2014 Annual Report

Helotes Humane Society

OUR MISSION

To promote the benevolent treatment of animals and to provide humane education

OUR VISION

To be the catalyst for humane education and the welfare of companion animals

OUR CORE VALUES

Commit to our mission

Operate with respect, integrity and professionalism

Recognize the contribution of all of our members, donors and volunteers

Educate our community on the humane treatment of animals

Lady: once a stray dog with a litter of puppies,

now a service dog for a disabled veteran.

HHS Alumni

Dear Supporters,

The year 2014 was a good one for the Helotes Humane Society. Our message of kindness towards animals reached

more people than ever before. There were many challenges but we faced them with a spirit of cooperation and a

common goal.

Figures indicate we saw a 19% increase over 2013 in the number of animals taken in by our organization. The large

majority of these were stray dogs and cats. However, there were also a large number of owner surrenders. Helping

people keep pets in their own homes is one of our goals. Through counseling them, we can often find out the root

of problems they may be having and suggest alternatives to surrender. However, a change in finances or health

issues can sometimes force someone to give up a beloved pet.

Our adoption rate was up by 14% over 2013. This was the result of a wonderful group of people we call our foster

families. These unselfish people take in neglected, abused and malnourished animals and give them a ‘do-over’.

Through patience, structure and lots of T.L.C. they bring them back. Soon they are ready for adoption into perma-

nent homes.

Our Second Chances Thrift Shop continued to be a wonderful source of funding for our mission. Shoppers delight

in the great bargains they find, especially knowing that their purchases go to help our animals.

Our feral cat program, funded by a grant from The Petsmart Foundation, provided free spay and neuter services

for 190 cats. Think about how many unwanted litters that prevented! We implemented our free microchip pro-

gram through funds provided by a grant from the San Antonio Area Foundation. A large part of reducing the eu-

thanasia rate is keeping animals out of shelters in the first place. With the use of microchips, lost animals can find

their way home much sooner.

As always, any successes that we have are directly attributable to our wonderful supporters, donors, members and

volunteers. The Helotes Humane Society is all of us, working together to ‘promote the benevolent treatment of

animals and to provide humane education’. Special thanks to our Board of Directors who work tirelessly to keep

our paths straight and our goals clear.

Sincerely,

Janice Y. MacRossin Executive Director

Public Support

Program Services

Thrift Store Sales

Other

2014 Income

Total Income: $196,110.74

2014 Expenses

Total Expenses: $179,768.83

A few of the animals

saved in 2014

Owner / GuardianSurrender

Return

Stray

Transfer In

Adoption

Died

Euthanasia

Return toOwner/Guardian

Transfer Out

Animal Intake

Owner / Guardian Surrender 96

Return 39

Stray 287

Transfer In 85

Animal Outcome

Adoption 468

Died 14

Euthanasia 9

Return to Owner/Guardian 7

Transfer Out 4

The Helotes Humane Society never euthanizes an animal to make space. Although euthanasia is the final act of kindness that we

can show a critically ill, seriously injured or dangerous animal, it is viewed as an alternative only after careful consideration, and

always as a last resort.

The idea behind the Second Chances Thrift Shop has always been to enable the Helotes Hu-

mane Society to have some semblance of self sufficiency. We started small and quickly out-

grew our first location. When the old “Boxcar” property at 14398 Bandera Rd. became availa-

ble, we jumped at the chance to move there. This quaint old dairy farm built in the 1930’s and

relocated to Helotes is now our storefront. Not only is it used for the Thrift Shop, but also as

an office, a small clinic area, kennel space for a few dogs, and our dog park.

We’ve been happy in this location and grateful to the many people who have ventured off the

beaten path to find us. We love our ‘regular’ shoppers and donors!

If you stop in, not only will you find a bargain, but you will often see some of our foster ani-

mals and volunteers. It is truly the hub of activity for our organization.

Please stop in and visit us. We know you’ll be delighted with what you discover!

Second Chances Thrift Shop

14398 Bandera Rd.

Helotes, TX 78023

Ph. 210-372-1255

Open Thurs, Fri & Sat.

10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Find us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/Helotes Humane Society

Follow us on Twitter! https://twitter.com/HHSanimals

We’re on the Web! http://www.hhsanimals.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014

President : Sue St. Cyr

Vice President: Christine Boulware

Secretary: Elise Howell

Treasurer: Terry Christie

Lay Member: Cathron Sterling

Lay Member: Heidi Bowers

Lay Member: James Lee