HART for Animals, Inc.

HART's goals are:

1. Saving the lives of adoptable animals through rescue and transport, rehabilitation, and adoption.

2. Reducing pet overpopulation through low-cost spaying and neutering.

3. Building and operating a humane animal adoption center.

4. Encouraging community involvement in responsible pet ownership.

5. Reducing the incidence of animal abuse and neglect in our region, through example, education and intervention.

In 2006, HART developed a plan that consisted of the following strategies:

1. FUNDRAISING: In a low-population rural community such as Garrett County, the first challenge was to develop a comprehensive fundraising plan to build a facility. This was an important consideration since the county did not have the funds or the community support to improve the current county shelter. The strategy for fundraising was based on developing a recognizable brand, hiring an architect to create renderings of the facility so people could visualize the objective, and conducting mailing campaigns and events for ten years. An important element of fundraising was the support of the local government, which donated the land on which the facility was constructed.

2. A SOLID BUSINESS PLAN: Before writing the business plan, the core volunteers researched similar nonprofits to determine what had worked or failed to work for them. Our research demonstrated that many of the animal facilities encountered difficulties if they depended solely on donations and grants. In many instances, the organizer of the nonprofit was driven by compassion but lacked the staff or the knowledge to sustain an ongoing operation. HART had to be able to provide services that would create revenue to pay the key operating expenses: salaries and facility costs.

3. A WORKABLE OPERATING MODEL: The HART Center was opened in segments, depending on the availability of funds. To make the segments work individually and jointly, it was necessary to establish protocols and procedures and train the staff and the volunteers to follow them. This was accomplished by creating Standard Operating Procedures for each work area. The first areas opened were the revenue-producing areas: the veterinary clinic, the pet boarding area, and the groomer. The last and largest section to be completed was the Adoption Wing, where the adoptable animals are sheltered until they are adopted. They also receive veterinary care, behavior modification, playtime, and temperament evaluation through our HART to HEART program.

4. SUSTAINABILITY: Now that the facility is completed and in full operation, the most important element is working to ensure its sustainability. This work involves continuing to raise funds on a systematic basis, establishing a reserve, implementing a donor management system, and applying for grants that will support the charitable programs. As previously mentioned, the revenue generated by the animal services supports staff salaries and the basic facility expenses. Everything else - Rescue, sheltering, adoption, low-cost and no-cost spay/neuter, public education, and animal rehabilitation and behavior modification - is financed with grants and donations.

1. HART has a staff of 38 employees. The staff of the Adoption Wing and the pet boarding area work in three shifts under the supervision of the work area managers, starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 9 p.m. when the security guard arrives. Management consists of the Executive Director, experienced in managing and fundraising, an Administrator, and the work area managers.

2. The work area managers have various specialties, including veterinary medicine, animal behavior, animal adoption, and animal husbandry.

3. We have close to 250 volunteers dedicated to the cause. We have a volunteer coordinator who recruits, trains and certifies all volunteers. By utilizing a three-part training course, HART ensures the safety and involvement of all participants.

4. We have raised the funds and carried out the construction of a $3.5 million animal center, with our own resources. We have retired business owners who work pro bono for HART and are actively involved in running the daily operations.

5. We have the full support of the county government and other nonprofit organizations.

6. We created a business plan that employed good management practices in order to achieve our charitable goals. For example, every section of the HART Center has its own standard operating procedures, which are updated on an annual basis.

Our accomplishments:

1. As of February, 2022, we have saved the lives of 11,929 animals.
2. We raised $3.5M and built the HART Animal Center, which is a state-of-the-art animal facility, and we have operated it since it opened in 2014.
3. We have performed a total of 12,217 low-cost and no-cost spay/neuter surgeries (as of February 2022).
4. We employ a staff of 36 people, which is a major benefit to an area of the country that is still suffering the delayed effects of the 2008 recession.
5. We have created an animal adoption facility that is welcoming to potential adopters, children, parents, schools - all of whom feel proud that HART built this facility in their community at this time.

Still need to accomplish:

Secure consistent funding to​ make sure that the HART Center can support itself now and in the future.