I want to reflect on the amazing progress we made during the second half of last year. From July 1 to December 31, 2024, we made great progress in all areas of the shelter including adoptions, behavior programs, and medical services. Our team has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the animals in our care. We are grateful for the support of our community, volunteers, and donors who make it all possible.
Adoption Center Successes
Our Adoption Center has truly been a beacon of hope for animals in need. Over the past six months, we saw an impressive 1,460 adoptions, 16% above our projections. That's 1,460 cats, dogs, and small animals in forever homes. Thanks to our adoption counselors and our generous adopters.
In 2024, we exceeded expectations with 2,476 total adoptions, a 15% increase over 2023. This included 1,599 cats, 769 dogs, and 108 small animals – a testament to our commitment to helping every type of pet. Our Adoption Center exceeded our intake goals with 2,641 total intakes, a 13% increase over last year.
The ReTail Shop, which helps with our adoption efforts, made $111,102 in sales this year. That's a 10% increase from 2023. We had a small dip in the second half of the year. Our sales were $65,115, 15% below projections due to more cat adoptions than dog adoptions. Still, we are optimistic about the future and expect growth in 2025.
Transport Program Expansion
Our Transport Program is key to our outreach. It brings in animals from partner organizations, both in-state and out-of-state. In 2024, we transported 1,624 animals: 725 dogs, 870 cats, and 29 small animals. This was a 34% increase from 2023. This program saves lives and helps reduce pet overpopulation in some areas. It gives more animals a chance for a better life.
Foster Program Growth
As we continued to work hard to care for all our animals, our Foster Program saw impressive growth. From July to December, 722 cats and 84 dogs were fostered. This was a 43% increase in cats and a 55% increase in dogs from last year. We held 48 foster training sessions, including two bilingual ones. This ensured our foster families could provide the best care possible.
In 2024, our dedicated foster families contributed 37,800 total foster hours. This shows our community's strong commitment to the animals in our care.
Medical Services & Healing Heroes Fund
Our Shelter Medical Program has provided critical care for our rescued animals. In the last six months of 2024, we did 1,060 spay/neuter surgeries. Our complication rate was just 0.38%. This success kept our animals healthy and ready for adoption.
Thanks to our donors, the Healing Heroes Fund provided $5,320 for medical needs since July 2024. It helped pets like Kooper, with chronic conditions, get care to recover and thrive. Kooper's story is one of resilience. After an amputation to fix a dislocated hip, he fully healed and found his forever home. This is just one example of the life-changing work we’re able to do because of your support.
Pet Food Pantry Services
Our Pet Food Pantry program continues to meet a growing demand. Between July and December, we served 3,684 families – a 188% increase over the same period in 2023. This effort fed 3,117 dogs and 3,899 cats. It distributed 34,111 pounds of food, a 67% increase from last year. We also expanded our reach by partnering with Hope Church Pantry and Vets on Wheels (VOW) in Camden. This helped us serve more people in need.
Volunteers and Community Support
Our Volunteer Program has been instrumental in helping us meet our goals. In the second half of 2024, volunteers logged an impressive 32,424 hours. This is a 50% increase from last year. Our corporate volunteer groups doubled. We are thankful for our volunteers' time, energy, and skills.
Our Pet Bereavement Program saw a 50% increase in attendance. It now helps those grieving a lost pet. This program provides comfort. We're proud to have helped 36 families in six months.
Education and Outreach
Our commitment to education remains strong, as seen in our growth across a range of programs. Our Camp Tails & Whiskers program had a 26% rise in attendance. Meanwhile, our Scout Badging program grew by an impressive 180%. Our badging program had 374 scouts learning about animal welfare. We saw a 400% increase in field trips, with 20 schools visiting our shelter.
In 2024, we introduced new programs to engage our community. AWA's STEM Day, sponsored by WSFS Bank, taught students animal-related STEM. Though only 32 students attended, the event was valuable. It was a good learning experience and laid the groundwork for future events.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, we are excited about the possibilities and the work yet to be done. We will focus on our strategic goals. This includes: expanding education, improving transport, and boosting our online presence to connect with more supporters.
We are so proud of what we’ve accomplished together in 2024, and we can’t wait to see what the next year brings. Thank you to everyone who has supported our mission. This includes those who adopted, donated, volunteered, or spread the word. Your commitment to our cause makes a world of difference to the animals we serve.
Here’s to continuing to grow, learn, and make an even bigger impact in 2025. Thank you for being part of our journey.
Warmly,
Laura
Executive Director
