The economic hardship currently impacting American families has the potential to grow into an animal welfare crisis. Approximately one in every 171 homes in the United States is facing foreclosure. Since an estimated 63% of U.S. households includes a pet, up to one million animal companions are in jeopardy of being without a home.
Many of these pets are relinquished to organizations where they are cared for until a new home is found. Atlanta Humane Society receives an average of 6,000 animals each year for adoption. It’s just the place where life-long animal lover Lisa Fuller would go in search of her next pet companion.
Meet Lisa – an ambassador of animals whose appreciation of and love for furry (and not so furry) friends began with a duck named Quack Quack and a dog named Lucy.
Raised on a working cattle ranch in South Carolina, Lisa has never known a day without animals. With feeding, caring and herding responsibilities since she could walk to the barn, she developed an appreciation for the important role that animals play in our lives. So, it was without hesitation that she answered “Yes!” to the invitation to raise $10 million to support the Atlanta Humane Society’s new Mansell Campus.
“We simply need more space to protect more animals and reach more families – to build lasting, meaningful bonds between people and their pets,” explains Lisa Fuller, chairperson of the Mansell capital campaign for the Atlanta Humane Society. “Every inch of the Howell Mill Campus is put to good use, but more opportunities exist to reach families in the North Fulton region.”
In November, Atlanta Humane Society launched its Mansell Capital Campaign to raise $10 million to build a second facility on Mansell Road in Alpharetta. The organization acquired a former car dealership in April 2011 for $6 million. Following $4 million in construction and renovations, the state-of-the-art facility is set to open December 3.
“Currently, only 5% of adopters at the Howell Mill campus reside in North Fulton County,” states William Shaheen, chairperson, Board of Directors and president-elect of the Atlanta Humane Society. “We see the activity at the new North Fulton campus, along with the expanded availability of the Low Cost Spay/Neuter Program and the Surgical Utility Vehicle, as our opportunity to make a significant impact on reducing the 30,000 animals euthanized annually by animal control facilities in the five-county metro Atlanta region.”
“Mixed breeds are the new pedigree of choice! More and more people are preferring to save a life that’s already here, rather than support the pure-bred puppy mills. Many people think that ‘mutts’ as they’re sometimes referred to, are cuter, smarter and more adorable than any other dogs around!” – Lisa Fuller
Under Fuller’s leadership, the campaign has raised $5.4 million to date thanks to donors such as Anne Cox Chambers, VCA Animal Hospitals and other prominent Atlanta friends of Atlanta Humane Society. Earning the firm’s highest rating, the nonprofit was recently awarded the coveted Four-Star Rating by Charity Navigator in recognition for its good governance and other best practices.
“I cannot think of a better organization to support than Atlanta Humane Society,” exclaims Fuller. “With $0.77 of every dollar raised directly impacting a dog or cat – coupled with the top-ranking by Charity Navigator, donors can be confident knowing their investment is making a difference.”
The new 32,000-square-foot animal rescue and adoption center doubles the organization’s operational size and expands its services and outreach north of Atlanta to establish the largest adoption and spay/neuter facility in the North Fulton region. The state-of-the-art facility features cage-free dog and puppy sections, glassed-wall, free-roaming cat rooms and a one-acre, all-grass dog exercise arena.
“Leading the charge for better lives for our animals has infused my life with great happiness – only to be exceeded by the true love, joy and compassion that has bonded me to the dozens of furry companions that have profoundly impacted my life,” says Fuller. “It’s the joy of animals that makes supporting Atlanta Humane Society a pure pleasure.”