HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OHIO VALLEY
Adopt, Rescue, Care
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley was established in Marietta Ohio in 1884 and is the oldest animal welfare organization in Ohio and one of the oldest organizations in the United States. As an animal advocacy and community serving organization, our philosophy regarding the tremendous need to control animal overpopulation has remained unwavering throughout our history. As the only animal shelter in Washington County, we daily receive the abandoned animals surrendered to our shelter and found throughout our communities. We have decreased euthanasia, and continue to do so, but also want to provide enrichment for the animals in our care, in addition to meeting their basic survival and medical needs. We also want to outreach, partner with and educate the citizens in our county to support our cause. Our greatest challenges are lack of space in an older building and small group of dedicated volunteers- too small to conquer all of the tasks needed to see our goals come to reality.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
HSOV Spay/Neuter Program
HSOV Spay & Neuter Program ensures all dogs and cats are spayed or neutered before being adopted into their forever homes.
Senior Foster Program for Bottle Babies
Kittens under 8 weeks old without a mother are fostered by senior citizens in Washington County Nursing Homes. A seasoned volunteer for the shelter partners with a nurse or caregiver, such as a program director, to ensure the kittens and supplies are delivered to the nursing home. The resident senior citizens give bottles to the kittens on a feeding schedule until they are healthy enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted. At that time, another round of kittens can be delivered to the nursing home.
Community Outreach & Education
Board Members, Volunteers and College Students partner with businesses and public schools in Washington County to attend events, classroom or schoolwide programs. HSOV provides education on compassionate pet care, proper care, importance of spay/neutering pets, educational materials and fun activities are shared with students. We take adoptable shelter animals to most of these events.
Dog Walks and Cat cuddles
Volunteers and Board Members walk each dog in the shelter and all cat cages are tidied up and cats are played with or held-their choice! This happens after hours to ensure animal enrichments and increase adoptability.
Low Cost Microchip Clinics
HSOV partners with the local pet store, WeLovPets, to offer low cost microchipping for area dogs and cats.
Community Pet Food Bank
We have partnered with local food banks to offer dog/cat food to families needing help feeding their pets.
Don't Forget the Pets- Community Assistance
Temporary housing of owned animals when needs arise, such as domestic violence, adult protective services assistance, incarceration, rehab. We house owned animals for an overnight or longer (up to 3 weeks) if the owner has an emergent need. This is done on a case-by-case basis as we have room in our shelter.
Where we work
Awards
Community Service Award 2016
Chamber of Commerce
HSOV shelter Dog named Rescue of the Year 2021
Pedigree
Petco Love Award 2022
Petco
Pet Adoption Grant Award 2022
Petfinder/KIA
Platinum Transparency 2018
Candid
Platinum Transparency 2019
Candid
Platinum Transparency 2020
Candid
Platinum Transparency 2021
Candid
Platinum Transparency 2022
Candid
No Kill Certificate 2022
Best Friends Network
Affiliations & memberships
Best Friends Animal Society 2020
Bissell Pet Foundation 2018
Chewy Shelter Partner 2019
Ohio Pet Fund 2019
Million Cat Challenge 2018
Lost Pets USA 2018
Bissell Pet Foundation 2018
Maddie's Fund 2017
Kuranda Beds Shelter Program 2019
Portalmania Million Cat Challenge 2020
Fear Free 2020
Dogs play for Life 2016
Nylabone 2020
Marietta Community Foundation 2015
Friends of Felines 2013
Jordans Way 2022
Jackson Galaxy 2022
Cuddley 2022
Wag 2022
Ohio Animal Welfare Federation 2020
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of animals spayed and neutered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
HSOV Spay/Neuter Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The voucher program was replaced by requiring all adopted animals to be spayed/neutered before leaving the shelter. *Note: 2020 & 2021 numbers are unusually low due to covid pandemic & vet shortages
Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Dog Walks and Cat cuddles
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
NOTE: Covid GREATLY affected Volunteer hours in 2020
Number of spay/neuter vouchers issued
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
HSOV Spay/Neuter Program
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Vouchers were done away with. All adopted animals are now spayed and neutered before leaving the shelter with their adopters. We do try to help the public if they come and ask for help with S/N
Number of Facebook followers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Community Outreach & Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of vaccines administered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
2020 was lower due to the covid pandemic
Number of released animals
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/034e40_19c33c02768a43109757166db54f1bf0.pdf Intake was down, so release was down
Number of animals rehomed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of animals euthanized
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Community Outreach & Education
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
*2020 was low due to the covid pandemic. **Total # includes dogs ordered euthanized by sheriff/dog warden because of bites/deemed dangerous and animals in poor health coming in from hoarding cases.
Number of animals rescued
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
2020 & 2021 were affected by the covid pandemic and shut down
Number of sheltered animals
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Social and economic status
Related Program
Community Pet Food Bank
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
Numbers were down in 2020 & 2021-thankfully- due to covid, fosters, intake diversion and food banks.
Number of animals returned to their owner
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Low Cost Microchip Clinics
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of animal adoptions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Community Outreach & Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
*2020 & 21 greatly affected by Covid
Number of animals monitored post release
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Community Outreach & Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of dogs walked daily by our volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Dog Walks and Cat cuddles
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The purpose of the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley shall be to promote the welfare of the animals within greater Washington County, Ohio in the following manner:
Provide a safe haven for stray, lost and /or abused animals through operating an animal shelter.
Educate the Communities served by the Society on the need for humane care of animals, the need for animal population control, the relief of animal suffering, and the services offered by the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley.
Investigate and prosecute complaints of animal abuse and neglect as permitted by the Ohio Revised Code.
Provide for the adoption of animals by people who can demonstrate that they will provide care consistent with the purposes of the Society.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
HSOV Spay & Neuter Program assures all adopted dogs and cats are spayed/neutered before leaving the shelter. Our Microchip clinics help with pet retention, community education and outreach. Volunteer programs train for animal enrichment and exercise, Foster and rescue programs help avoid overcrowding and euthanasia, community outreach and education partners us with local businesses, families and schools to gain support through fun activities and educational materials we distribute. We are recognizing volunteers and thanking them, along with staff. We are slowly growing our volunteer base, but continue to lose others due to burnout of working themselves too hard trying to accomplish our goals. We are learning how to pace ourselves and help each other more each year. We are researching ways to increase the space we have and/or better utilize it. We have plans to build a 'Catio' for cat enrichment.
In 2020, When Covid affected the economy, we grew our pet food bank by partnering with local food pantries and taking them cat/dog food to give to people facing hard times and at risk of surrendering their pet to the shelter. We also did a foster/adoption push and got many dogs and cats into homes. The remaining were treated to added enrichment activities. We have kept this going into 2021 to keep pets in loving homes when possible.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Local Veterinary Hospitals &/or Low- Cost Clinics alter our cats/dogs before adoption (we do not have an in-house vet at this time). We are also working with the vets to come into the shelter weekly to assess and treat our animals and give recommendation of treatment. Volunteers, staff and management work together to track behavior and overall health of animals. Dogs are color coded on a white board displayed in the kennel room. Changes in behavior or health are noted and addressed. Dogs & Cats are photographed and promoted by volunteers to local adopters and rescues. Volunteers help transport incoming bottle baby kittens to senior nursing homes involved in the fostering program. This has all generated more community support and interest, increasing our volunteer and foster base and reducing euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals
Adopt a thons, weekly dog walks, partnering with local businesses for support-financially and finding our animals homes. Volunteers also reach out to rescues and drive transport if an animal is chosen for rescue. Some of the core volunteers were elected to our Board of Directors, which created a blend of local business owners and volunteers with an invested interest in the success of the programs. Staff and volunteer support is increasing as we build programs together.
Community donations help with food for the pet food bank.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In 2015, 941 dogs and 817 cats were brought to our shelter seeking care. Of those animals, 924 dogs and 745 cats were either returned home, or found forever homes through adoptions or rescue. Our numbers in 2016, were 880 dogs and 700 cats taken in, with 846 dogs and 653 cats sent to rescue, adopted or returned to owners. In 2017, 790 dogs came to our shelter and 870 cats. 756 dogs and 758 cats were reclaimed, adopted and rescued.
In our efforts to prevent the overpopulation of animals within our community, every animal that is adopted from our shelter is spayed/neutered. A microchip is also placed in every dog that comes in. This helps increase reclaims.
Our Humane Officer serves the community by investigating cases of abuse and neglect of animals
We have slowly grown our volunteer base and are trying to retain and gain new volunteers.
In 2016, we were presented the 'Community Service Award' from the Muskingum Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.
Euthanasia has decreased over the past few years (with the exception of cats in 2017) due to spay and neuter, community education, adoption, foster and rescue programs and managed intake on cats when possible. We have expanded our social media advertising and community outreach has been extended to all towns in our large county. We attend training and share information, and join National groups to help us keep up with current life saving trends.
Building improvements have been done in 2018 to help the dogs and cats be more comfortable and easier to see when adopters come to visit. A new transport van was purchased for rescue and veterinarian transports.
More community outreach & customer service improvements are goals for 2021.
Covid has added trials- but we embraced the foster trend in 2020 and placed several animals into homes. We took advantage of the PPP loans to help, also. We learned to turn the challenges into positives- and have kept some of the changes that helped us get through it- like managed admissions. 2021 brought challenges with limited staffing, rising cost of living inflation and a critically full shelter, no matter how many adoptions we have.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild 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.
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OHIO VALLEY
Board of directorsas of 02/19/2024
Amber Dennison
Greenleaf Landscapes, Inc
Term: 2023 - 2025
Michael Miller
State of WV, Tourism
Term: 2023 - 2024
Amber Dennison
Greenleaf Landscapes
Michele Newbanks
Marietta City Clerk of Council
Michael Miller
State of WV, Tourism
Tammy Bates
Washington County Treasurer
Tracy Tynans
Westbrook Health Services
John Tynans
Marietta College
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes