Supporting Animal Welfare Join the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter
The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter is a non-profit animal welfare organization located in Manchester, New Hampshire. It was founded in 1996 with the goal of providing care and shelter to stray, abandoned, and abused animals in the greater Manchester area. The shelter provides a safe haven for cats and dogs until they can be adopted into loving homes. There are many ways to support the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter, including volunteering, fostering, adopting, donating, and participating in community events.
History of Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter
The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter was established in 1996 by a group of dedicated volunteers who wanted to make a difference in the lives of homeless animals in the Manchester area. The shelter started as a small, volunteer-run operation, but over the years it has grown into a thriving organization that has helped thousands of animals find their forever homes.
The shelter offers a wide range of services to the community, including low-cost spay and neuter programs, education programs, and pet adoption events. They also work closely with local law enforcement agencies to investigate cases of animal abuse and neglect.
How to Volunteer at Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter
Volunteering at the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter is a great way to give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of animals. The shelter relies heavily on the support of volunteers to provide care and attention to the pets in their care. Volunteers are needed to help with everything from cleaning cages and walking dogs to socializing cats and fundraising.
To become a volunteer, you must first attend a volunteer orientation session. These sessions are held regularly throughout the year and provide an overview of the shelter’s policies and procedures. Once you have attended an orientation session, you will be able to sign up for volunteer shifts. Shifts are available seven days a week and range from two to four hours in length.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, or 16 with parental consent. They must also pass a background check and agree to adhere to the shelter’s code of conduct.
Ways to Support Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter
In addition to volunteering, there are many other ways to support the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter. These include:
Donating
The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter relies on donations from the community to provide care and services to the animals in their care. Donations can be made online, by mail, or in person at the shelter. The shelter is always in need of items like food, toys, and bedding, as well as monetary donations to cover medical expenses and other costs.
Fostering
Fostering a pet from the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter is a great way to help an animal in need without committing to a long-term adoption. Foster families provide temporary homes for pets until they are ready to be adopted. The shelter provides all necessary supplies and covers all medical expenses while the animal is in foster care.
Adopting
Of course, one of the best ways to support the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter is by adopting a pet. The shelter has a wide variety of dogs and cats available for adoption, and they work hard to match each animal with the perfect family. All animals are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations, and microchipped before they are adopted.
Fostering a Pet from Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter
Fostering a pet from the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter is a rewarding experience for both the animal and the foster family. The shelter provides all necessary supplies and covers all medical expenses while the animal is in foster care. Foster families are responsible for providing a safe and loving home for the pet, as well as socializing them and helping them get ready for adoption.
To become a foster family, you must first attend a foster orientation session. These sessions are held regularly throughout the year and provide an overview of the foster program and the responsibilities involved. Once you have attended an orientation session, you will be able to sign up for foster opportunities.
Adopting a Pet from Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter
Adopting a pet from the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter is a great way to add a furry friend to your family while supporting animal welfare. The shelter has a wide variety of dogs and cats available for adoption, and they work hard to match each animal with the perfect family. All animals are spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations, and microchipped before they are adopted.
To adopt a pet, you must first fill out an adoption application. The application asks for basic information about your household and lifestyle, as well as your experience with pets. Once your application has been approved, you will be able to meet the animals that are available for adoption and choose the one that is right for you.
Community Events Hosted by Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter
The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter hosts a variety of community events throughout the year to raise awareness about animal welfare and support their mission. Some of the events they host include:
Bark in the Park
Bark in the Park is an annual fundraising event that brings together dogs and their owners for a day of fun activities and games. The event features a 5k run/walk, a dog costume contest, a pet photo booth, and a variety of vendors selling pet-related products.
Kitten Shower
The Kitten Shower is an event held each spring to collect supplies and donations to help care for the influx of kittens that arrive at the shelter during kitten season. The event includes games, raffles, and a chance to meet some of the adorable kittens available for adoption.
Pet Fair
The Pet Fair is an annual event that celebrates all things pets. The fair includes vendors selling pet-related products, demonstrations by local trainers and veterinarians, and a variety of fun activities for pets and their owners.
Partnerships with Local Businesses and Organizations
The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter works closely with local businesses and organizations to promote animal welfare and raise funds for their programs. Some of their partnerships include:
Granite State Dog Recovery
Granite State Dog Recovery is a non-profit organization that helps reunite lost dogs with their owners. The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter partners with Granite State Dog Recovery to provide microchipping and registration services to pet owners at a discounted rate.
Chewy.com
Chewy.com is an online retailer that sells pet-related products. The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter partners with Chewy.com to receive donations of food, treats, toys, and other supplies for the animals in their care.
Educational Programs Offered by Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter
The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter offers a variety of educational programs to teach children and adults about responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. These programs include:
Humane Education Program
The Humane Education Program is a series of workshops and presentations that teach children about animal behavior, care, and welfare. The program is designed to help children develop empathy and compassion for animals.
Pet Loss Support Group
The Pet Loss Support Group is a monthly meeting for pet owners who have lost a beloved pet. The group provides emotional support and resources for coping with grief and loss.
Success Stories and Happy Endings from Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter Adoptions
The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter has helped thousands of animals find their forever homes over the years. Their adoption success stories are a testament to the dedication and hard work of their staff and volunteers. Some of their most heartwarming success stories include:
Boomer
Boomer was a senior dog who was surrendered to the shelter when his owner could no longer care for him. Despite his age, Boomer had a lot of love to give and quickly won the hearts of everyone at the shelter. After several months of waiting for the perfect family, Boomer was finally adopted by a couple who saw his sweet, gentle nature and fell in love.
Jingles
Jingles was a tiny, three-legged kitten who arrived at the shelter with a broken leg. With the help of the shelter’s veterinary team, Jingles received the care she needed to heal and thrive. She was eventually adopted by a family who fell in love with her spunky personality and can-do attitude.
Meet the Staff and Leadership Team at Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter
The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter is led by a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who are passionate about animal welfare. Some of the key members of their leadership team include:
Shelley Greenglass, Executive Director
Shelley Greenglass has been the Executive Director of the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter since 2012. Under her leadership, the shelter has expanded its programs and services to better serve the needs of the community.
Kristin Fanelli, Director of Development and Communications
Kristin Fanelli is responsible for fundraising and communication efforts at the shelter. She works to build relationships with donors and sponsors, as well as promote the mission of the shelter through social media and other channels.
Conclusion
The Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter is an incredible organization that has made a huge impact on the lives of animals in the Manchester area. Whether you’re looking to adopt a pet, volunteer your time, or make a donation, there are many ways to support their important work. By joining the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter, you can be a part of a community that is dedicated to making the world a better place for all creatures, great and small.
