The Mesabi Humane Society

Opt to Adopt

aka Mesabi Humane Society   |   Virginia, MN   |  https://www.mesabihumanesociety.org/

Mission

Our mission is to promote humane animal treatment through sheltering, alteration, adoption, and community education.

Ruling year info

2018

Shelter Manager/Director

Mary Stocco

Main address

2305 Southern Drive

Virginia, MN 55792 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

41-1341552

NTEE code info

Animal Protection and Welfare (includes Humane Societies and SPCAs) (D20)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2022, 2021 and 2020.
Register now

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Two shelters in nearby communities have closed for lack of funding. Our county/city contracts cover only 37% of our operating costs; thus our primary goal is to ensure our financial sustainability, with a longer term goal of building a new, larger shelter. 2018 marked our 40th anniversary, and our building (30 years old) shows its age and needs considerable improvement. Between now and the day we build an entirely new shelter, we need to make significant improvements to our current building. We provide animal control services for an area of 6860 square miles in St Louis County, MN. Much of this area is rural and we deal with many hoarding situations. Most recently, we recovered 120 cats from a single hoarding home and barn. Even with foster support, this stretches our facility and resources beyond capacity at times. As the only local shelter that does not refuse animals due to age or physical condition, our veterinary costs are a huge part of our budget - and not easily predicted.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Animal Control

We cover more than 6800 square miles of St Louis County and provide animal control services to many communities.

Population(s) Served

Once a month we provide round-trip transportation to Duluth, MN for low cost spay/neuter for pets owned by families in northeastern Minnesota.

Population(s) Served

We sponsor the MN SNAP truck at least twice yearly. The truck comes to our site and provides spay and neuter surgeries for the pets of those with limited incomes.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Since we don't turn away animals for age or health issues, as do most animal shelters that claim to be "no kill," we are truly a rescue organization. We provide medical/S/N/vaccination services, love, and attention for the dogs and cats in our care and, in most cases, we are able to socialize feral cats, so that they move to loving forever homes.

We are trying to educate those in our towns and rural areas about the value of spay/neuter/vaccination. This includes providing transportation to low-cost S/N facilities for local pet owners and sponsoring the MN SNAP truck, so that low-income pet owners can have their animals spayed and neutered and vaccinated at our shelter. We also hope to reduce the number of birth defects and other issues caused by inbreeding through our school education programs incorporating a new board game we have created called Opt to Adopt. We also want to develop additional educational materials for school programs and visitors/students who come to the shelter.

1 New programs/products/partnerships to expand visibility, memberships, & lower costs
In addition to our traditional events & fundraising activities, we are adding new activities & products, including a 2019 Cat and Dog calendar and playing card deck with winning pet photos. We are developing "Opt to Adopt," an educational shelter board game.
Mesabi Humane Society Week in April had one-two events daily, including concerts, dinner, Shred-it-Truck, mobile adoption, volunteer appreciation breakfast, etc. We are getting more written and TV press to raise awareness.

2 Improved website
Families who adopt our animals come from as far as 200 miles - often after a friend brings us an animal other shelters have refused, or they see their perfect family addition on our website. We need to change our website platform to incorporate additional, needed features.

3 Board development-to build skills for now and the future.

4 Shelter remodel to improve the facility for our cats, dogs, and staff.

1 Our shelter staff are extremely resourceful in stretching dollars to care for our cats and dogs. Mary, who heads the shelter continues to build partnerships with local businesses, pet supply companies, & local governments. One board member is an experienced game and learning tool developer and is leading our design team to develop Opt to Adopt, a family board game designed to educate students, parents, & families about cats/dogs & their care, volunteering, shelters, etc.

2 A local company provides web support and will rebuild our website on an improved platform
Improved website

3 We have current & prior board members who are experienced facilitators and knowledgeable about human resources; some run their own businesses and can help develop new board members

4 Shelter remodel efforts are supported by local members & volunteers; some commercial organizations have reduced their fees to help us.

The shelter began partnering with a new vet tech program an hour from our site. In 2018 the program provided medical exams, behavior analysis, microchips & vaccinations & will begin spay/neuter surgeries in 2019. Although the program doesn't operate in the summer, it is a wonderful resource. Our calendar contest has ended; the card decks are manufactured & the calendars are ordered. Opt to Adopt, nearing completion, has gone through preliminary beta testing. Next we will look for financial, distribution, & retail partners so we can manufacture the game and provide it at low cost to other shelters for their own use in education/fundraising.

Our website was redone in 2017 by college students for class credit. Next will be improvements.

An external facilitator has volunteered to work with the board

Dog kennels were sealed to better protect the animals in winter; ventilation system was improved. Next we need to revamp the entry/front office & provide seating for our human visitors.

Financials

The Mesabi Humane Society
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

The Mesabi Humane Society

Board of directors
as of 11/07/2018
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Ms. Linda Scott

Up North Title

Term: 2018 - 2021

Elizabeth N Treher

Lasting Perception, LLC

Kathy Wiegert

Carol Norman

Nancy Andrews

Robert Pulford