Shelter seeks ‘guardian angels’ after tough year

Jun 11, 2021

Supporters of the Dartmouth’s Humane Society and Shelter Southcoast have a chance to become guardian angels for the organization, which, like many nonprofits, has faced financial challenges through the pandemic.  

Looking to raise funds for the animals the Dartmouth shelter cares for, signs featuring a paw with a halo and the words “Guardian Angel’’ can be purchased from the organization through a donation of $25 or more.  

“It’s been such a rough year,’’ said Melinda Ventura, the shelter’s executive director. “People really want something to be hopeful about — they really need something to be hopeful about.’’

The overall message of the sign is that donors are serving as guardian angels to the organization by providing financial support.

As she began the campaign, Ventura noticed that the sign represented, for some, a very special sign of loved pets lost and forever “guardian angels.’’ For others, the sign reflected the importance of pets in their lives. 

“Animals need guardian angels,’’ she said. “Our organization needs guardian angels.’’

Support is especially important these days, she added. 

The organization canceled its fundraising gala last year because of Covid. The November gala will also have to be shelved for another year. 

Although pandemic restrictions are lifted, Ventura said uncertainties throughout the year prevented ample planning, but there are hopes to host the event in 2022. 

“We hope to be bigger and better than ever,’’ the shelter director added.

But without the fundraiser, a usually robust source of financial support is gone. 

Along with the galas, the shelter’s usual events were also canceled, including the rabies clinics, Easter basket raffles and the summer kids club, which brings youngsters in during the summer to learn about animal-related careers.

Ventura said the pandemic also brought financial stresses in unexpected ways, such as managing the high cost of critical cleaning supplies.

The shelter remained open throughout the pandemic, with Covid restrictions in place. But some changes were made.

During the pandemic, the shelter suspended the receipt of dogs from out-of-state rescue groups. A reason for this, Ventura noted, is because of the commonwealth’s travel restrictions and to keep the supply of animals relatively low to ensure ample staff could care for them if any staffer got sick.

“We have to care for these animals every day,’’ she said, adding that this includes when the shelter is closed to the public. 

With the limitation on out-of-state dogs, the shelter is not seeing the return of “pandemic pups’’ that others have reported.

What is seen is an influx of senior animals with more extensive medical needs, such as dental work, that must be treated before the animals can be released for adoption. 

Ventura said that makes fundraisers such as the sign project particularly important, adding that she is grateful for the continued support of so many. 

“We’re very blessed to have a lot of long-term supporters,’’ she said. “There are a lot of people who want animals cared for — to have a soft place to land.’’

For more information on the sign project, visit the humane society’s website at hsssc.org or call the shelter at (508) 995-6661.