An Innovative Partnership rship & Capital Campaign to Help Animals and People eople Animal Care & Resource Center O F K A L A M A Z O O C O U N T Y Kalamazoo Cares Throughout our community’s history, citizens have reache reached out to meet urgent needs while hil att th the same ti time bbuilding ildi our community socially and economically. ne heart T W O O R G A N I Z AT I O N S The Animal Care & Resource Center of Kalamazoo County In the spirit of generosity and innovation, the Kalamazoo Humane Society and Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement are planning an Animal Care & Resource Center that will meet current and future animal welfare needs AND enrich our community socially and economically for years to come. Our two organizations often work closely together to provide mandated and necessary animal welfare services for Kalamazoo County. Like other communities, Kalamazoo is required by law to provide shelter for stray, lost, injured and abandoned animals. Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement (KCASE) is the only shelter in Kalamazoo County authorized to perform this service on behalf of the citizens of Kalamazoo County. KCASE also enforces all state and local ordinances, provides important dog licensing services and investigates allegations of animal abuse and neglect. The Kalamazoo Humane Society (KHS), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1897, has a long history of fostering an environment of respect, responsibility and compassion for animals. KHS has taken the lead locally in providing low-cost spay/neuter services to reduce pet overpopulation. It also offers humane education resources and a number of other services to assist people with animal care needs. Under one roof we’ll be able to provide these services more efficiently and effectively – while remaining separate organizations with complementary missions. Kalamazoo Cares About... • Controlling the Pet Population • Sheltering Animals Safely and Humanely • Identifying Lost Pets and Reuniting Them with Their Families • Investigating and Addressing Animal Abuse Allegations • Finding Suitable Homes for Adoptable Pets • Socializing Pets and Teaching Obedience • Providing Food for Pets in Need • Sharing Educational Resources • Developing Good Citizens • Strengthening our Community’s Reputation as One That is Compassionate and Responsible Under one roof we’ll make a greater impact! KCA S E Each year, Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement (KCASE) shelters over 6,000 animals for varying periods of time. Unlike private rescue organizations, KCASE is mandated to accept every animal brought to the shelter, regardless of the animal’s age or condition. Some animals residing at the shelter have been relinquished by their owners, while other animals have been picked up by officers as strays. Sadly, when the shelter becomes full, all too often the staff is forced to euthanize adoptable animals. Many abused animals like this one are helped by KCASE each year KHS’ emergency cy pet food bank ortive services for and other supportive families in CRISIS are also severelyly limited in terms of storage ccess. capacity and access. E: DOING MOR the Addressing of Root Causes d Shelters e d w o r c r e v O Improving shelter conditions will: • Improve animal health • Attract more visitors • Encourage more adoptions To make a long-term impact, we also need to stem the tide of animals entering the shelter system by providing: • Spay/neuter surgeries • Humane education • Hardship assistance • Pet obedience training These services help address the ROOT CAUSES of overcrowded shelters, which are: Animals are unwanted or cannot be maintained. Animals aren’t properly trained and socialized. Animal owners aren’t properly trained in animal care and handling. Our organizations already provide services in these areas, but our space and resources are limited. With adequate space and the efficiencies of providing our services under one roof, we can expand our work. Floods and other emergencies can create crisis situations for families and their pets. Like KCASE, the small parking lot and cramped conditions at KHS’ current facility are frequently inadequate to accommodate KHS’ many visitors and the volunteers who help KHS reduce pet overpopulation; teach our citizens compassionate behavior; and assist animals and families in need. Just imagine... Together, we win! ONE PLACE TO VISIT The Center will satisfy a full spectrum um of animal wefare needs. Imagine a place where visitors ors ry will find mandated, necessary and important activities and d services under one roof. FFewer Unwanted Pets By collaborating, this Center will provide: • Inviting, Healthy Lodging for More Animals nimals - • Dog Licensing indoor dog runs, puppy pens, cat cages • Humane Education and an aviary are planned • Safe Exercise in Spacious Areas • Low-cost Spay/Neuter Clinic • Collaboration and Intern Opportunities with Colleges and Universities • Indoor Dog Training Area • Increased Volunteer Opportunities • Animal Abuse Investigations On-site Resource Library and Programs Throughout the Community • Rescue and Adoption Operations and Counseling • Emergency Pet Food Bank • Pet Behaviorial Assessments for Pet Visitation Programs • Education and Meeting Room KHS will own this unique facility and lease space to KCASE and other organizations with complementary missions. SHARED RESOURCES KHS and KCASE regularly share information and assist one another in numerous ous animal welfare activities. Imagine gine the savings savin ngs in staff time tim and resources when we can work wor ork k together ther under ne roof. KH helps prevent unwanted pets populating shelters by providing low-cost spay/neuter services to low-income KHS residents. re Im Imagine how many more unwanted litters of kittens and puppies will be prevented when we have a high-volume spay/neuter clinic on-site that can accommodate an expanded partnership with Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. More Animals Saved KCASE shelters unwanted animals and makes qualified animals available for adoption. Through outreach to the public and rescue groups, KCASE has increased the number of animals adopted in recent years. Imagine how many more pets will be saved and adopted when larger, sanitary and inviting conditions help maintain pets’ health and attract loving families. More Families Assisted KHS helps families experiencing financial or domestic difficulties maintain their beloved pets by offering free food or temporary housing for a pet living in unstable conditions. In these challenging economic times, the need is greater than ever before. KHS also offers aid to victims of domestic violence, covering the cost of any boarding fees or medical care the animals may need. Imagine how many more pets will remain in their homes or find a safe haven when we can help more families cope with their challenging circumstances. THE POSSIBILITIES A Safer and More Humane Community Animal welfare issues affect all of us. KHS works to keep our community safe and compassionate by offering humane education materials that explain how to train and socialize pets and treat them humanely. With more space and greater resources, we will be able to make presentations on-site and at other locations throughout the community. Imagine how our community will benefit from our expanded partnerships with universities; schools; centers for troubled youth; libraries; hospitals; retirement/ assisted living and nursing home facilities; and other local organizations and businesses. We welcome partners who share our vision. Imagine what our community will be like when more citizens, especially young people, learn good citizenship through our expanded humane education programs and on-site pet obedience training. Join us in creating another Kalamazoo ”First!” Our Progress Programming experts in the shelter field have worked with us to develop innovative tive features of the Center that at will allow us to offer a crucial range of animal welfare services in a healthy and inviting atmosphere. The details of our vision have further evolved as we’ve researched hed and toured some of the best-designed animal caree facilities built to date. Our organizations believe in continuous improvement, so fy we will continue to identify the best features and the best practices we can incorporate in the Animal Care & Resource Center of Kalamazoo County. Join us Proposed concepts for Animal Care & Resource Center from ‘Shelter Planners of America’ I N M A K I N G A N I M PA C T F O R G E N E R AT I O N S T O C O M E Your investment in the Animal Care & Resource Center of Kalamazoo County will make an immediate as well as a long-term impact on our community. By helping to create this new Center serving Kalamazoo County – your Center – you’ll know that the lives of countless, voiceless animals will be saved and improved. Hearts will be changed. And people will gather together all year round in this place that welcomes all – a place of where life is respected, dignified and celebrated, and families can be made complete. The impact of your help will be far-reaching and visible, as well. When other communities struggle with similar challenges and visit the Center to evaluate our model, we can offer assistance. Join us in making a difference for generations of animals and people. Contact the Kalamazoo Humane Society at (269) 345-1181 www.KalamazooCaresForAnimals.org Animal Care & Resource Center O F K A L A M A Z O O C O U N T Y
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