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Gloucester Mathews Humane Society (GMHS) is bringing wonderful things to our community in 2024 and it’s not just kittens and puppies! The expansions are physical as groundbreaking on an education and community event center will occur within several months, followed by a capital campaign to fund the building of a wellness vet clinic, which will also be home for the Fixin’ to Save Spay and Neuter Clinic on the GMHS campus.
Breaking Ground: Education and Event Center Coming Soon
If you follow the shelter’s social channels, you may have noticed a number of fun activities taking place at the shelter over the last year, since the arrival of the new Executive Director, Charles Brown [March 2023].
Events like Birthday Parties, Pet Story Time, Shelter Tours, a Humane Heroes Summer Camp, Kindness Workshops, Kid’s Movie Night, Kitten Showers, and a Cornhole Tournament in September populate the shelter’s Facebook Event page. The shelter also offers children and adult programming for humane education, all of which take place in the front lobby. “Having a designated space will enrich our programs and allow us to expand our outreach,” says Brown.
Funding for this expansion is made possible by a grant from the Dean and Cam Williams Foundation. The late Cam and Dean Williams were transformative in the life of GMHS through their wise guidance and by giving generously of their time and treasure. This wonderful contribution will continue their legacy of love and service to neglected, abused, and lost animals, with completion expected in early 2025.
Bring a Wellness Vet Clinic and the move of Fixin’ to Save Clinic to Life with Your Donation
The next expansion is bringing the Fixin’ to Save Spay & Neuter Clinic (FTSSNC) in Hayes to the shelter property. Originally, founded by Animal Resource Foundation in 2008, the shelter took over administration of the clinic in 2018. The clinic serves the shelter and the public with affordable spay and neuter services. According to the shelter’s Communications and Development Coordinator, Caitlin Donnelly, the clinic altered a record-breaking 4,177 animals in the community last year.
Moving FTSSNC will also enable an onsite vet, an increase in medical operation days, and increase in low-cost services and assistance programs. Executive Director Charles Brown says, “Many of the animals surrendered to our care are because owners can’t afford vet care for long term conditions. Our goal is to remove those barriers.”
The shelter has seed money to begin the site prep (expected to begin this summer), but the capital campaign fund will allow the community to bring the vision to life. Readers can follow the Gloucester Humane Society’s social channels or sign up for their newsletter to get updates about the launch of the campaign. At go live, you’ll also be able to bring your donation to any Chesapeake Bank to deposit funds into the designated account.
Standing Strong: Chesapeake’s Support of the Shelter and Animals
Chesapeake Bank has been a strong advocate and supporter of the shelter since its original move 15 years ago from Rangtang Road to the current location at 6620 Jackson Ln. Commercial Loan Officer Steve Callis was the point of contact on the initial construction loan. He went on to serve a three-year term on the shelter board. “We’ve had a great partnership with GMHS over the years. It’s been rewarding on both sides,” says Callis. “And since I’ve gotten my own beagle, it’s only endeared me to them. It’s a great feeling to support their efforts for the animals.”
The shelter’s President Emeritus, Dick Crowder, even credits Steve’s support of their life-saving mission, along with Steve’s interactions in business to be the reason he moved his own personal accounts to Chesapeake Bank. “Well, that is, along with the nudging of my wife,” Crowder says. “She was right. Chesapeake is a true community bank and Steve’s guidance and understanding of our needs has been so helpful.”
Other Ways You Can Partner with GMHS to Save and Transform Lives
GMHS offers a Pet Pantry to those who need help keeping their pets in their home. “Surprisingly, more of our food costs go to supplying the pet pantry than feeding our own animals,” says Donnelly. “There are currently 900 pets registered in the program. The community can support this need by donating dry and can food of any brand, flavor, or size, for dogs or cats.
The shelter website hosts a needs wish list, along with information about volunteering and fostering, which are always needed, especially during peak seasons, such as kitten season which runs now through October.
And of course, there’s always adoption as many pets are seeking their forever home, like these long standing residents, Mike and Nina; a sweet mixed breed bonded pair who have been at the shelter since 2022 when their owner passed. (Their adoption fees have already been sponsored.)
