Carver Scott Humane Societies 4 pillar approach to animal rescue is really making a difference, not only in our local community but statewide in areas where there is little to no help for stray animals. If you look at their save rate statics it is pretty incredible. They are a dedicated group of individuals that are taking rescue to a whole new level. They value keeping pets in their current home and will assist with that. They trap, neuter and release strays if that is the best option for them and pull animals from intake facilities saving them from euthanasia every day. This is a great organization to support. I joined the Board of Directors over two years ago and have seen some great strides forward including a new office location at 822 Yellow Brick Road in Chaska. Stop by the new office space and check out the mission!
I've worked in animal welfare for many years and I have been so pleased to learn about Carver Scott HS's focus, which is not only on animals, but also on the people that love them. So frequently, animal shelters offer this service to people (to take and re-home their beloved pets) and then resent the people who utilize the service! No wonder animal shelters are so often maligned in our society!
CSHS is caring and compassionate to both the animals and people in their community and wants to do right by both groups. I really admire that!
I’ve been a CSHS volunteer for a little over a year and have to say that it’s a refreshing, fun, innovative place to be! What brought me to CSHS was the forward thinking initiative of keeping pets with their people. The Fur Keeps program helped me with a dog who needed major surgery, which I could not provide. She had her surgery and has recovered beautifully! I owe CSHS for that help and am so thankful for a program designed to keep animals with their families, where they belong.
This rescue is important to me because it has four pillars that are unique and benefit the community. Everyone makes decisions based on the best research and resources available.
I just happened upon CSHS when my daughter wanted to volunteer her time to help the animals. I can honestly say I have never seen a group of people that cared more passionately for the individual animals in their care and through our time there we noticed they cared for the people who cared about those animals just as much. Whether it was other volunteers or people walking in from the street, the compassion across the board was inspiring.
I recently joined the Board and was drawn to the 4-pillar philosophy, which really gets to the root of animal overpopulation. Carver Scott is different than many other rescues, because not only are animals in their mission, people included too.
In response to the individual who questioned reports on how funding is spent, CSHS is up to date with its IRS filings and the Board receives monthly reports on the financial status of the organization. The Board also completes a rigorous budget process each year.
It's unfortunate that people don't like change, but I for one am very excited about the direction CSHS is going. I wish them all the luck in the world and will work hard to help them fulfill their mission.
I've volunteered in the animal welfare community for close to 14 years, and I've worked with Carver Scott Humane Society for a little over 2 years. What I love about CSHS is its innovative approach to the issue of pet homelessness. They don't just focus on the top-layer issues--by only intaking animals and adoption them out--they dig deeper and work to fix the underlying causes of pet homelessness. An example of this is CSHS's Fur Keeps program. This program is designed to support pets and their families and keep happy, healthy pets in loving homes. Fur Keeps not only prevents pets from becoming homeless, it also increases the capacity of other shelters and rescues to intake some of the more high-needs animals. The Fur Keeps program is what drew me to CSHS, and I'm proud to volunteer with such a forward-thinking organization!
Review from Guidestar
This organization has turned the tables on how rescue should be done. Animal Welfare is an emotionally charged, highly reactive field and the wonderful members of this organization handle it with ease and finesse all while saving animals in numerous different ways. They have proven that in order to help more animals, you need to focus on the people who love them and offer services that are needed in their area.
Sadly, CSHS lost its way when they hired an executive director about 4-5 years ago. Most of the fosters, all of the board, president, treasurer, cat and dog coordinators, newsletter volunteer, marketing volunteer, etc. left or where pushed out. Then people had to be paid to do what past people volunteered to do for decades.
Many noticed a difference between the upbeat 'PR' given by the director and the reality of what was going on. It seemed as though a 'dictator' with a stepping stone goal was on the job. Some of the Board was replaced with people the director knew. All current board members have no history with CSHS, as all a recent. They hear only the positive upbeat line the director speaks. Eventually, the director needed a new office (more spending).
Selective intake of pets eventually happened. The procedure to adopt a pet changed to what seems like just buying the pet. The Walk got canceled this year, hardly anyone wanted to participate. Trying to find any filed papers about the spending/finances seems impossible. Humm??
I would NOT donate unless you are given written papers documenting how the funds have been spent for the last 4-5 years. It used to be about 90% went directly to benefit the animals. Not any longer.
The director has recently announced a job has been secured in a larger organization and this director will be leaving CSHS.
I started volunteering in the spring of 2013. Starting with the Pet Adoption Days then later I was asked to help with some committees. During the course of volunteering [for the first time] I found it very easy to ask people to support me when asking on behalf of the animals in need. I have grown as a person as a result. CSHS has enabled me to truly make an impact on helping animals in need which has been very near and dear to me since childhood. Pooling resources enables us to make the greatest impact in our mission. I highly recommend anyone to help any way they can: financially, fostering, volunteering... it is well worth your time when working with CSHS.