GMHS COVID-19 Response Update
Dear Friends:
I hope this finds each of you doing well! Without a doubt, we have all been working hard and doing our part to stay well and safe. On behalf of the GMHS team, thank you for your efforts and continued support as we see our way through our COVID-19 response and work earnestly to fulfill our life-saving mission.
We are actively monitoring local and regional COVID-19 data, and GMHS continues to limit entry to the shelter to team members performing essential functions. In the weeks to come, we hope to share a plan to resume welcoming walk-in visitors.
We miss seeing each of you and look forward to the day when we can spend time together face-to-face!
In the meantime, GMHS has been able to provide uninterrupted services to pets and people in need. Adoptions continue to be conducted by appointment only, a model which has contributed to a 33 percent decrease in adoption returns. Our Pet Pantry continues to provide pet food to those experiencing financial difficulties, which allows pets to remain with their loving families. And, our
Fixin' to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic continues to provide access to low- and no-cost spay/neuter surgery.
Many of you have reached out, wanting to know how you can assist us during this time, and we thank you for your kindness, consideration, and generosity. You make it possible for us to honor our commitment to help homeless pets. Below are several ways to partner with GMHS to save even more lives:
- Summer is upon us. While this time of year brings warmer weather, it also brings a decrease in donations. To make a tax-deductible contribution and help fund our life-saving mission, click here. Donations may also be mailed to GMHS at P.O. Box 385, Gloucester, VA 23061.
- Shop our Amazon Wish List. Shop AmazonSmile, and Amazon will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases GMHS with no fees or extra cost. If you prefer to shop local, check out the shelter's wish list.
- Like and share our social media posts to spread the word about homeless pets available for adoption and adoption success stories.
- Share your experience rescuing a pet and why you chose to adopt. Let your story inspire others to do the same!
Today and always, thank you sharing with GMHS the gifts of compassion and understanding. We are committed to paying these forward to the people and pets who are counting on us. We will make it through the challenges presented by COVID-19--and we will do so
together!
With appreciation and in friendship,
April Martinez
GMHS Executive Director
PS
Gwen
(pictured above) has been waiting to make a heart connection since March 16, 2019. She is a lovely dog in need of a home without other pets or children under 12. If you think Gwen could be the match for you, click
here
to learn more about her and submit your adoption questionnaire. Have questions about Gwen? Email
animalplacement@gmhumanesociety.org
.
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June 2020 Heart Connections
June was a super month for the homeless pets of our community: A total of
39 pets were adopted. We continue to conduct appointment-only adoptions, which ensures prospective adopters have the benefit of uninterrupted time with our team members and pets during meet and greet appointments. This approach in paying dividends for the pets entrusted to us and has contributed to a 33% decrease in adoption returns!
One of our greatest successes from the month is the adoption of
Lola, who waited 389 days to find her match. We are over the moon for Lola and her forever family and wish them every happiness! Heartfelt thanks are in order for all of those who chose to adopt and friends of the shelter who ensure GMHS has the resources necessary to provide shelter and compassionate care to deserving pets like Lola.
Would you like to welcome a dog or cat into your heart and home? If so, click
here
to view homeless pets just waiting to make a heart connection and begin the adoption
process.
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Partner with GMHS to Save Even More Lives
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Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, GMHS is pleased to have been able to offer uninterrupted care for homeless pets and services to individuals and families that allow their pets to remain in their homes.
Because of you, we have been able to do so.
We remain committed to doing everything we can to sustain daily operations and provide services to people and pets in need, including
Hilma
(right) who was rescued by a volunteer and is being cared for by the GMHS team. Now, more than ever, our homeless pets need our help. And, we need yours.
Please consider a tax-deductible
contribution to GMHS. Your gift will ensure homeless pets receive the shelter, compassionate care, and second chance they deserve.
Thank you for ensuring GMHS remains a beacon of hope and safe harbor for homeless pets!
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GMHS is neither affiliated with any national animal welfare organizations nor do we receive funding from the ASPCA or the Humane Society of the United States.
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June 2020 Shelter Snapshot
The generous support of staff, volunteers, and donors enables GMHS to provide daily care, cover special medical needs, foster animals in homes as needed, and arrange transportation to adoption-guaranteed partners. We are also committed to education, outreach, and transparency. Our annual statistics are available on our
website
, and we also offer you a monthly snapshot.
In June 2020,
39
pets found their forever homes, including two hamsters and one rat. As our adoption-guaranteed partners began to welcome transfers, we doubled the number of pets who found their Highway to Home compared with May 2020. With more Highway to Home transports in the works, we look forward to sharing news of them with you.
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Backyard Buddies Make
Purrfect
Pets
Some cats are super snugglers. Others merely tolerate the company of people. Some would rather stay way from them entirely. GMHS finds matches for them all! Our Backyard Buddies program finds homes for independent-minded cats who prefer to live a life outdoors. (Our ability to do so largely contributes to GMHS' 97% live-release rate.)
Adopters must agree to provide adequate shelter, food, and fresh water.
All Backyard Buddies are altered; current on all vaccinations, including rabies; dewormed; microchipped; and eartipped before adoption. And, as an added bonus, their adoption fees are sponsored!
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Saving Lives One Surgery at a Time
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With expanded hours to better accommodate working clients and curbside check-in/check-out, accessing services at GMHS' Fixin' to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic is easier than ever before!
Call (804) 694-0349 today to schedule your pet's appointment.
Stay in touch with the clinic team by visiting them on the
web
and
Facebook.
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2020 Humane Business Partners
Thank you to GMHS' 2020 Humane Business Partners for making possible our mission to save and transform the lives of homeless pets. Their contributions take many forms, and all are most appreciated. We are grateful to them for their extraordinary, consistent support and partnership and are proud to be in a community with so many businesses and individuals who share a heart for homeless pets.
If you, like our Humane Business Partners, have a heart for homeless pets, we invite you to show your appreciation by supporting and thanking them for partnering with GMHS!
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Like and follow GMHS on social media to stay in-the-know about the latest shelter news, homeless pets available for adoption, adoption success stories, and more!
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