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2022 Year In Review

2022 Year in Review

2022 was a very busy year. We saw an increase in returns this year and a slowdown in adoptions. Our staff has been working long, hard hours as we have been below staffing levels for several months. It has been hard to find employees during this time of very low employment. A lot of animal rescue organizations are finding it hard to attract amazing talent. Even with these headwinds we were able to accomplish so much as a team. Below is an overview of the accomplishments of our staff, volunteers, adopters, donors, rescue partners and community in 2022 –

Animals –

  • We processed 283 dog adoptions and 138 cats/kittens adoptions – a total of 421 animals which is down from 432 in 2021.
  • 12 dogs were adopted after completing treatment for heartworm disease.
  • 15 senior dogs (8 years old or older) found their forever homes.
  • 8 FIV positive cats were saved from shelters – 5 have been adopted. We have work to do here to spread the word that FIV cats can live long and healthy lives and are amazing pets!! Let’s double this number next year!
  • Reduced length of stay for dogs by 11 days and cats by 16 days from the 2021 average. 

Animal Care Successes –

  • Our new behavior program kicked off with Positive Dog Solutions (PDS). A core group of staff and volunteers participated in several virtual sessions to learn all about animal behavior and training. PDS helped Megan McNickle, FOHA Program Manager, to revamp our doggy social program and launch our volunteer dog behavior training program. 
  • Dog Walking Volunteers have gone through 4 levels of dog behavior training. The final 3 levels are set to launch in early 2023. Training helps us to work with each dog to increase their chances for adoption
  • 10 Diamond Dogs, long stay dogs, found their forever homes in 2022. 
  • Short term foster care was very successful at the end of this year. We have a new Short Term Foster Care Coordinator and are looking to revamp the program in 2023 to increase the number of dogs that get a chance to relax in a home for a short period of time so we can get to know them better and we can work to reduce their stress levels. 
  • Launched cat and dog adoption events at Petco in Leesburg. An animal has received and activated adoption at each event to date. 
  • Created a kitten room onsite at the shelter to have kittens available (3 months or older) for potential adopters to meet when they come to visit. Many have been adopted very quickly. 
  • Launched a safety audit and had an external partner come and assess our safety procedures to further reduce incidents with animals and volunteers, staff or visitors. 

Technology –

  • Migrated all adoption processes to ShelterLuv. We are now able to complete adoptions via text messaging and are able to collect adoption fee payments quickly and allow for adopters to cover processing fees and add additional donation amounts. 
  • Partnered with Galaxy Digital for our new Volunteer Management System. Setups are almost complete and we hope to launch this to volunteers in January. 
  • Launched our online merchandise store.
  • Migrated time tracking for employees to ADP Time Management. 

Volunteers –

  • Monthly enrichment activities are scheduled for volunteers to help us make all of the supplies needed to give cats and dogs daily enrichment. 
  • 265 new dog walkers were trained and 116 new cat snugglers were trained.

Development/Fundraising –

  • Awarded 3 grants – Pedigree, Grey Muzzle and Petco Grant
  • 3 successful fundraising appeals, 2 giving days and 2 very successful auctions were completed
  • We hired Heather Lucas as a Development Contractor to help grow and diversify our income streams to allow us to meet our mission. 
  • Tails to Trails team and many from FOHA “Ran the Greenway” again in May, bringing in much-needed funds for the dogs and cats
  • Our 50 Years of FOHA Calendar contest and sales were a great success this fall. If you still want a calendar we have some at the Shelter and the Treasure Hound!
  • Our donors gave a record amount this year and the Treasure Hound had an amazing year thanks to all of you!

Facilities –

  • Our Site Plan for all 40 acres is complete!
  • We are interviewing architectural firms to kick off a project to replace our existing catteries and build a building that addresses some of our greatest needs. 
  • Completely new septic field was installed behind the upper kennels. We are now in compliance with Loudoun County!
  • Purchased a new industrial washing machine to replace the one that went kerplunk. 
  • Installed a new heat pump in the Welcome Center.
  • All three of our vehicles required extensive repairs this year. 

Staffing –

  • Hired Ashley Tanner as our Medical Manager. She is a licensed vet tech.
  • Hired Laura Eddy as our Operations Manager.
  • Promoted Brandon Vale to Facilities Specialist.

What to look for in 2023 –

  • It is our 50th Anniversary!! We will be launching a new logo for the year and many fun activities to celebrate 50 Years of FOHA!!
  • We will have a 50th Anniversary event in October of this year to celebrate. More information to come soon! If you love to plan a good party, please email heatherlucas@foha.org if you would like to help!
  • Develop a design for our new building and launch a capital campaign to raise the necessary funds.
  • Continue to increase adoptions – maybe hit 500 adoptions!
  • Launch our Corporate Sponsorship Program! If your company would like to be a Corporate Sponsor through our 50th Anniversary Year, please check our website for more information. 
  • Fully launch our Volunteer Management System.
  • Train all dog walking volunteers on our behavior program.
  • Continue to expand our volunteer program with a special focus on our Cat Volunteers.

Everyone has put their hearts and souls into making FOHA the best temporary home for our animals. Your dedication to the animals and the mission of FOHA is amazing. Thank you to everyone that has made this another very successful year!

-Alison Maurhoff, Executive Director