MISSION STATEMENT

The mission statement of the Placencia Humane Society is Helping People Help Animals.  In support of our mission, we hold the following as the core values of the Placencia Humane Society.

• Together we hold central the welfare and care of animals.

• Together we are compassionate and empathetic in every decision and interaction.

• Together we are fiscally responsible and accountable.

• Together we commit to honesty and integrity.

• Together we stand behind our work.

• Together we embrace constructive change.

• Together we lead by example and with excellence.

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President’s Annual Report
Mary Smith
President:  October 27, 2010 to October 27, 2011

 

The 2010-2011 term has been both rewarding and challenging for everyone involved with PHS.

The big news, of course, is achieving our 13-year dream of having our own PHS clinic and office building, which was dedicated on Saturday, 22 October 2011  So many people from the Placencia community and abroad gave their time, labor and funds to help us reach this goal – we thank them all from the bottom of our hearts. 

But, we would also like to give special thanks to the following individuals who went above and beyond the call of duty in making the clinic a reality:

·         Stan Smith, Fred Fuller, Keith Kaye, Doran Yount, John Van Deurzen and Bill Sylvestor who formed our building committee and put together a team of exceptional volunteers

·         Franco Gentile and Mariuccia Levoni who gave PHS a long-term, almost no-cost lease for the land on which the clinic is located.

·         Dr. Michael DeShield and Miriam DeShield who helped form the Placencia Humane Society, supported it, and often donated their time and materials to make it a reality.

·         Ms. Marcia Fox who served as PHS President for eight years and brought it from its infancy into its present day incarnation as a fully functioning professional animal care organization.

·         Mary Ann and Keith Kaye who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in fostering and caring for unwanted and often ill dogs and nursing them back to health until they could be adopted into loving homes.

But, of course, in addition to working on our new clinic, we also had to continue our basic mission of caring for the Peninsula’s pets and wild animals – and this term was a very busy one in this respect.  Pet owners from not only the Placencia Peninsula, but also from other areas in Belize, now routinely bring their animals for care at Placencia’s vet clinics – PHS currently sees an average of 20-30 pets per weekend clinic.  (Many, many heartfelt thanks to Pat Sylvester for so capably and reliably managing each PHS clinic – we really don’t know what we would do without her.)

Fortunately, to help lighten the load on just one or two veterinarians, a number of new veterinarians are now working with PHS, which will help us to expand our services and increase the quality of our animal care.   In addition, visiting foreign veterinarians this year played a very important role in helping PHS provide low cost care for pet owners who cannot afford to pay for regular veterinary care.

In addition, PHS is continuing with its Rescue –Adoption Program and I am proud to say we have found happy homes for twenty animals this year.  The Feral Cat program has also been successful in neutering and spaying over thirty feral cats that, if left unneutered could have resulted in literally thousands of new kittens on the Peninsula. 

But, it was not all work – we did manage to have some fun and the social events this past year included the “Fur Ball,” which has become a much anticipated event on the Placencia calendar.  (If you haven’t been to a “Fur Ball’ yet, make sure you make it this year and join in the fun with us.

 

And, of course, none of this would have been possible without our PHS Board members who worked so long and so hard this year, not only on our clinic project, but also in organizing clinics, helping with veterinary emergencies and putting on the fundraisers that have put PHS on a sound financial footing -- Jacque Fuller, Vice President, Penny Dial, Secretary, John Van Deurzen, Treasurer, and Board Members at Large, Madalon Richardson, Cat Harshbarger, and Deb Coston.

Last, but not least, PHS would not exist without our loyal volunteers and donors because PHS operates entirely on donated funds and volunteered time and effort.

 

PHS is a not-for-profit organization, so everyone who helps or donates to PHS is invaluable – we simply wouldn’t be here without them.  I cannot over emphasize this.  Thank you volunteers for supporting PHS in whatever form you do – be it the clinic, fostering abandoned pets, bookkeeping, volunteering at events such as the Placencia Lobsterfest, our annual flea market sale, helping with vet emergencies or continually putting your hands in your pockets to pay for needed supplies – whatever you do, without you, we wouldn’t exist.

 

In sum, 2010-2011 has been a very successful year for PHS, and I am truly proud to have been a part of it.  

 

Finally, my sincere best wishes to the new PHS board of John Van Deurzen, President, Sharon Hughes, Vice President, Jim Mensie, Treasurer, Lisa Macias, Secretary, and Board Members at Large, Doran Yount, Candy Power, Wini Mertens, Pam Thomas and Adrian Vernon. 

Good luck to each and every one of you and all your endeavors to care for the animals of Belize.

Sincerely,

Mary Smith

President 2010-2011