With more than $21,000 in donations and sponsorships, the 14th annual Walk for Animals on Sept. 27 has given a tremendous boost to the Windham County Humane Society.
Annie Guion, WCHS executive director, said the proceeds of the event will help the organization cope with a growing need for services related to lost, homeless, and abused animals.
“We're thrilled,” Guion said, “We were hoping to raise $10,000 and we went way beyond that goal.”
The Walk's top fundraiser was Donna Young, who raised $1,588. Runners up were Dr. Sue Kelly and Carol Bryant.
Special recognition went to Lilly Deleon who at 3 years old was the Walk's youngest fundraiser ever, bringing in $200 by selling toys and DVDs she had outgrown.
Guion explained that, as a local nonprofit, WCHS relies heavily on donations and fees to fund its programs. It receives no state or federal funding and no funding from the national humane organizations, other than occasional grant funds.
“We're a stand-alone nonprofit serving Windham County,” Guion said, “so our fundraising events, including the Walk for Animals, are an important part of being able to balance our budget.”
The event, which started and ended at Crowell Park, attracted some 60 people who raised pledges to support their walk. They were accompanied by about 30 dogs, some of which were “alumni” of the shelter now placed with local families or individuals.
Guion said that during the first half of this year the shelter took in 444 animals, compared to 385 last year, and found homes for 420, up from last year's 359.
WCHS also takes in animals from “high-kill” shelters, mostly in Southern states, where there is usually a surplus of unwanted animals. So far this year 114 such animals were taken in, up from 82 last year.
Another new program is helping low-income pet owners by providing them with basic preventive care at an affordable rate. The idea is for pet owners to be able to keep their pets and not have to give them up for adoption.
Guion said 265 pet owners are enrolled who collectively own 325 dogs and 464 cats. This is up from 72 pet owners in October 2012.