WILLIAMSBURG — Heritage Humane Society (HHS) has released its 2021 Impact Report.
The report details data regarding how the HHS was able to serve the community throughout the year. The open admission shelter, located at 430 Waller Mill Rd., is open 365 days a year and is dedicated to transitioning stray or surrendered companion animals into their “forever homes.” Additionally, HHS provides community education and advocacy regarding animal care and welfare.
In 2021, HHS saw 1,086 adoptions, 154 companion animals returned to their owners, and 71 animals transferred to rescue partners. HHS adopted out 670 cats, 260 dogs, 117 adoptions of other pets (such as small animals), and 39 career cat adoptions. Of the wildlife brought into HHS, the shelter saw a live animal release rate of 93.77 percent.
In addition to adoptions, HHS assisted 1,211 pets in 245 families through its Kibble Kitchen, which, in conjunction with Williamsburg House of Mercy and Grove Christian Outreach Center, provides pet food and supplies to families in need.
Throughout 2021, the shelter had 487 active volunteers that logged 16,593 hours. Additionally, there were 556 animals fostered through HHS and more than 110 Fido Field Trips for the shelter’s dogs.
HHS celebrated the completion of its $2 million expansion which includes an additional 2,550 square feet with a new multipurpose classroom for training, humane education, and meetings, a dedicated space for the Kibble Kitchen program, new feature rooms for pets, indoor and outdoor play areas, offices, bathrooms, walkways, and parking.
Recently, HHS partook in the #BettyWhiteChallenge where on January 17, on what would have been the beloved actress, Betty White’s, 100th birthday, animal-related organizations raised money in honor of White’s lifetime dedication to animal advocacy. HHS reports receiving 375 donations so far through this initiative, totaling $17,000. Additionally, Nautical Dog, located at 51 Main Street Ste. B in the New Town section of Williamsburg, matched any can of dog food or treats purchased and Movie Tavern, located at 1430 High St., also in Williamsburg, included HHS in its “Betty White: A Celebration” on White’s birthday.
Among its many current programs and initiatives, HHS is offering free dog training workshops. These are 30 minute sessions where topics from potty training to puppy biting will be covered. The “humans only” workshops are held at the shelter’s multi-purpose classroom. For more information on these workshops, please click here.
Now through February 14, HHS is hosting Hearts for Homeless Pets. Throughout this campaign, residents can purchase paper hearts with a $10 donation and can customize the decoration of the heart. The hearts will be displayed in HHS’s lobby starting January 24 and stay up throughout the month of February. to learn more about this campaign, please click here.
To learn more about Heritage Humane Society or find your “forever campaign animal,” please visit the shelter or click here for its website.
(Editor’s Note: WYDaily and Tide Radio 92.3 FM are the media sponsors for the Hearts for Homeless Pets campaign.)