My Nonprofit Reviews
shertz
Review for HART for Animals, Inc., Accident, MD, USA
It didn’t take long after we moved to Garrett County to realize that in rural, relatively poor farming and mining region, dogs are often tied out and cats run loose. Many low-income residents can’t afford to alter their pets, and no low-cost vet facility existed in the county or region. Despite of the efforts of a dedicated county shelter staff, the facility was old and small and the county had no funds for repairing it. Adoptable animals were being put down due to overcrowding and difficulty in preventing the spread of disease. I also heard folks talk about how they were reluctant to go to the shelter to adopt a dog or cat because the facility was kind of depressing. Because I have been a volunteer dog obedience trainer for several decades, I soon heard of the efforts of several concerned animal lovers who were transporting adoptable animals out of the county. So when HART was founded to raise private funds to build a first-class, state-of-the-art animal adoption center for Garrett County and the region, I volunteered to become an officer and serve on the Board of Directors. . I have participated in community parades to raise awareness of HART over the years. And our Irish Wolfhound, well known in the community because she is a therapy dog, was chosen to “break ground” at the 2011 ceremony for the first phase of the adoption center-- the site has been cleared and made ready for the foundation. (See her attached photo.) I am in charge of the Admissions volunteers for HART’s major local fundraiser-K-9s, Tunes, and Brews. My husband organizes the fundraiser’s dog activities, including agility, water rescue, and disc-dog demonstrations, a fun pet dog show, and a police dog presentation by our Sheriff Dept.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I adopted a seven-week old kitten that had been abandoned in a farming area and that was going to be transported out for adoption. As a member of the Board of Directors and an active participant in HART activities, I constantly hear of "success" stories from people in the community.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find a way to hire an entire team of grant writers. While HART aims to be self-sustaining financially, grants--especially for construction and veterinary equipment--are of vital importance at this time.
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
A lot
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
How did you learn about this organization?
The Director of Development attended my dog obedience class at the community college with her 6 month old rescue.
What is this organization's top short-term priority?
It was clear that, while the transporting of animals must continue, equally important was the opening of a clinic for both for residents of the region whose income level would otherwise prevent them from spaying or neutering their pets and also for other regional rescue groups to spay and neuter their animals before adoption. Due to the generous donation of time, services, and equipment by two local retired veterinarians, the clinic was opened before ground was broken for the new adoption center.
What is its top priority in the long run?
The Animal Adoption Center will centralize the clinic and transport services while allowing HART to rescue a greater number of animals who will be able to wait a longer period for adoption in larger, healthier, and more comfortable surroundings—for both animals and potential adoptive families. The center will serve not only Garrett County, but the neighboring counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
