Dear Friends:
To put it simply, we miss you!
Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society is usually such a bustling place, and seeing so few of our friends due to social distancing is strange. We want you to know we continue to be here for homeless pets and our community. We continue to be here for
you
.
We're creatively working to ensure nothing but the highest standard of care is provided at GMHS and the Gloucester County Animal Control Shelter. If you haven't already, check our the latest issue of
Critter Chronicles
to learn more about the measures we're taking as well as the latest shelter happenings, including the 54 heart connections made during March.
We'd also like to extend an incredibly heartfelt thank you to those who have asked, "How can we help?" You've made pet food, supply, and monetary donations and offered encouragement to buoy our spirits. Our hearts are full.
If you'd like to join friends of GMHS in saving and transforming the lives of homeless pets, you'll be excited to know as
part of the Federal Coronavirus Relief Bill (CARES Act), donations of up to $300 per person ($600 per couple) made in 2020 will be
above-the-line tax deductions
and will not require you to itemize.
Tax-deductible gifts to GMHS may be made safely and electronically by clicking
here
. They may also be mailed to the shelter at P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, VA 23061.
To all of you, we're grateful and thank you for looking out for us and our precious charges during this time!
We remain closed to shelter visitors and are tentatively scheduled to reopen June 11, 2020, at 11 AM. During this time, we're operating with essential personnel while practicing social distancing to protect team members and clients.
Keeping you informed is important to us, and below is our latest operational update:
Adoptions
With the expected increase in COVID-19 cases in Virginia during the next two to three weeks, adoptions are temporarily paused to further protect our team members and clients. Completed adoption
questionnaires
may continue to be submitted via
email
and will be processed. We intend to resume the scheduling of adoption appointments May 1. In the meantime, our adoption team is using this time to offer additional enrichment for the pets in our care (like Bandit, pictured at top) and strictly adhere to our enhanced daily and deep cleaning practices.
Intake/Lost Pets
Intakes will continue to be scheduled by appointment in keeping with our standard, longstanding managed intake practice and to honor our municipal contracts. To inquire about surrendering or reclaiming a lost pet, call (804) 693-5520 ext. 308 or email
sheltermanager@gmhumanesociety.org.
Pet Pantry
Pet Pantry clients are asked to visit the Intake entrance
during our standard operating hours,
ring the doorbell, and return to their vehicle. A team member will meet you at your vehicle, verify enrollment in the Pet Pantry, and deliver the food curbside.
Knowing we can count on you as we explore uncharted territory is reassuring. As we see our way through challenging times and do so together, know
you
can count on GMHS as well. Physical distance may separate us, but we're not going let that stand in the way of our collective effort to save even more lives!
With thanks and appreciation,
April Martinez
GMHS Executive Director
P.S. We understand some friends of the shelter may not be on our mailing list. Would you help us spread the word about GMHS by forwarding our updates to those in your network with a heart for homeless pets and encouraging them to like and follow us on social media at @gmhumanesociety?
We want to stay in touch with
all
of you!
