This year I enter the holiday season feeling deeply grateful.
It has been a Herculean year; one that has presented unprecedented requests through our outreach and intake services, shortages of veterinarians across the nation, the steadily increasing costs of animal supplies to properly care for our animals, and fundraising endeavors more challenging than ever in uncertain economic times.
Facing these challenges, we have worked hard. From animals in need to pet owners that are terrified at the thought of losing their best friend, we at the GTHS have worked tirelessly to think outside the box, to go the extra mile and to use whatever resources we have available to make a difference for our clients (both furry and human).
I will never forget the day Kai walked in the front lobby of the Animal Centre with his human family following in tears. Kai, a 4-month-old husky puppy, was very sick but the cost for surgery and diagnostics were simply not attainable. He lay on the lobby floor in the middle of a bustling hive of activity. That day we were busy. Pet Pantry orders were flying out the door (requests have increased by over 50% this year), the hospital was completing over 19 surgeries that day, adoptions were in full swing, and intakes of homeless animals were taking place. Kai was not part of the plan, but the team took one look at him and decided to try. What happened in the following hours can be read in Kai’s blog on the GTHS website, but the real part of this story is that these miracles–these selfless acts of kindness and compassion for pets and people–happen every day at the GTHS Animal Centre. They are possible because of our donors, and they happen because of the personal sacrifices, daily compassion and resolute willingness to do what is right for pets in need by GTHS staff and volunteers.
This holiday season, from the entire hardworking GTHS family, thank you for your generosity. Together we have helped 1,500 homeless pets and have kept another 1,000 pets out of the shelter system and at home with their human companions that love them deeply.
To share our work with you, we created a video to illustrate a day-in-the-life at the GTHS Animal Centre. Please enjoy it here.
Happy holidays!
With sincere gratitude,
Sonya Reichel
Executive Director, Georgian Triangle Humane Society
