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Animal Welfare Center Gives Pledge Party Talking Points

Sept. 22, 2008 – In an effort to help board members and senior staff best describe the funding needs of the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center, the following talking points have been developed.
Overview
· Founded 1973, registered 501 (c) non profit
· Only animal welfare rescue organization on island
· Handled 4,000 plus animals last year (2007)
· No animal is turned away
Senior Staff Responsibilities
· Executive Director and Staff Veterinarian – Dr. Stacia Boswell V.M.D.
· Adoptions and Administration – Liz Castro
· Animal Control – Moises Carmona
· Pets from Paradise, the off island adoptions program – Anna Loizeaux
(Anna is also a vet tech)
· Humane Education/youth volunteers – Therese Donarski
· Fund raising, special events – Holly Drummond
· Communications, media, special events, volunteers, flea market – Gretchen Sherrill
Our Major Programs
· Animal Control
· Adoptions
· Humane education
· Low Cost Spay/Neuter
What AWC does not do
· Sell vets meds to the public
· Provide boarding
· Provide any other services that compete with island veterinarians
· Sell animals
Breakdown by Program
Animal Control
· The bulk of AWC's services
· Stray animal pick up
· Surrender of animals/pick up of surrenders
· Two men and a truck – Moises Carmona and Odey Constant
· Respond to thousands of calls each year, six days per week
· Fulfills government contract
Fundraising Need – it costs AWC $400,000+ to fulfill our government services, but V.I. government only paid us $85,000. AWC is working to get the V.I. government to renegotiate this contract. At present we depend on outside fundraising for basic operations.
Adoptions
· Companion animals (cats and dogs) are available for adoption
· The public can view animals six days a week
· The adoption cost is $60 and includes spay or neuter surgery, vaccines, de- worming and dog license.
· Adoption cost is far less than buying an animal and paying vet fees
· AWC promotes on-island and off-island adoptions through Pets from Paradise
· An estimated 800 animals were adopted on island last year.
Fundraising Need – basic care: shelter, food and water are provided to the thousands of animals that come through AWC's doors. We provide a safe, clean temporary home for dogs and cats awaiting a forever home.
Pets from Paradise
· Partner shelters in the U.S. mainland receive AWC animals
· Partner shelters have shortages in small dogs or puppies – AWC does not displace local animals
· Depends on travelers to be flight companions for animals
· AWC coordinates all logistics with airline departure requirements and stateside shelter reception
· An estimated 60 animals were adopted via Pets from Paradise this year.
Fundraising Need – the costs to travel with pets has greatly increased. Current costs are $100 – $150 just for the trip.
Humane Education
· Promotes responsible pet care and anti-cruelty in St. Croix schools
· Targets elementary and middle grades with class presentations
· Manages older grades after school program for students 12 and up
· One of the only places on island where students can readily receive community service credits required for graduation
Fundraising Need – Humane Education desperately wants to reach high school students to combat the growing popularity of dog fighting and to educate students on pet ownership responsibilities.
Low Cost Spay/Neuter
· Surgeries performed Tuesdays and Thursdays each week
· 2,000 surgeries performed last year
· Two women and a scalpel – Dr. Boswell and Anna Loizeaux

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