2020: You were a wild one!
From our ‘ohana (family) to yours, all of us at Karma Cat + Zen Dog wish you a very happy New Year! 2020 was certainly a challenging year that none of us are soon to forget, and we are so grateful to all our supporters for their selfless persistence continuing to help homeless animals during a pandemic.
Even on lock-down, we’ve managed to forge new “virtual” relationships as we continue to make a Pawsitive Impact in our community. It is incredible that during this difficult time, we’ve managed to hit a new record number of adoptions, and develop our community TNR program beyond anything we would have dreamed this time last year. Thank you – to each and every volunteer, donor, supporter, adopter, and friend – from the bottom of our hearts, for making this possible in a year like no other!
~Krystal Hasard, Executive Director
Check out the at-a-glance 2020 numbers:
Read on to learn more about each statistic:
200+ TNR’d Cats
In other words, we trapped, neutered, and returned over 200 community (feral) cats! TNR is the most humane and effective way to manage community cat populations. Our Snip + Chip program was once again instrumental in reaching so many community cats this year. This program combined the efforts of colony caregivers/trappers, the People for Animals spay/neuter clinic AND our expanded TNR volunteer team! We also welcomed a new TNR Director to the fold: Rebecca Ruch!
154 Adoption Hours
If you follow us, you’ll recognize that this is an incredibly small number compared to our usual. But we all know what is to blame for the lack of adoption hours: the global pandemic known as COVID19. Read on to see how COVID19 impacted other areas of the rescue’s operations.
37 Shelter Pulls for 154 Total Animals
At Karma Cat + Zen Dog, we prioritize pulling animals from local municipal shelters to give them another chance, and to help shelters be able to take in more animals. Our partnership with the Woodbridge Animal Shelter has continued to grow significantly while we still take animals from a few other municipal shelters. In order to do more, YOU can help by becoming a foster home! Learn more (and apply) here.
132 Volunteers
Even through many months of a pandemic – we have the best volunteers! Along with taking wonderful care of our animals, they also walk together, dine together, craft together, and more! Check out the volunteer opportunities here and join us!
11 Events
Our events are the best, too. We put the “fun” in “fundraising” even during a pandemic – and YOU helped us throughout the entire year! We hope to host the our biggest event, Paws for Celebration, in 2021 but once again COVID19 may dictate.
157 Items Sold
Our shirts are designed by volunteers, come in many different designs, and can be ordered in kids sizes, too! Select designs/styles are available at our Milltown Adopton Center or via PayPal. And you can check out all our other designs here.
692 Social Media Posts
On all our platforms: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Follow us to stay up to date on all the adorable awesomeness. We also love to see YOUR updates about the animals living with you!
13 Blogs Written
And you’re reading the very first for 2021! Volunteer-written, our blogs have become quite popular. Be sure to check out our special series about animals that have been adopted: Adoption Tails. Be sure to check back to stay informed on all things Karma Cat + Zen Dog and pets.
4 TV and Radio Appearances
If you feel like you’ve been hearing about us more than usual, well, you have! We’ve been super lucky to be on MAGIC98.3 and News12 Pet Stop. Click here to view our “In the News” video library featuring many of our media appearances.
But what’s the best part of all this? A record-breaking number of animals adopted: 254!
Thank you for all of your support; we couldn’t do what we do without every single one of our volunteers and supporters. Let’s make 2021 (our 11th year!) just as awesome!
We’d like to end this blog with a note from our Founder (and past Executive Director):
Ten years was a long and amazing haul as Executive Director of this incredible organization. I literally had no idea all the things we would accomplish when this little rescue was started in my basement in 2010! There’s been ups and downs, of course, but we ALWAYS put the animals first. Despite the pandemic, I knew that 2020 was the year that a new energy should take the reins as Executive Director. I’m so proud of the choice that the Board of Directors selected to take my place. Krystal Hasard stepped up and is making strides with existing and new programs while continuing to honor the underpinning values of Karma Cat + Zen Dog Rescue Society: Compassion, Success, Leadership and Transparency. Change can be hard but it’s necessary for growth.
It’s an honor to remain involved in an advisory capacity and I stand in awe of all the things that were accomplished this year for the animals and for our community.
May 2021 bring even more accomplishments along with relief from the pandemic.
~Christie Arlotta, Founder