2007 Annual Report - MaxFund

MaxFund Animal Adoption Center
2007
Annual Report
a small shelter
that makes
A BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!

M A X F U N D
M I S S I O N
The MaxFund is a non-profit organization established to provide medical care for injured
pets with no known owners and to find new homes for these animals once they
have recovered. Further, the MaxFund is committed to the following goals:
Develop and implement education programs pertaining to animal care, with
emphasis on the importance of spaying and neutering.
Disseminate information on spay/neuter facilities, and, on a periodic basis,
conduct a spay/neuter clinic for pets of low income families.
Be a voice for the animals on issues of animal welfare.
Cooperate with other animal facilities/shelters in accomplishing these goals.
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Every year brings its challenges and 2007 certainly wasn’t any different. With the economy
slowing down, it was more difficult to manage our funds and keep the programs going. A
few of the programs held their own, while others slipped some. We are believers in what we do
and will continue to do our part in saving the animals. We are grateful for the generous donations,
grants, fundraisers, and estates we have received this year. We continue to be a safe
haven for the animals and provide them with the best of care.
Our largest events this year were:
Lucky Mutt Strut $31,392.51
Puttin’ on the Max $41,810.35
BowWow Event $7,500.00
Paws and Ruffresh $14,000.00
Grants: $155,214.00
Memberships: $27,693.00
Memorials: $33,795.00
Pet Pals: $6133.00
Adoptions: $56,575.98
Our very caring donors are the base of MaxFund, we could not do it without them. Last year,
2007, including estates were $597,900.00. We receive food from Purina on a regular basis and
free kitty litter. Those wonderful Inkind donations make a huge difference in our budget.
Our finances are steady in a struggling economy; our balance sheet does not reflect the $756,000
in in-kind donations or our shelter at 1025 Galapago. Our Wellness Clinic continues to grow
and help many low-income people with their pets; we are your local shelter.
The building at 1025 Galapago is in a holding company for safe keeping. It has been appraised
at almost 1 million dollars. Our current assets are at $952,270.79, and with the
building that brings our assets to almost $2 million.
We have approximately 600 volunteers, which volunteered over 24,000 hours—volunteers,
what would we do without them? They come and walk the dogs every day. They are so loyal,
the dogs love it. We also have cat people that come and pet the cats daily. The volunteers do
everything: events, cleaning, walking, office work, getting donations. Everything. Matt Adams
is a volunteer and is also our volunteer coordinator. He has done a fabulous job.
Officers:
Elizabeth Grice, President
Phyllis Eveleigh, Secretary
Elizabeth Grice, Treasurer
Board:
Dr. William Suro
Simon Melser
Sherrie Parrish
Jennifer Lane
Jan Eckhardt
Revenue:
Expenses:
Contributions $1,197,884.00 Programs $1,311,212,.00
Government Grants $0.00 Administration-Management $149,645.00
Investments $1,853.00 Fundraising $30,274.00
Events/Activities $225,054.00 Total Expenses: $1,491,131.00
Total Revenue: $1,424,791.00 Total assets, end of year $938,433.00
Total Liabilities $262,723.00
Fund balance end of year total
assets–total liabilities $675,710.00
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For the 4th year we have received the 4 Star Charity Award; this is given for growth and fiscal
management in handling our finances.
Volunteers, as we call them unpaid staff, clocked in 24,000 hours last year. The volunteers do
everything from cleaning to events. We would never survive without them. We also have a
wonderful volunteer coordinator, Matt Adams, who does a superb job of getting volunteers to
do whatever needs to be done. Thank you volunteers for the kindness of your heart for the animals.
We are a small shelter that makes a big difference in the lives of many animals and their
owners. We have several programs that reach out to the community. We are your local
shelter, and these are the programs we provide to help you with your pet:
Food program: We provide food to folks that can show
their need
Canine and Cats Companion Program: Is a program for
seniors and AIDS clients, we provide at no charge a
companion pet, food, vaccinations, litter and a volunteer
to take the person with their pet to a veterinarian if
needed. We also take the pet back if the person can no
longer care for them.
Pet Pals: Instead of a pen pal you can have a pet pal,
with a sponsorship donation, you will receive a picture
Volunteer, Donna Cashen,
at the spay/neuter clinic.
and a letter each month from your buddy.
Education: When you look at the impact education has in
the schools, we teach responsible pet care and why you
should spay and neuter. We give tours to schools and scout
troops. MaxFund have speakers which visit the schools and
civic organizations.
Volunteer program: Our volunteer program is growing all the
time. We have approximately 500 volunteers, who in 2006 put
in 15,500 hours to help with various programs. Our coordinator,
Matt Adams, is a volunteer himself. In 2005 our volunteers
logged-in over 14,460 hours.
Therapy Program: Phyllis Eveleigh, one of our Board members, MaxFund Dog Visits
has visited nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities over the past 12 years. Senior She Center brings
therapy pets, dogs and cats to visit,
The animals offer unconditional love and we have more requests
than we can cover. This is done by 15 volunteers who
go weekly to different facilities. It brings back memories of their
own animals. We have had folks who refuse to talk to anyone else,
but they will talk to the animals on their visits.
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W I L L I E B U T L E R
H A S B E E N R E S C U E D !
By Lora Alla, Shelter Dog Coordinator
ESRA, Rocky Mt. Region, Denver, CO
On Wednesday, November 1, a hiker was hiking in Big Cottonwood Canyon outside of Salt Lake City,
Utah. The hiker saw something strange. He went to investigate. What he found shocked him.
Wrapped tightly in a blanket with heavy logs on top was a black and white, 10 year old, male English
Springer Spaniel. The dog was trapped. The dog could not move. The hiker called animal control for help.
The dog was freed and rushed to the vet. The poor dog had a temperature of 94 degrees. He also was diagnosed
with a grade 2 to 3 heart murmur, chronic anemia and liver issues. It was also feared that he had a pulmonary
edema. The dog was in bad shape. He weighed 24 lbs. In addition to his health problems, he was severely
matted and the shelter had to shave him. No one knows how long the dog was in the canyon.
On Thursday, November 2, I got a call from April Harris, Adoption Coordinator at Salt Lake Animal Services.
She needed help. I contacted Carlee Mashak, ESRA volunteer in Salt Lake City, and told her the story.
Carlee called April and suggested that the media be contacted in hopes of getting the dog on the news and
find the person or persons who did this horrible thing. Two Salt Lake City TV stations put the dog on the
news. I was told CNN picked up the story. Everyone was very concerned and horrified that someone would
abandon an animal in this fashion. The community donated money for the dog’s care. The vet and shelter
worked hard to save his life. Carlee visited the dog at the shelter and was heartbroken.
Willy Butler slowly started to improve, but he was not out of danger. On Monday, November 13, there was
still a strong possibility that Willy Butler would be put to sleep. A few days later, Willy Butler was cleared to
go to rescue and rescue only. His health improved dramatically. His liver and kidney functions are good. He
does not have a pulmonary edema. He has gained over 20 pounds. He should weigh about 55 lbs. (he is a
big bench bred Springer). Sadly, Willy Butler still has chronic anemia and heart issues.
A transport was quickly put together and Willy Butler arrived in Boulder today. Then it was off to Denver to
the MaxFund where Willy Butler is resting quietly. I am sure the employees and volunteers at the MaxFund
will take great care of Willy Butler.
I was able to visit Willy Butler this afternoon at the MaxFund. I cannot tell you how happy I am to finally meet
him. Willy Butler likes people, other dogs and cats. He loves to play in the water. He is very sweet and gentle. He
is a little afraid.
By by Bill and Sally Farrell
We became foster parents to Willie in mid December after visiting with him at the MaxFund and the Douglas
County Animal Hospital where he was being treated. At that time his weight was up to about 47
pounds. We couldn’t adopt him until he was neutered and finished his medications for some health problems.
Happily he was quickly given a clean bill of health, neutered and we were able
to adopt him in February. And what a joy he has been! He’s such a happy,
friendly dog. Loves people and Bill is his very special person. Initially we
didn’t know if he was even house-broken, let alone knew any
commands. Turned out he was and did.
The first day we brought him home in December, he investigated every
corner of the house. He seemed delighted with everything he found.
He loved racing up and down the steps, skidding around corners
and generally making himself at home. He would follow us
everywhere we went. Any cupboard that was opened got a
thorough sniffing. The first night we put a blanket at the foot of our
bed for him to sleep on. When I got into bed he joyfully leaped up as
if that was where he expected to sleep, but when told “no”, he got
down right away. He ended up sleeping across the room, we think so he could keep an eye on us!
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F O S T E R C A R E
A T T H E M A X F U N D
by Kim Murdock
Do you know Zen? How about Melvin or Felix? These are MaxFund animals who are
living in foster homes, thankful to be out of the daily stress.
I became a MaxFund volunteer in spring 2005. At that time, I expected I would play with the cats
and walk dogs. I never thought about fostering animals. I had heard about people who do. I admired
them and was thankful people like that existed. But I never considered fostering myself. It
seemed like too much work, or I thought it would be too hard and heart breaking.
However, after spending week after week with the cats at MaxFund, I felt frustrated watching
some that needed to be in a different environment. I hated to watch older cats get passed by for
the youngsters. I worried about the cats losing weight and getting sadder by the day. So when my
dog died last year, I considered the idea of adopting a cat and fostering.
My first foster was Lily, a cute 3-year old tortie. Lily was a very quiet cat who mostly stayed huddled in
her cage. When she got out of her cage, she would just stay all by herself in a corner. Lily lived at
MaxFund for over a year, and most of that time was in a cage. Over the course of a couple of
months, I watched Lily lose weight and start to look sick.
The foster coordinator put Lily on the foster list. But there just aren't that many foster parents out
there, so Lily had to wait for a long time. Meanwhile, she was getting quieter and quieter, thinner
and thinner. I really worried about her, so I brought her home.
Within roughly a month, Lily became a very vibrant kitty. She had the loudest purr and the cutest
little meow. She was not a quiet cat at all. We called her “the wild one,” because she ran all over
the house and explored everywhere. I realized how hard the MaxFund must have been for her, because
she was very different there. At our house, her real, spunky personality showed up, and she
gained weight. Once I felt Lily was stable and healthy, I re-wrote her bio. Within a few weeks,
someone saw Lily on the web and wanted to meet her. Lily is now living in a permanent home
with a wonderful mom. She has a playmate who is energetic like her.
Within a few weeks after Lily’s adoption, my heart was torn by Shorty, a buff tabby who had
stopped eating. Shorty had lived at the MaxFund for four years. Although he was only 8 years old,
his health had deteriorated. He lost four pounds in one month. Frankly, he was tired of living in a
shelter, and he was done. I couldn’t let him die in a cage, so I brought him home.
I was told that he would be in hospice care. It could be days or
weeks or maybe months. But it was hospice care.
Shorty is the gentlest cat I have ever met, and his
spirit was very broken when he arrived here. He
was not used to eating, so we started out feeding
him chicken baby food. He could only take a
few licks at a time, and then he was done.
At first, I thought, “What have I gotten myself into?
This will be a lot of work if I have to let him lick
baby food off my finger every couple of hours.”
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J A N E T A N D S A S S Y
T W O S T R O N G , B E A U T I F U L ,
L O V I N G L A D I E S
by Lori Roushon
Icame to the MaxFund in the spring of 1991. At the front desk were Nanci Suro and Janet
Gardner. And a couple of pretty large dogs. I came to pet cats, but everyone knows how that
really goes. I cleaned, walked, fed, worked on projects, dressed up as Santa Claws, went to
mobile adoptions...
A few months after arriving at the Shelter, Nanci, knowing my affinity for Siamese cats, told me
she had a cat for me. Sassy was sickly and scrawny, but just gorgeous. She had been injured before
she came to the shelter, and her left front leg had been broken and healed so that she was unable
to bend it at the elbow. This girl was such a love. She had beautiful blue Siamese eyes. At that
time she also had Janet’s slender figure. We did get Sassy pretty plumped up.
So I did as Nanci told me. I told my husband we were fostering Sassy until she got better. I didn’t
tell him it would take 16 years.
Since we didn’t know Sassy’s birthday, I used Janet’s birthday to celebrate Sassy’s.
Sassy died a few days before Janet did this past August. I know Janet has lots of animals to take
care of there for us, but Sassy is there to take care of Janet. Sassy will give her all the kitty kisses
she’ll need. I never see something to do
with Elvis without thinking of Janet.
Janet and Sassy—two strong, beautiful,
loving ladies who will always be
part of my life. I love and miss
you both. We do too. —MaxFund
Janet Gardner
September 1936 – August 2007
May she rest in peace.
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W H A T E L S E I S U N I Q U E
A B O U T T H E M A X F U N D ?
MaxFund is a TRUE no-kill shelter. There is no initial pre-sorting of animals into “adoptable”
and “non-adoptable” categories, discarding the so-called “unadoptable.” The MaxFund takes
every animal it has the space for. EVERY animal is kept until its owner is found or it is placed in a new
adoptive home. The only reason for euthanasia is when it is in the humane interest of the animal. No animal
is discarded to municipal shelters for them to be euthanized when the prescribed number of days
run out. Because our animals usually start off with a medical bill and period of recovery and rehabilitation,
and because we are a true no-kill shelter, our operating costs are much higher than other
shelters.
We also provide:
• Low cost vaccinations, pet food, and spay/neuter clinics for pets of low
income families.
• No-fee adoptions, pet food, cat litter and transportation for veterinary services
for senior citizens and AIDS patients.
• Therapy Program which takes pets to visit senior centers,
the VA Hospital and nursing homes.
I N S U M M A R Y
As we head into 2008, we want to thank you for your support and believing in us as we continue to
grow and to help as many animals as we can. Your support is our lifeline, we could not accomplish
any of this without you. We are looking forward towards another great year working for
the animals. The wonderful animals are why we are here: and the inspirations is what carries us on to
do the best for them. In return they enrich our lives and those who support and adopt them. Thank you.