Dear Supporters,

At the Humane Society of Forsyth County (HSFC), we’re often asked a heartfelt, honest question when fundraising for a life-saving surgery:

“Why spend $5,000 on one dog or cat when that money could help save so many others?”

It’s a fair question rooted in compassion. We wrestle with it too. The reality is, we live in a world where not every animal can be saved, and that truth weighs on us every single day.

But here’s what guides us: when we say yes to a pet, we make them a promise. A promise to do everything we can to give them not just any second chance, but the kind that leads to a healthy, happy life in a forever home.

We don’t take that lightly.

Behind every emergency surgery, every specialized treatment, and every long-haul recovery story is a team making thoughtful decisions. Our rescue process begins long before an animal ever walks through our doors. We’re selective in the pets we pull from overcrowded shelters. We assess their needs carefully, knowing that space, funding, and time are all limited resources.

If we have the capacity to repair a painful cherry eye, absorb the costs of an orthopedic surgery for a dog or cat that has been hit by a car, or invest in behavioral training for a dog with a rough past, we say yes. If we’re stretched thin because of other complex cases, we hold off. We plan. We prepare.

But sometimes, we’re hit with the unexpected. A puppy with an intestinal blockage. A kitten born with a rare chest deformity. A young male cat who suddenly can’t urinate and requires immediate intervention to survive. These are the moments where we lean on clear, consistent criteria to guide our decisions:

• Will this pet survive and thrive after treatment?
• Would the vet recommend this same treatment for their own pet?
• Will this animal be adoptable?
• Will they require lifelong, costly care we can’t responsibly support?

If the answers line up, and we can make it work, we step up. Because we’re not just here to save the easy ones. We’re here for the fighters. The overlooked. The ones no one else is coming for.

We know these decisions are difficult, but they’re possible because of your trust, your support, and your belief in what second chances can look like. We never forget that.

That’s why we work hard to be transparent and fiscally responsible. In 2024, 73 cents of every dollar went directly to lifesaving programs and the animals we serve. Your generosity makes this work possible, and we’re proud to be accountable stewards of that trust.

So when someone asks us why we spend $5,000 on one rescue, we say this: because that one dog or cat matters. Because second chances, especially the hard ones, are what we’re all about.

Thank you for helping us keep that promise.
Justine Daniel, Chief Operating Officer