My Nonprofit Reviews

I have served as a volunteer at Middleburg Humane Foundation (MHF) for approximately 7 years, walking dogs and fund-raising. I also have served on their Board of Directors and as Treasurer of the organization. I have now officially returned to the status of volunteer.

Middleburg Humane Foundation is an amazing organization, run by the most compassionate management and employees imaginable and supported by fabulous volunteers who put heart and soul into seeking a better future for all the abused, neglected and at risk animals animals that have the good fortune to find their way there.

If good medical and day-to-day life care were all that was needed, this shelter would rate 5 stars. However, there are always more animals in need than there are resources to provide this care. The attention of management and staff to do the necessary fund-raising to keep the doors open and the quality of care high is always an issue and diversion.

Middleburg Humane Foundation goes beyond the animals in its direct care. It has a Chained Dog program, that focuses on animals that are legally kept on chains outside of owner homes. MHF visits these homes and delivers bedding, food, medicine and other essentials to keep the dog as comfortable and healthy as possible in this less than ideal life. While supporting these animals, it also helps the owners understand their obligations as pet owners and forges a partnership, as much as possible, with the ultimate well-being of the animal in mind.

MHF also tries to educate the public to the critical importance of spaying or neutering for not only the health of the pet, but for prevention of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens, that ultimately end up in shelters if they are lucky and suffering if they are not.

Running a shelter for abused and neglected animals is one of the hardest jobs on earth; there is so much needless suffering, needless cruelty and needless ignorance. It is hard to keep good employees because the stress level is so high, every day. As we all know, the limit of what can be done is always the funds available to do it. Having been involved with the financial planning, the one area that I see MHF needing is sources of funding (grants) that can be counted on from year to year without the entire staff and many of the volunteers being distracted from the organization's purpose of helping the animals to the "marketing" side to constantly beg for financial support.

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