Partners in Progress 2020 | Page 74

SOCIETY STRIVES TO ‘SAVE ONE LIFE AT A TIME’ S aving One Life at a Time” is more than just a slogan for the folks that run the Humane Society of Richmond County. They devote their time, compassion and love to the animals they save. “We are a community resource that is dedicated to providing a second chance for animals of our community,” explained society board member Corey Davis. “We work to find fosters, rescues, and loving forever homes for the animals that go into the shelter.” But they are not the shelter, emphasized Davis. The society does work to save many of the animals that the shelter gets in. For example, they take weekly trips to Charlotte to take animals to a no-kill shelter there, often saving the animal’s life. And they do so much more. “Our efforts include community educational programs, spay & neuter programs to help reduce animal population and strays, and we also want to teach the community about responsible pet ownership and how to create a loving and safe environment for the animal’s welfare,” explained Davis. “One of our primary services to these animals includes medical care when needed, often at times no one else will step forward.” Instead of putting animals in the shelter, the society fosters animals to people in the community until they are adopted. Another new program the society has dove into is partnering with Meals on Wheels to provide pet food for elderly people in the community that are in need. Along with the hot meals, participants can get needed dog or cat food so their pets are well fed also. Pets play an important therapeutic role, especially with the elderly. Often their pet is all they have left, and would be alone without them. including the Fur Bowl in January, a Pet Paw-Looza in May, the Raise the Woof event in September and numerous Pour for a Paw parties. The society is a non-profit organization, and relies on donations and fundraisers to operate. It is run by a board of directors, who are “passionately committed to the welfare of animals in our community.” The next big fundraiser will be the 2nd Annual “A Tail To Remember” which is scheduled for February 22 at the Rockingham Moose Lodge. The society often places over 300 animals a year with other rescue organizations. It also spends tens of thousands a year on vetting animals back to health and providing spay and neuters. Fundraisers play an important funding role, and the society has a calendar full of them, Sponsorship tables are available for the show, and tickets are on sale now. For more information, go to the Humane Society of Richmond County’s Facebook page. You can also obtain more information on the society at their website: www. humanesocietyofrichmondcounty.org. Donations are always gratefully accepted. The can be mailed to P.O. Box 2064, Rockingham, NC 28380. Humane Society Of Richmond County Post Office Box 2064 Rockingham, NC 28380 [email protected] facebook.com\hsrcrichmondcounty www.humanesocietyofrichmondcounty.org 74 • PROGRESS 2020