
• August: Pancake Fee
• August: Woof Beer Floats Downtown Crazy Day’s
• September: First United Methodist Church Blessing of the Animals
• September: Turkey Dinner
• October: East Pierre Garden Center Fall Festival
• October: Bussed tables at Gator’s
• November: Spay-ghetti and No Balls Supper
• November: Zonta Craft Fair
• December: Northridge Plaza Bake Sale

MEMBERSHIP

We had a membership drive which increased our membership 26%. We had a total of 73 members and increased it to 92. We have 79 annual renewal members and 13 lifetime members = 92 total members.

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Catio Fundraiser and Construction Of
• Bulletin Board with Glass Doors
• Locked Clear Acrylic Donation Box Wall Mounted
• Dry Erase Board Used By Kennel Employee
• Vinyl Lettering On Front Door Donated by Local Business
• General Meeting and Board Meeting Dates Posted
• Adoption Fees Posted
• One Adoption Application for Both Dogs And Cats
• Photo Albums of All Available Pets; One for Cats and One For Dogs
• Grant from Community Foundation
• “Your Child’s Dog” How to Help Your Kids Care for Their Pets Books, Donated
• Emergency Management Evacuation Plan Revisited
• Fire Chief Walk Through – All Suggested Items Were Donated And Put In Place
• Web Site Totally Redesigned and Implemented
• Constant Presence on Facebook
• Purchased Smaller Fold Down Tables for Events
• Implemented Programs at General Membership Meetings
• Secured 2017 Funding from City of Pierre ($3,000)
• Painting of Conference Room and Two Lobby Area Walls, Paint and Labor Donated
• Received Donated Art Work in Conference Room, Lobby Area, and Hallway
• Hand Sanitizer Station in Lobby Area
• Wooden Storage Shed Paid for by Donations
• Exhaust Fan Installed in Grooming Room Fan and Wiring Donated by Two Pierre Contractors
• Received Maddie’s Fund Grant ($1,000)
• New T-Shirts Were Designed and Purchased for Resale Along with Calendars, Aprons, and Note Cards

WRAPPING-UP

I know there are things I have missed. Everyone should be VERY proud of what has been accomplished. Thank you to the past Board of Directors who made the building a reality. Thank you to the current Board of Directors, Employees, Volunteers, Donators, the Community, and the Public for continuing to make Paws Animal Rescue bigger and better each year! None of this could be achieved without each and every one of you. We are so fortunate and blessed to live in such a caring and compassionate community. Fortunate too that there is a deep understanding of and commitment to the work of ending the plight of homeless cats and dogs by giving them a safe/secure place to stay, medical treatment, vaccinations, spaying/ neutering, and placing them in a loving forever home. THANK YOU!

President Brenda Manning & Board of Directors