On September 17th, President & CEO Doug Barry (our fellow Rotarian), and volunteer Charlie Franks, both from the Humane Society for Greater Nashua, addressed the Rotary Club of Nashua regarding, the Humane Society for Greater Nashua. Doug opened up the talk by noting that in the organization was founded in 1900 by M. Jennie Kendall, the first female sheriff in NH. In 1930, local businessman Roscoe Proctor donated six acres to the Humane Society making Proctor Cemetery the first pet cemetery in New Hampshire. 3,000 animals are buried there and there is room for approximately 500 more.
The Humane Society employs 24 staff and has support of 24 Board members. There is a full-time veterinarian on staff. The Humane Society would like to be able to provide low-cost veterinarian services to the community, but NH law prohibits any organization that is not owned by a veterinarian to do so. Over 3,000 animals receive medical care there each year, and half of these are part of the community spay and neuter program. They have also done over 700 dog transports.
The Humane Society relies on the help of hundreds of volunteers and could not survive without this volunteer assistance.
Charlie Franks, a long-time volunteer and former Board chair, noted that the organization provides care for companion animals, not wild animals, mostly dogs and cats. Before adoption, they do a health check with the veterinarian, spay or neuter the pet, and assure that the pet is up-to-date on current vaccinations. Animals are also micro-chipped and added to a data base in case they get lost. Nashua Police Department and citizens bring stray animals to the shelter. There is a success rate for dogs (75%) and cats (12%) in being reunited with their owners. (There is also national disparity in the dog/cat reunited rate.)
The staff and volunteers work with pets to prepare them for adoption: working with them on behavior training. The Humane Society also offers behavior training for the public to bring their dogs. There is a series of 6 classes in basic and advanced level.
Ninety percent of the Humane Society’s revenue is derived from contributions. Rotarian Deb Nash has chaired their annual gala, which brings in approximately $100,000. (Doug noted that many Rotarians are volunteers and supporters!)