I'm not really sure where to start, accept from the beginning. Rambling at first, but it will make sense by the end.
In February 2006, Almost Home Animal Shelter opened its doors to take in dogs and cats from 7 towns in Camden County. We were operating under the assumption that we were a temporary facility for 18 -24 mnoths while an addition was built to the Camden County Animal Shelter. Once completed, our shelter would close and the county shelter would house the animals from all 9 towns that we do animal control for.
Since then, the economy has continued to worsen. Both the county and local municipal governments area having to cut back on services and employees in order to balance their budget. The addition to the county shelter is no longer a viable option given these circumstances. Because of the economy, the increase of dogs and cats to Almost Home as well as every shelter across the country has skyrocketed due to foreclosures and evictions, as well as people just not being able to afford care for their animals.
Myself and the other shelter directors in Camden County have met with representatives from the county and several towns. Believe it or not, your local government is very concerned with animal sheltering and the increase in the number of stray animals in every community. They want to help by lending some of the resources of the county to the shelters to create programs and services which will help decrease some expenses, decrease the intake of animals and increase adoptions.
One of the long term goals that I have had for Almost Home Shelter is the expansion of our building, which of course isn't possible, but renting an additional building to expand is. In this second building (which would actually be the building at the opposite end from us, it is empty and available) we would have a spay/neuter and low cost vaccination clinic as well as a food pantry.
As most of you know, my daughter Melinda lost her lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis in 2009, at the age of 23. When I began doing animal control, Melinda and I started the Collingswood Stray Animal Fund to help pay for the medical expenses of sick and injured animals who might otherwise be put down if an owner couldn't be found. Melinda was very talented and creative. She was a photographer as well. Melinda took pictures of the animals we fostered while they were sick or injured, then later all the dogs and cats here at Almost Home. Melinda would make collar covers, placemats and bandanas to sell to raise the money for the stray animal fund. She was the photographer for Pet Pictures with the Easter Bunny and Santa. As sick as she was the last few years of her life, she came to the shelter every day to answer phones and help customers.
My goal since she has passed away was to dedicate something to do with animals in her name. With enough support from the public and our local government, my hope is to establish the "Melinda Welsh Memorial Spay/Neuter Clinic." I hope that all of you who are reading this will feel like you have a part in this as well. We appreciate your continued support and will most likely be calling upon you for help as we fundraise and create this clinic. Our "Comedy Night" Fundraiser on June 4 and our bowling fundraiser on May 1 will be the beginning to help us reach our goals. We appreciate all that you all have done to help us and the animals over the last five years and continue to do. Thank you. For more information on the Comedy Night and Bowling, please contact the shelter at (856) 663-3058. We hope you will join us in our journey and we ask that you invite friends and family as well.
If you would like to volunteer and help with the fundraisers, please call us at (856) 663-3058. Thanks again.
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