Humane Society ranked in top 10
1/24/2014The Toledo Area Humane Society has been named one of the Top 10 emergency-placement partners for the Humane Society of the United States in 2013.
Emergency-placement partners are local animal agencies that work with national organization to provide ongoing care and find permanent homes for animals saved during large-scale rescue missions, including natural disasters, puppy mills, extreme neglect, and animal fighting. The HSUS has nearly 300 placement partners nationwide.
The local humane society took the No. 10 spot on the list.
“You sign up to be one of these partners and then they reach out to you whenever there’s a crisis,” Gary Willoughby, executive director, said.
In April last year, the Maumee shelter was called upon for help after the March rescue of 120 animals from a hoarder in Belmont County, in southern Ohio. The organization took in a dozen dogs from the case, which Mr. Willoughby said were in terrible shape and frightened.
“A few of them were fostered for a very long time while we rehabilitated them,” he said.
The list comprises those organizations deemed to have given extra effort for the animals’ sake.
“Although every placement partner is deeply valued, these 10 groups went above and beyond to help animals rescued from large-scale crisis situations,” Michelle Cascio, manager of the program, said in a news release. “Throughout the year, they showed tireless enthusiasm and dedication to helping animals.
“All of our emergency-placement partners are critical to our mission to end animal suffering and cruelty, and we are so grateful for their continued support and willingness to help animals in need,” she said.
Mr. Willoughby said the honor, which comes with a $500 sponsorship for one of the organization’s events this year, is a testament to the group’s desire to network with others for the benefit of animals.
“It shows the community that we really do value partnerships, both with local rescue groups and the national groups that have the ability to do things on a scale we couldn’t do by ourselves,” he said. “It’s a lot of different people working together, putting in their time and energy, to make happy endings for animals.”
— Alexandra Mester