A Message to the Community from

CVAS Executive Director Jamie Kasarda

 

    What an exciting, busy time it has been as the Executive Director of the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter.  I can honestly say that I am so proud to be a part of this caring, dedicated organization.  Coming in as the new person on November 1, 2005, I was welcomed by staff and board members with gratitude and we’ve learned so much together.  We have worked hard to help improve shelter operations and better the lives of homeless and neglected animals. 
 

    Each day I realize more and more that non-profit workers are a breed apart.  We are all motivated by our cause of helping animals.  The staff has been held up to high expectations and they amaze me with their stamina.  They care about what they do and it really shows when you come through the doors of CVAS.  The cages are very clean, the cats are usually sleeping, and the dogs are very social and seem to recognize each staff member as the person who gives them food, water, and lots of love!  We see many cases of neglected animals coming through our doors and all wish we could put an end to the neglect and abandonment of thousands of animals every year.  We have come to the realization that we can only do the best we can and things will change when public majority takes action and responsibility for the pet over-population crisis. We continuously promote and educate the public about the need to spay and neuter pets. 
 

    The Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter strives every year for positive and progressive accomplishments.  This past year, CVAS has partnered with PetSmart Charities to showcase adoptable animals, thus giving them a better chance of finding a forever home.  We have also joined the Food Lion Shop & Share program so that our supporters can help CVAS even when they buy groceries; as well as the search engine called “Good Search” that CVAS supporters can use while browsing and researching online.  CVAS will get one cent for every search done when our organization is put in as the charity to benefit. 
 

    Since CVAS is a non-profit organization, we rely heavily on donations from the community and the municipalities we serve.  The monetary donations currently cover about 13% of our expenses.  In order to keep serving the community for many years to come, we generate the additional funding through services, many fundraisers, thrift store sales, and grants.  CVAS is also sustained through generous people in the community that included CVAS in their estate planning.  We take financial matters very seriously and track every dollar spent to ensure that it was used wisely.  The CVAS board members have taught me the importance of making every dollar stretch to meet all the operational needs of an animal shelter.  I’ve learned to find and implement ways of improving what we do, while reducing what we spend.  CVAS has very responsible financial tracking/handling procedures, and is working toward adding new programs to advance our services to the community.  Our income and expenses are public record and we are audited every year to ensure our finances are being handled properly.
 

    CVAS has made great strides in developing rescue procedures and plans for disaster preparedness.  We are proud to have accomplished our biggest animal rescue in our history, by seizing 63 neglected dogs from an animal hoarding situation.  The dogs were nursed to health and found loving homes thanks to hard work from the CVAS staff and through the help of breed rescue organizations.  We co-sponsored a meeting to get animal lovers of Franklin County together in an effort to start a Franklin County Animal Response Team, and are making steps toward disaster preparedness by developing a public low-cost microchipping program, which will begin August 1, 2007.  Microchips help reunite lost pets with their owners and played a major role in helping several animals return to their pet parents when the devastating hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana.  Unfortunately, the animals had to be left behind during the initial rescue efforts and many pet owners may never see their pet again.  A simple microchip could have made all the difference.
 

    Another accomplishment this year was staff education.  We have updated our sanitation procedures and understanding of animal disease transmission and will continue to train the staff with innovative cleaning techniques.  The CVAS Humane Police Officer received his full Humane Officer training course, became court-appointed to serve Franklin County, and has since received continuing educational courses in handling citation procedures and defense training.
 

    CVAS has set many goals for the upcoming year as well.  We are looking to offer dog bathing services, by appointment, as a week-long fundraiser to help care for the four-legged critters we look after. Another goal is to develop a plan for shelter relocation due to Industrial encroachment coming upon us in the next few years.  The CVAS board members are working diligently with leaders in the community to partner with local educators and further the animal welfare field.  In addition, CVAS is working toward utilizing a free comprehensive shelter management computer service in order to improve our efficiency with our developing programs, tracking animals, and extending additional services to the community.
 

    Being a part of the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter has proved to be a challenging, yet very rewarding experience.  I feel strongly about our mission to shelter, protect, and adopt out homeless animals to forever homes.  That mission gets me up every morning and reminds me how we are all a small part of a bigger picture. I believe that positive change starts with positive people and am confident of the work CVAS does everyday.