HARLINGEN — After a challenging year where natural disasters and a global pandemic could have made it difficult for any organization to accomplish its goals, the Humane Society of Harlingen is celebrating.
April marks the one year anniversary of the Humane Society of Harlingen becoming a no kill shelter.
It also marks the highest save rate the shelter has ever seen, at 98.39 percent.
Sarah Cano, Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator, said they do not know their percentage until the end of each month.
“April first was kind of our official one year anniversary,” Cano said.
“To be classified as a no kill shelter, a shelter has to save more than 90 percent of the animals in their care. Before March of 2020, our save rate was below 90, and we did greater than that throughout the year,” she said.
Cano believes this was achieved by collaborating with animal welfare organizations and creating partnerships with the community, as well as more engagement.
However, the most important was the marketing adoption programs.
“Right now, all of our adoption fees are waived, which is something we have been doing throughout the year because we want to make sure adopting a pet is accessible to everybody,” Cano said.
Currently, the shelter has over 100 cats and dogs in its care, which is why adoption fees have been waived in order to find the animals a loving home and make room for more.
“People have extra money to spend on a pet, and we want to make sure they use it for veterinary care, a cute collar, a cool bed. All of those things you need when getting a new pet,” she said.
Cano stressed the importance of the involvement of the community with the shelter to have been able to get to this point.
“As much as we try, becoming a no kill shelter cannot be done just within the walls of the shelter. Becoming a no kill community is a work of the community as a whole,” Cano said.
In addition to the community involvement, Cano added there has been an increase in adoptions during the pandemic lockdown. More people are working from home and children are doing online learning, which has allowed families to look for a new pet.
“As interesting as 2020 was and it presented different challenges, one thing that we noticed was that our adoption numbers were going up,” she said.
“We have seen an increase over the course of the last year, and we are really thankful people chose to adopt,” Cano said.
On April 17, the shelter will have a low-cost vaccination and medication clinic for the community. Pre-registration is available at https://www.hshtx.org/monthly-clinic.
Following the clinic, the shelter will host an event at the Ruff House for pets and owners to enjoy drinks and games. A $10 donation or equivalent will be asked upon entry.
“It is a fun event for people to come out to the new dog park downtown and a great chance to enjoy the outdoors and have a little fun,” Cano said.
In the last 12 months:
>> 2,122 animals found loing forever homes.
>> 362 animals were reunited with their families.
>> 883 animals went into foster care.
>> 741 animals were transferred to rescue organizations.
>> 689 cats were returned to field (sterilized and vaccinated).
>> 1058 spay/neuter surgeries were performed at the new clinic.
>> 2,987 animals were vaccinated through monthly clinics.
>> 921 animals were microchipped.
Source: Humane Society of Harlingen
