Winter Edition - Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County

2
MESSAGES
Chalmers Morse, Executive Director
Deb Freed, Editor
On a recent flight, the woman sitting next to me was crying and going on
about someone named Tonto. It turned out that Tonto was her four-year-old
dog who had just died. She had no idea I was involved with a shelter, and
frankly I wanted to keep it that way.
She told me that her dog had died from Heartworm Disease. She went on
to say, “It’s no wonder, I bought him from a shelter, so what can you expect?”
I asked how long she’d had the dog. “Oh I rescued him when he was only
about a year old.” I inquired if her vet hadn’t prescribed some type of heartworm
preventative for Tonto. “Well, they did mention it at the shelter when I
got him, but he was never sick so there was no need to ever see a vet.”
Sadly, we hear those words all the time. It is much easier to blame
someone else, rather than accept responsibility. Here was a situation that was
preventable. Simply by seeing her veterinarian on a regular basis and giving
Tonto monthly heartworm preventative, he would still be alive.
Then there was the man who brought a litter of kittens to the Shelter
that he didn’t want. When the staff offered assistance in spaying the mother
cat, he replied, “Oh there’s no need, I only have the one cat, and she’s an
indoor cat.” Well that may be so, but then how did she get pregnant?
Having a pet can be wonderful and bring great joy, but it doesn't come
without great responsibility, too.
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals."
- Immanuel Kant
This year has been both a rewarding and challenging one for the Humane
Society. The effects of the economy brought us many animals relinquished by
people in distressed circumstances, but conversely there was the reward of
being able to place them in new, loving homes. The Humane Times has told
you many of these heartbreaking and heartwarming stories.
As I reflect upon 2010, I am reminded of instances when a situation
seemed hopeless, then suddenly a generous soul would appear to provide
desperately needed funding, foster an animal, or adopt a long-term Shelter
pet. Because of the kindness of supporters like you, we have been able to
help the people and pets of our community even more this past year. Our Pet
Food Bank has provided food for animals in need, our vaccination clinics have
inoculated pets that otherwise would be vulnerable to Rabies and disease,
and our spay/neuter vouchers have helped to reduce the pet population by
offering free or low-cost sterilization.
When I think of our donors, I am reminded of the Starfish Story (Loren
Eiseley). It tells of two people walking along the beach, when one tosses a
stranded starfish back into the ocean to save its life. The other says, “There
are miles of beach and hundreds of starfish, you can’t make a difference.” The
first person replies, “I can for that one.”
This is the time of year when many charities are asking you for a gift, but
the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County would like to give
you one in return. The article on the adjacent page describes how you can
give and receive this holiday season and years to come.
2009 2010
Board of Directors
Fritz Spitzmiller, President
Debbi Vickers, 1st Vice President
Cheryl Gerstner, 2nd Vice President
Deborah Freed, 3rd Vice President
Jo Ann Becker, Secretary
Andy Beindorf, Treasurer
Lin Angell
David Brower, CPA
Jane Cammann
Roger Haines
Kimberly Hardin
Foundation Board
Jo Ann Becker
Andy Beindorf
Parker Crowell
Debbie Kanehl
Sistie Lewis
Michelle Servos
Nancy Benedict
Dr. Henry Doremus
Barbara Evans
Pat Anwyl
Helen Baker
G. L. Freed
Cindy Haskett
Shana Holub
Advisory Council
Honorary Board
Thomas McDevitt
Shelter Management
Phone - 388-3331
Chalmers Morse, Executive Director
Ext. 15
Dorothy Ritchey, Business Manager
Ext. 14
Kevin Humphrey, Controller
Ext. 21
Keith Hinton, Director of Development
Ext. 27
Connie Cotherman, Asst. Development Director
Ext. 26
Janet Winikoff, Director of Education
Ext. 18
Ilka Daniel, Director of Animal Protective Services
Ext. 28
Maria Ramirez, Director of Animal Care
Ext. 31
Phaedra Kohler, Director of Client & Volunteer Serv.
Ext. 20
Dr. Elizabeth Bybee – Sr. Consulting Veterinarian
Dr. Lyndall Soule – Consulting Veterinarian
Humane Times Volunteer Staff
Deb Freed, Editor
Dr. Cynthia Haskett
Bill Hudson
Mike Molloy
Cornelia Perez
Dick Pippert
Bill Hudson
Virginia Schwerin
Fritz Spitzmiller
Susan Schuyler Smith
Jim Thompson
Maria Whittle
Horace C. Ford
Joanne Grymes
Dell Lockwood
Lynn Molloy
Bob Nyberg
Cornelia Perez
Mary Schenkel
Linda Scott
Shelter Staff Writers:
Connie Cotherman, Keith Hinton, Janet Winikoff
© 2010 Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River
County. Humane Times is published quarterly in March,
June, September, and December. Reproduction, in whole
or in part, is encouraged in keeping with the publication’s
educational intent. For reprint permission, comments, or
questions e-mail the editor at Petwrites@aol.com
COVER PHOTO: Christmas Dreams
by Linda Scott
(Special thanks to Suzy Parker)