Volume 3, Issue 2 | February 2020
Critter Chronicles
Thanks to you, our friends and supporters, February has been a month filled with love for the homeless pets of our community and Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society. Read on to learn about heart connections made, lives saved and ways you can get involved!
February 2020 Adoption Successes
Fifty pets were adopted in February to date! Below are just a few of the matches made.
Kitten Fosters Needed
It's a fact: We've enjoyed an incredibly warm winter. In addition to early-blooming daffodils, this means we can expect to experience a busy kitten season. Critical to GMHS' ability to save these tiny lives is growing the ranks of our kitten foster volunteers. From bottle babies to those who are several weeks old, kittens reared in a home grow healthy and strong before adoption or transfer to one of our adoption-guaranteed partners.

All foster volunteers receive training and necessary supplies. If you would like to join our foster team and be a super hero for our community's kittens, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Waynette Petty at volunteer@gmhumanesociety.org or (804) 693-5520 ext. 320.
Photo Credit: Gloucester Department of Community Engagement and Public Information
GCAC Dogs Find Joy in New Play Yard

GMHS Volunteer Joyce Emerson and Medina (pictured) joined shelter and Gloucester County representatives for the February 4 ribbon cutting of the Gloucester County Animal Control Shelter play yard. Made possible through a $14,000 grant from GMHS, the play yard offers exercise and enrichment for homeless dogs housed at the GCAC Shelter.

Read more about the partnership that made the play yard possible here!
Wonder Dogs and Amazing Cats Find Their Highway to Home
Each year, our dedicated Highway to Home volunteers drive dozens of hours and thousands of miles to transport homeless pets to adoption-guaranteed partner shelters. The majority of these partners are located in the northeast and home to communities with a great demand for, and few local, homeless pets.

In 2020 (YTD), 78 pets have been transported through the program, where they went on to find their forever homes--many in a matter of days! Our thanks to everyone who made the February transports possible. From staff to volunteers, partners to adopters, lives are saved and transformed because of you!

If you would like to volunteer to pilot one of our Highway to Home transports, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Waynette Petty at volunteer@gmhumanesociety.org or (804) 693-5520 ext. 320.
Backyard Buddies Program Finds Homes for Outdoor Cats
Fixin' to Save Begins Clinic Renovation in April 2020
We're excited to share renovation of our Fixin' to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic will begin April 9. Surgeries will resume when the clinic reopens April 20.

Funded through the generous support of individual donors and a grant from the J. Edwin Treakle Foundation, this project will increase the clinic's surgical capacity and enable dental care to be provided to shelter pets. Thank you to our donors for making this project possible and our clients for their patience and understanding during the renovation.

Call (804) 694-0349 to inquire about high quality, affordable spay/neuter services and to make your pet’s appointment. Stay in touch with the clinic team by visiting them on the web and Facebook .

Compassionate Community
Debra Falkenberg and Gloucester 4-H elementary students spent a recent Sunday afternoon with GMHS. They delivered donations of pet food and supplies and made dog treats. The no-bake peanut butter-applesauce-oatmeal treats were enjoyed by dogs at the shelter, and 4-H members even took some home for their own pets. While at GMHS, they also received a tour of the shelter and met dogs, cats and rabbits looking for forever homes. Thank you for spending the afternoon with us and making a difference in the lives of homeless pets in our care!

I n early February, Abingdon Elementary School welcomed GMHS team members and therapy dog/rescue pet ambassador Blossom to their school. Kindergarten classes learned about safe dog interaction and how to introduce themselves to a stranger dog. We appreciate the opportunity to spend time with this lovely group and their interest in pets!
A huge and heartfelt thank you to our friends at the Chesapeake Bank Gloucester Branch for sharing their heart for homeless pets and commitment to community with GMHS. Throughout the month of January, they collected donations of pet food and supplies. And, they personally delivered them to the shelter. The people and pets of our community are most fortunate to count the Chesapeake Bank team among our life-saving partners. Thank you for helping to make our mission possible!
Angel Fund Saves Bell's Life

Shortly before Christmas, Bell was rescued from the roadside by our partners at GCAC. She was cold, hungry and suffering from a softball-sized hernia.

Thanks to the Angel Fund and our dear friends at Animal Care of Gloucester , six-year-old Bell's life was saved and transformed with much-needed surgery. On February 5, she was adopted into her forever home. As you can see, she was all smiles on adoption day and is living the life filled with love and dignity every pet deserves!

Learn more about GMHS' Angel Fund and donate today to provide extraordinary veterinary care for pets like Bell.
Mark Your Calendar: Community Events Benefitting GMHS
Target Circle
There's little more than a month left to vote!

We’re participating in the Target Circle program through which GMHS is eligible for grant funding based on votes for our shelter. Vote for us and help direct Target’s giving to benefit homeless pets cared for by GMHS.

Visit Target Circle for full program details and instructions and cast your vote today!
Dinner Theatre and Magic Show to Benefit GMHS

Join animal lovers and fans of magic at the Moose Family Center on April 18 for an evening of comedy and illusions with Joe Pescador . Dinner will be served at 5:30 PM, and the show begins at 7:00 PM.

Dinner theatre tickets are $20 for adults and $12 for children 16 and younger. Tickets to attend the magic show only are $12 for adults and $8 for children 16 and younger. Tickets are available for purchase at Office Supply of Gloucester , Golden Creations and GMHS' Front Desk. Call the Moose Family Center at (804) 693-3899 for more information.
Become a Faithful Friend
Join our Faithful Friends with a monthly donation and help us provide wellness care, spay/neuter surgery and more for the homeless pets of GMHS!

Simply click the paw print and check the box when donating to make yours a monthly contribution. Each month, you'll receive the story of a pet whose life was saved and transformed by your generosity.

Our Faithful Friends and their sustaining contributions help make our life-saving mission possible, and we thank you for your support!
Stay in Touch
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