HUMANE SOCIETY FACTS AND FIGURES

• Founded in 1953, The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County is an open admission shelter and accepts all animals, including farm animals and wildlife, brought to us by the public or under our contract with Indian River Animal Control. Last year we attended to the needs of over 7,820 animals and this year we estimate we will assist over 8,400 animals.
• We are a non-profit organization with our own support foundation.  Seventy six percent of our operation revenue comes from private donations, fund raising activities, and revenues from our Thrift and Gift Shops. Our annual operating budget is exceeds $3 million and the Humane Society is debt free.
• Our facilities (2 large buildings, a barn, and exercise fields) are on 38 acres and we are proud of being recognized and heralded nationally as an example of a state of the art shelter operation.
• In addition to 45 paid full-time employees, the shelter has 3 veterinarians to oversee its health and wellness issues for shelter animals as well as service our community wellness clinic.
• Shelter volunteers are very important.  Over 350 form the backbone of our organization, volunteering 55,150 hours of TLC a year.
• Upon admission, each animal gets a complete check-up, is bathed, has a medical work-up along with blood testing, receives appropriate vaccinations and shots, is given a behavior evaluation, and subsequently, spayed and neutered.
• Our adoption process is thorough and includes information regarding the animal’s behavior and health needs which are directed by our professional staff.  The matching of a pet’s personality to his adopting owner’s personality and his/her pet expectations has proven an extremely effective tool for successful adoptions.
• Our comprehensive community outreach provides valuable services for Indian River residents, including an on-site animal wellness clinic, education programs for youth and adults, pet therapy and training, private euthanasia services, and an aggressive spay/neuter program. We help support low income pet owners with veterinary needs. Last year our clinic helped more than 2,400 animals with basic vaccinations and medical care, most of which had never been to a vet before. We sterilized more than 1,600 publicly owned animals, preventing what could have been more than 13,000 unwanted offspring in just one year.
• Our Shelter animals require 200,000 pounds of dog food a year, 500 cases of cat food a month, 50 lbs. of kitty litter a day, 50 milk bones an hour along with a lot of hay and grain.   500 clean dog towels are used a day and one full-time person continually operates our commercial laundry, just to keep up with our clean towel needs.  
• We advocate against all animal cruelty. Our in-house cruelty specialists investigate over 100 cruelty complaints a year and oversees dozens of cruelty cases processed through the legal system.

Our Vision Statement

The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, FL, Inc. enhances the quality of life in our community through compassionate services to animals and people.

Our Mission Statement

The Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County, FL, Inc. makes a better community for its people and animals by:

• Providing humane care and shelter for homeless animals.
• Placing adoptable pets in permanent loving homes.
• Promoting spaying and neutering of companion animals.
• Promoting responsible pet ownership and the respect for all life through humane education.
• Protecting animals from cruelty.
• Pledging to be advocates for animal protection.