We Need Your Support

Antietam Humane Society has come quite a long way in just one year! In April 2021, we made it our mission to become a no-kill shelter, and in a very short time we learned as much as possible to insure our success. Our rate for 2021 was 86%. In the animal sheltering community, no-kill means having a live-release rate of 90% or above, statistically speaking, but it is so much more.

For us, it is also philosophical. We want to do what is best for every animal that comes through our doors on an individual level. This means:

• Returning feral cats to their outdoor homes rather than euthanizing
• Making them barn cats if it is not safe for them to return
• Opening our own spay/neuter clinic for the public to help control the population of our community cats so they do not even have to come into the shelter at all
• Working with fellow shelters and rescues, to transfer cats and dogs, who have been with us a long time, have a different environment, and be provided a better opportunity to be adopted and gain their forever home.
• And sometimes this can mean humanely euthanizing if the quality of life for the animal is poor; but only after careful consideration and discussion

Overall, while reaching the 90%+ threshold is certainly a bonus, what matters most is that the animals thrive.

All of these changes have led us to increase our adoption rates for dogs by 23% from 2020 and cats by 40% from 2020. Of great joy to the staff was to finally see one of our favorite long-time residents find a home of her own, after almost 4 years in the shelter. Thanks must be given to the efforts of the staff and all they have learned regarding dog and cat enrichment. This improves the lives of the animals while they are here, and in turn reduces their time in the shelter. We must also offer a huge Thank You to our dedicated volunteers, and 458 shelter buddies, whose time spent only adds to our success.

Finally, with in the implementation of many new programs, we have been able to keep more space open in the shelter for animals most in need, such as those whose owners truly can’t keep them or, the worst situations, those suffering cruelty. In 2020, with the addition of our Humane Officer, we have serviced several animals and worked on multiple cases.

But all of this is not possible without you. Our funding comes exclusively from our generous donors to maintain these programs, keep our lights on, our buildings safe, and our animals healthy. We invite you to invest in this organization that has invested so much in our community.

On behalf of all of the animals, thank you for your consideration.

EIN #: 23-7311188