Here we are again—our final newsletter of a very turbulent year. We wish we could say that things are getting easier in the animal welfare world, but they’re not. Shelters and rescues are full of pets being surrendered for a variety of reasons, pet pantry lines extend out the parking lot, and we receive a never-ending supply of applications for people with pets in need. Pretty depressing, right?

Well, as someone who has spent her entire adult life working in this field, my answer is yes and no. Yes, because we hate to see animals lose their homes and lives, and dread the idea of backsliding on the progress made over the last couple of decades. No, because the idea of preventing animals from losing their homes in the first place is beginning to take hold. 

Progress is slow, and the safety net movement within animal welfare, at times, resembles molasses. Focus and funding remain on adoptions as dedicated rescuers seek to once again empty the shelters. But, without addressing the reasons those shelters fill up in the first place, we are destined to repeat this frustrating cycle of adopt, surrender, adopt, surrender, and finally, euthanize.

That said, HHF was fortunate enough to receive funding from new organizations recognizing the importance of prevention, the focus for the Animal Welfare Association of Colorado 2023 conference was on community-based programs for surrender prevention, and even the ASPCA created programs to address these ongoing issues. 

There is light at the end of the tunnel and, we hope you’ll continue to stick by HHF, an early leader in this movement, as we continue to fight to keep pets and people together. Happy Holidays to you all!