1. The Mitchell Building, a new medical isolation building for cats and kittens was installed, equipped and is fully operational
2. Hired an Executive Director, Jill Franklin Gooch.  She has done a great job in one year of cost control, volunteer outreach, member communications and more recently staff supervision.
3. Kept adoption rates on pace with previous years despite the economy.  177 cats and 351 dogs found homes through our adoption program.  We took in 628 animals total in 2009, over 17% more than last year!
4. Established our own spay/neuter fund known as SNAP with a realistic needs-based application.  SNAP plus grants funded the spay/neuter of 109 dogs and cats last year.
5. Community Pet Food Pantry established with reasonable means-test, tracking that includes spay/neuter status of recipient animals.  We fed 1897 dogs and cats through this Food Pantry for needy pets.
6. Total animals helped is over 2600 !!  That doesn’t even count the reunited lost & found pets we facilitated, a few extreme medical emergencies we covered for owned pets and counseling that helped a few animals stay in their homes.
7. Regular, reliable pickups from pet food distributors and a steady stream of public donations keep our Pet Food Pantry stocked on a much more reliable basis.
8. Instrumental in getting anti-tethering ordinance passed in Forsyth County
9. Actively involved with the county commissioners in search for county animal shelter solution
10. We have a real newsletter that goes out on monthly basis!
11. Adoption Center deferred maintenance caught up

• Doors painted with special formula to withstand heavy use, no cost
• Cat shelving repainting with disease-resistant coating, no cost
• Parking lot and driveway repaved, expanded
• Dog kennel supports reinforced, avoiding paw injuries & medical expense
• Dog kennel flooring tiles installed, paid for by grant from Petco Foundation
• Dog building air conditioner replaced after costly failures and repairs
• Mulch replaced in play yards and front flower beds, ongoing source of free much obtained
• New high efficiency, large capacity washer and dryer is handling the large amount of laundry we do daily, targeted donations

12. Fencing installed around front of property, increasing safety

13. One additional dog play yard added to left side of adoption center

14. Grading and initial clearing done for walking paths behind adoption center

15. Comprehensive new Employee Handbook created, reviewed and implemented

16. Feral Cat Program plan for independence defined.  We are assisting this subsidiary program in obtaining their own 501(c)(3) status and continued our financial support of them in 2009

17. Key technology upgrades and advances a little or no cost:

• High speed internet
• Enhanced email system
• Automated voice mail system
• Secure wireless connectivity available at the adoption center

18. Automated shelter software installed (Animal Shelter Manager – ASM) and working well.  No cost for the software, customization skills in-house

• Database of prior years converted, not lost
• Remote user capability in place

19. Complete rework of our forsythpets.org website.  We get constant compliments on this great new website.

20. The Thirty Dollar Fence program created with reasonable application and administration process (our commitment in support of the anti-tethering ordinance passage).

21. Tripled the number of pet trainers and veterinarians offering discounted services to Humane Society animals.

22. Significantly increased visibility in the community with regular newspaper, magazine and online feature articles about our cause.

23. Detailed data entry of medical bills for 2009.  Will provide an invaluable resource for targeting reductions in our single biggest cost area.

24. Added ability to perform more medical procedures in-house

• Microscope and associated supplies
• Experienced vet tech is now onsite daily, making us able to do more of our own procedures
• Medical treatment room in Mitchell Building available for quarantine use

25. Donation and Membership tracking processes are now operating smoothly, but continuous improvement underway

26. Holding Adoption Events every weekend, often both days.  This is a huge commitment and coordinating feat.

27. First-time fund raisers added:  Ruff and Purr Ride for Life and No-Flea Market and Holiday Mailer

28. Our banner fund raisers:  Wags & Whiskers and Bark and Boogie Ball exceeded last year’s income even in this tough economy.  That is incredible.

29. Increased the hours our adoption center is open to the public to 1 to 5 pm DAILY and staffing schedule improved to ensure 2 employees available during hectic public open hours

30. Special medical needs animals helped, not turned away:  Rudy/Cooper, Rusty/Cataracts, Sammy/Diabetes Insipidus, FeLV mom and kittens, Oliver and Leona FIV, numerous 3-legged dogs and cats (Chester,Spitfire,Sheri’s 3-legged, Dudley, Rocky), heartworm positive dogs, Trooper and Molly hit by cars, a new senior dog with diabetes this week, and the list grows daily …

31. A new coordinator for Humane Hearts has stepped up and we are thrilled the program is up and running again

32. This year we’ve somehow also managed to help guinea pigs, ferrets, a parrot, a box turtle and a peacock

33. With all of this activity, we have a total 2009 income of 313,377.67, total expenses 314,905.48 with a net negative of only 1,527.81.  That is a wonderful accomplishment for a non-profit in these economic times.  We could not have done it without all of you opening your hearts, homes and pockets to animals in need.

YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.  WE APPLAUD YOU ALL!  ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BUT A TEAM CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS!