Just look at what we have done together! We have made a difference in literally thousands of animal’s lives here in Naples and beyond. Every year we set out help more and more animals and for 2017, we surpassed our goals. A big part of the reason for that success is your commitment to us and the pets we serve. You supported us financially so we never had to question resources, you fostered and volunteered so we knew our pets were in great hands and you told our stories to your friends and families so our reach was wider than ever.
In 2017 you helped 3,513 animals go from high kill shelters, our animal care partners and other places find a spot on a sofa, in a dog bed and with a family full of love. Can you imagine how each of these pets felt their first night in their new home? And as every day passed how much stronger the bond with their family? How they must feel every single day – because you believe like we do – every pet deserves a furever home.
In 2017 – together we spayed and neutered 2,836 pets. Think about that! If every one of those pets had a litter of 4 or 5 puppies or kitties – that’s well over 10,000 more pets who would be waiting in possibly very challenging situations to be rescued. Your support has allowed us to battle the homeless pet population through prevention and adoption and that allows us to put even more resources in the animals in our care!
It also allows us to expand our reach in the community with specialized programs. Programs like the Second Chance Cell Dog Program in partnership with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. This amazing program was created as another way of giving county puppies a second chance at life by pairing them with an inmate who is teaching them basic discipline, pet care, grooming and helping them become the pets they were always meant to be. The incredible added value is the opportunity presented to each inmate. Their time with the pup exposes them to new life skills, responsibility and job skills and they learn about dog training, grooming and veterinary assistant skills that they can take with them when they have served their time
This program is part of a broader effort by CCSO to teach inmates skills which will help reduce recidivism rates. The Cell Dog Program incorporates educational, recovery, and healthy relationship components. Once an inmate is accepted into the program, Humane Society Naples dog trainers teach them how to train puppies in the areas of leash skills, socialization, potty and crate training, basic obedience, grooming, and controlled impulse control. 10 of our dogs went through this program last year – including pups from All Sato Rescue in Puerto Rico!
It is an honor to be able to have our organization and mission work so well with other areas of our community services.
Oh, and let’s not forget we have a brand new Executive Director – Sarah Baeckler Davis! She’s already jumped in with both feet and we are excited to see how she will take the work we’ve done and grow and expand to serve even more pets in our community.
Yes, 2017 was a banner year – despite huge natural disasters that impacted everyone from Texas to Puerto Rico. We can close the books extremely proud of what we have accomplished together. We cannot wait to see what 2018 brings and we hope we can count on you as our partners in making our impact even bigger and broader!
