Great River Rescue

Great River Rescue's Six Strategic Goals are as follows:

• Help the Most Animals
• Highest Quality Care for the Animals
• Positive Financial Health
• Clarity of Purpose
• Positive Image in the Community
• Be a Community Resource

Great River Rescue's Nine Strategies to Achieve our Goals are as Follows:

• Change the Name of the Organization
• Develop Strategic Partnerships
• Increase Marketing and Outreach Activities
• Recruit and Retain Qualified Staff
• Increase Revenue
• Advocate for Animals
• Improve the Facility and Grounds
• Explore New Programs
• Improve the Efficiency of the Organization

Great River Rescue has a variety of resources to allow us to work on our strategies and achieve our goals. First of all, we own our own shelter building which has space for up to 45 cats and 25 dogs at any one time. The facility includes dog and cat kennels, cat rooms, a grooming area, quarantine areas, a storage warehouse, and several outdoor dog pens and exercise areas.

Secondly, the Rescue has access to wide variety of human resources. We have an 8 - 10 member staff to oversee the every day operations of the shelter. We also have a Board of Directors which dictate governance and policy of the organization. Additionally, we have access to hundreds of volunteers who have trained in to do specific shelter tasks.

In 2020, Great River Rescue also acquired the Petfixers Spay/Neuter Assistance Program. Through this program, we now offer low-cost spay/neuter services for low income pet owners and caretakers of feral cats. At each clinic, held monthly, about 60 - 70 animals are spayed or neutered.

Finally, we have a high volume of community supporters. Each year Great River Rescue raises 80 - 100 thousand dollars from community donations, fundraisers, and ongoing projects.

Great River Rescue is making progress in a number of areas outlined in our strategic plan. For example, we have made progress in the following areas:

1. We have established an operating reserve for the organization.
2. We are adopting out animals more quickly than in the past.
3. We have been improving our physical facilities over the past few years.
4. We are conducting more educational outreach than ever before.

On the other hand, there is still much more work to be done. Some of the things we are still working on include:

1. We are trying to build positive partnerships with vet offices and municipalities
2. We are working to improve our financial stability all the time.
3. We are trying to provide more opportunities for children to learn about animal care.
4. We are trying to clarify our purpose in the community.