As 2016 begins, we at Southside SPCA reflect back on a very busy year, full of many successes and new challenges as well. We are ever grateful to our many supporters who continue to give in so many ways, through financial support, donations of goods and services, and countless volunteer service hours. We could not do it without you. Thank you, thank you!!
We are particularly grateful for your support for our spay/neuter programs. These programs have been incredibly successful. They have been so successful, in fact, that they are mostly responsible for reducing the average euthanasia rate (dogs, cats, kittens, & puppies) for our 12-county service area from almost 100% when we started working on the problem over 20 years ago to 37.47% in 2014. When a grant for these programs expired this year we feared that we would have to cut back on the programs, but our supporters stepped in to help. Now, many thousands of Southside Virginia animals continue to be saved each year from neglect, misery and death due to the kindness and generosity of our supporters.
Also, based on numbers compiled through the middle of November, it appears that this will be close to a record year with well over 1,000 animals rescued, cared for, spayed and neutered, and adopted into loving homes. Additionally, we will have spayed or neutered over 1,000 individually owned pets in 2015.
Unfortunately, these accomplishments have come with added costs that have put a strain on our finances. We are thrilled by the increasing successes of our fundraising events in both the Farmville and greater Richmond areas. The funds earned from these events along with your private contributions serve to keep our mission going, with 91% of every dollar earned going directly to support our dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens. However, our shelters are always full, and the need to rescue, feed, provide medical care, spay/neuter, and adopt our residents seems never-ending.
Our financial challenges are great, and we continue to rely on your generosity. As 2015 draws to a close, and the Holiday Season is upon us, we ask that you please consider making a year-end gift to Southside SPCA. Together, we can overcome our challenges and make 2016 a better year for the countless homeless dogs and cats in Southside Virginia. Thank you for considering a donation today.
Thank you for all that you do, and Happiest of Holidays from all of us at Southside SPCA!