Happy Tails Newsletter
June 2022
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As our county (and country) continue to deal with the impacts of the economy, many, if not all animal shelters are bursting at the seams. We have been in crisis mode for some time now and have simply run out of space despite trying to be creative in housing more animals.
Over the last two years, we have seen a major increase in animals being dumped on the streets left to fend for themselves. Most of these poor animals are in need of medical or emotional support before they are ready to be adopted; which leads to longer stays, an overflowing shelter, and increased costs as we provide their care and find their new families. Devastatingly, we are now at the breaking point where we must turn them away because we no longer have the space to safely house any more animals.
We don’t know all of the answers, but want to be part of the solution. Our neighbors need to know that if they decide to abandon their animals on the streets, they will not be guaranteed a safe haven at our very small shelter due to overflowing kennels. If they are dumped in other counties where kill shelters are located, that could be their fate. This is a very difficult conversation that needs to be started and that’s what we’re doing today. Please help us spread this very tough message.
It's our passion to save these sweet souls who can't speak for themselves. We are so grateful for the support of our community which allows us to continue to provide lifesaving services for needy animals.
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BECOME A LOYAL COMPANION TODAY!
Now, more than ever, we need your help. While in our care, the animals we serve are given the medical attention they need including spay/neuter surgeries, medication, vaccines, microchips, plenty of TLC, nutritious food and a safe place to live.
Loyal Companions is a monthly giving program that is crucial to the work that we do for homeless animals. Our goal for this program is to help us focus on rescue and rehabilitation efforts, rather than spending valuable time fundraising.
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TLC Made the Difference!
You might remember a few months back that our shelter took in a box of kittens which were left at the doorstep of our Thrift Shop. After learning about this awful situation, our team jumped in to provide the medical care and love the tiny babies needed.
The kittens were extremely ill and required around the clock care; our Shelter Manager, Amanda took the kittens home every night to ensure that they were bottle fed every few hours. Soon after, our amazing foster, Amber Blankenship took them in to continue their care. They have all been pre-adopted which means once they weigh enough to be spayed/neutered, they will have a new family waiting for them!
Thank you to everyone that donated and sent much needed products to us from our Amazon Wish List during that time! It's because of your support that we could provide the love and care the kittens needed.
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Match Made in McMinnville!
In the early months of the pandemic, Remy Drabkin wanted to help this beautiful boy, Judah by fostering him and providing a loving home while our shelter staff found him the perfect, forever family. Her plan was quickly thwarted when she realized she couldn't live without Judah's companionship and love.
Remy told us that he was such a support during the quiet months of 2020 and the love they have for each grows every day. She jokes that since she became McMinnville's Mayor, Judah is the first dog! Thank you, Mayor Drabkin, for your dedication to our community and for loving Judah so much.
It's stories like this that help us persevere in the work we do for abused, neglected, and homeless animals in Yamhill County.
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Support Animals From Your Couch!
We have thousands, (yes thousands!) of items listed in our online thrift shop on e-Bay, Shopify, and PoshMark. e-Bay alone has 8,000+ sales with 99.4% positive feedback!
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Recently, Mayor Drabkin crafted a letter of support for HBPets as part of our application for the Autzen Family Grant. The heartfelt letter is below. |
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I am writing on behalf of Homeward Bound Pets (HBPets), Oregon’s first no-kill animal shelter. HBP’s mission is to improve the lives of cats and dogs through adoption and community partnerships in Yamhill County. The City of McMinnville is fortunate to be the home of this incredible nonprofit that has been serving our community since 1975. A small but dedicated team of employees and hundreds of volunteers have kept the organization running well despite the old, failing facilities. |
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The impact HBPets has had on our community is enormous:
• HBPets has sheltered and adopted thousands of pets in Yamhill County.
• In 1986, HBPets opened its first thrift store to supplement income for the organization. This has prevented thousands of tons of donated items from becoming waste in the local landfill.
• Since opening the clinic in 2017, HBPets has provided over 11,500 low cost spays/neuters to Yamhill County citizens.
• When the county closed its Dog Control shelter in 2017, HBPets began its partnership with the county and McMinnville by kenneling lost dogs.
• Since taking over dog licensing for Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office in 2020, more than 7000 licenses have been issued by HBPets.
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HBPets provides residents with online licensing options, making it easier than ever for citizens to renew dog licenses. At first glance, supporting HBPets may not seem as crucial as other worthy organizations serving people. However, every animal sheltered, adopted, receiving medical care, or licensed by HBPets represents at least one county resident/family being served.
The positive impact of pet ownership is well established. I’m a rescue dog parent myself, and Judah improves my life every day. I have personally benefited from the important community work done by HBPets. I know thousands of other residents have as well. Our City and County need to keep this important community resource functioning.
I hope you will support HBPets’ request for grant funding for their much needed, new shelter facility. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.
Remy Drabkin, Interim Mayor
City of McMinnville
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We want to thank Mayor Drabkin and our ever generous community for the continued support of the work we do to serve the abused, neglected, and abandoned animals of Yamhill County.
In gratitude,
The HBPets Team
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Homeward Bound Pets Humane Society
503-472-0341 | cec@hbpets.org | www.hbpets.org
PO Box 8 McMinnville, OR 97128
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