Spring has fully arrived at the Animal Welfare Association. This brings growth, reflection, and preparation for the busy months ahead. Looking back on our team's work this past quarter, I feel proud. We’ve achieved a lot, but there’s still more ahead. We can achieve a lot by focusing on our mission. We aim to end animal suffering. We celebrate the bond between humans and animals. Also, we want every companion animal to have a safe, loving home.
Let’s dive into some of the highlights from the April 2025 Board Report.
Development & Fundraising: Strength in Numbers
Our development team is working hard to secure funding. This funding supports lifesaving programs directly. This quarter, we received two grants. The Petco Foundation awarded us a $3,500 General Lifesaving Grant. We also got a generous $10,475 grant from Columbia Bank for our PAWS Programs. Every dollar from these grants lets us expand services. It helps us provide vital care. We can be there for animals and the people who love them.
Events have also been picking up steam. The extended Tats for Tails fundraiser at 168 Tattoo brought in $600, up from $400 in February 2024. Even though this isn't our biggest fundraiser, we love these creative, community-driven ways to support our mission.
And speaking of growth, our Tab Shred Event on April 5 was our most successful yet, raising $1,880! Thank you to everyone who came out to shred responsibly and support animals in the process.
Looking ahead, we’re excited about two fun fundraisers currently underway:
- Liberty Beans Coffee has a special AWA-themed blend. You can order it online to support our work. Purchase your coffee here.
- Raising Cane’s has expanded their plush puppy fundraiser from 4 to 6 store locations. This third-party partnership has grown consistently thanks to strong community support.
Leadership & Community Presence
It’s been a busy and fulfilling season of outreach and representation. In March, I was excited to speak at Holbein School's “Donuts and Advice” event for Women’s History Month. I talked to high school girls about career success and resilience. I attended the Cultural Diversity Club Expo at Eastern Regional High School. AWA set up a table there and connected with students and teachers.
This quarter, we proudly hosted Trusense for their national sales meeting, and we showcased how collaboration benefits our community. I was chosen to represent our state in animal welfare at the Non-Profit Center of New Jersey. It's an honor I truly value.
I’m thrilled to share that I was named Alignable’s Local Business Person of the Year for Voorhees! I was also nominated for the 2025 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award. This award honors people who make an impact in New Jersey. Even though I wasn’t chosen, the nomination showed me the amazing work our AWA family does every day.
Shelter & Animal Care: Kitten Season Prep and a Leap in Adoptions
Kitten season is just beginning to roll in, and our foster department is ahead of the curve. Starter kits and supplies are ready. We hold several foster orientation sessions each week. Our social media team is also working hard to recruit new foster families.
We’ve seen encouraging progress in our core numbers:
- Adoptions in March were up 15% compared to the same period in 2024, with 77 animals finding new homes.
- Intakes are also up 34%, underscoring the growing need for our services.
- Animals in foster care rose by 19% in 2024. This shows how important our foster network is for handling seasonal surges.
We’re proud of the ongoing success of Dogs Playing for Life. These enrichment playgroups are a game-changer for our dogs. The kennels feel calmer after each session. Staff who join the training also say their morale improves. They feel more connected to the dogs in their care.
Our Safety Committee also met recently to discuss volunteer and staff incident reports. Changes have already been implemented, ranging from relocating hazards to increased training. We also reviewed a recent OSHA report and responded proactively to the recommendations.
Clinic: Vets on Wheels, Rabbit Vaccines & New Dental Services
Our veterinary services keep growing. This growth comes from new initiatives and partnerships.
On April 23, our Vets on Wheels (VOW) program came back to Camden. We teamed up with the Camden County Police Department's Community Outreach team who provided a table and security presence at the event, which saw 71 animals receive care. It's great to see ongoing teamwork to help communities that lack veterinary care.
We hosted a rabbit vaccine clinic on April 6. This was done with Dr. Sharonda Meade from Fur, Feathers & Scales Mobile Vet Service. Ten rabbits, some from over 90 minutes away, got the RHDV vaccine for $40. This is a big savings compared to the $300 many vets charge.
Starting in June, we’ll offer dental services. This is thanks to our new veterinary contractor. Pre-appointments have already started filling up in anticipation.
Education & Outreach: Empowering the Next Generation
March and April were bursting with outreach and educational programs.
Our Pretend Pet Clinic made appearances at several high-profile events:
- On March 29, we attended the Philadelphia Flyers game. Our stuffed-animal clinic let kids take a needed break from the noise and excitement. Over 100 people stopped by our calming station.
- On April 5, we took the clinic to the open house at Pennsauken Animal Hospital. Staff families got a look at animal care.
- The next day, we hosted a STEM Day session. Thirteen students, ages 10 to 13, explored animal medicine, engineering, behavior, and nutrition.
Animal Academy started again after winter break. It welcomed 18 students, ages 7 to 15, to learn about the upcoming baby season. We hosted 40 Girl Scouts. They earned their AWA fun patch. We reached over 100 kids with lessons about animal body language and no-kill advocacy.
Marketing & PR: New Revenue Streams and Media Attention
While web traffic has remained relatively stable, we’ve seen some strategic shifts. Total users reached 23,820 (a slight increase), with new users up 0.7% and returning visitors up 1.37%. Although organic search dipped slightly, direct and referral traffic both rose. Website revenue dropped by 8.66%. This was mainly because organic search performance fell. However, we gained well from direct and social sources.
Our team is adapting, however. New monetization tools are beginning to bear fruit:
- Facebook: $6.62
- Instagram: $2.21
On social media:
- LinkedIn saw a notable 1,900% increase in comments, signaling deeper engagement.
- TikTok saw a general decline in views and interactions, prompting a strategic reassessment.
- YouTube remained steady with a small bump in subscribers and watch time.
We had two NBC10 features. One was for a “Clear the Shelters” pet spotlight. The other talked about the Foster Care program and our upcoming Paws & Feet Doggie Fun Day & 5K.
Operations & Facilities: Fence Project Complete
The fence installation is finally done. It now offers important secondary containment for our highest-risk areas. This project makes our animals and staff safer. It also gives us peace of mind as we get ready for the busy summer months.
National Trends & Perspective
Recent national data shows that in 2024, 2.4 million dogs and cats found homes through shelters. This is a 4.1% rise compared to 2023. While this is encouraging, adoption numbers have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels.
In 2024, Best Friends saw more dogs than cats euthanized in U.S. shelters for the first time. This highlights the ongoing work that remains.
We focus on local efforts and stay active in national discussions and standards. You can read the full Best Friends report here.
Looking Forward
Each statistic, outreach visit, and adoption is a thread in the progress we’re making together. We can meet rising demand. We can adapt to national changes. We can also innovate together like never before.
I’m incredibly proud of our team, our volunteers, and our community partners. Thank you to all our supporters, donors, adopters, fosters, and advocates. You make this work possible.
Here’s to continuing this momentum into summer and beyond. The best is yet to come.
With gratitude,
Laura Houston
Executive Director
