Overview and History of the Organization
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue Inc. – Organized January 26, 2009.
Mission - “Save as many dogs as possible from inevitable euthanasia.”
About the Rescue
There are millions of dogs around the country who find their way to shelters that cannot sustain the population of unwanted and discarded dogs. These shelters hold the dogs temporarily while hoping to adopt them to responsible owners. Unfortunately, because there are not enough willing adopters, thousands of perfectly healthy, well-behaved dogs are euthanized every day. This is where Helping Hounds Dog Rescue (HHDR) steps in. HHDR attempts to provide permanent stays of execution for adoptable dogs by bringing them to Central New York, providing housing as well as emotional, medical and behavioral support while finding suitable “forever homes.”
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) New York not-for-profit corporation that offers temporary placement in our kennel or in foster homes for dogs that were otherwise destined for euthanasia. HHDR actively seeks permanent homes for each dog accepted into the program. All types and breeds of dogs from around the country are transported to Central New York; local dogs whose owners can no longer care for them are also accepted into the Rescue. Dogs enter the program based on their adoptability and space available at the kennel. Once accepted, they are provided with all necessary and age appropriate medical care, including vaccinations, heartworm testing (treatment if necessary) and spaying/neutering. They are photographed and then posted on PetFinder and our web site. Adopters are provided with medical records and any available biographical information. HHDR is a no-kill rescue, but is sadly limited to the number of dogs that can be accepted due to space and staffing limitations. When a dog does get adopted, it opens a spot for another dog to be saved. As of December 31, 2011, 1800 dogs had been rescued by Helping Hounds. More detailed information can be found by visiting the organization’s web site (www.rescuehounds.com).
The Rescue maintains a kennel facility at 6606 Kenne Road, Dewitt, New York. The leased building, which was vacant for a significant period of time before HHDR moved in on June 13, 2010, is on the grounds of the Shoppingtown Mall.
The organization is managed by its President and Secretary, neither of whom receive any compensation for their services. Other administrative positions are staffed by volunteers. Day-to-day kennel operations are maintained by a combination of paid personnel and community volunteers, all of whom must attend scheduled training before assisting at the kennel. More information about volunteering is available on the web site.
Founder
Karen Kukla and John (Jay) Staiger of Manlius, New York started Helping Hounds Dog Rescue in January 2009. Their personal resources were used to finance startup of the organization and maintain its day-to-day operations. Over $36,000 was necessary to initially establish and run HHDR before the rescue was able to generate enough operating resources to sustain operations. The Rescue has been unable to obtain a bank credit line for working capital because it has limited assets and no individual willing to personally guarantee repayment of any funds loaned. As a result, Karen and Jay have continued to provide necessary working capital as the need for cash ebbs and flows, as with any normal business.
In addition to monetary resources, for the last three years Karen and Jay have donated the use of their personal vehicles. Karen has also devoted countless hours (many more hour per week than a normal paying job) to management of the organization without any compensation.
Growth:
In the beginning, kennel facilities and services were purchased from a small local Manlius business that specialized in canine day care and boarding. HHDR also paid for facilities improvements to help this particular service provider manage the growing population of rescued dogs. During the first year of operation, 335 dogs were saved. It soon became evident that a larger, dedicated facility was needed if the mission of the Rescue was to continue. During the first six months of 2010, HHDR continued to house dogs in Manlius. Finally, a new facility was located and then made ready. On June 13, 2010 the existing population of dogs was moved to the current location at 6606 Kinne Road in Dewitt, New York. As a result of this relocation, HHDR was able to save 615 dogs in 2010, almost double the number rescued in 2009. The Dewitt kennel not only provided more space for the dogs, but it also offered increased visibility for the Rescue. Located on the grounds of Shoppingtown Mall, the community quickly became aware of HHDR’s existence. Significant numbers of volunteers began to stop by and ask how they could get involved. Because the Rescue’s resources were and continue to be limited, these volunteers are essential to the operation of the organization. Without them, the Rescue could not and would not exist.
2011 was another banner year. HHDR rescued 853 dogs; a 39% increase over 2010. However, this was a daunting feat for the organization. Indeed, the challenges of 2011 stressed management, personnel and volunteers almost to the brink of closing the kennel.
There is, of course, a cost to realize and facilitate any organization’s mission. HHDR is no different. In 2011 the Rescue had over one quater of million dollars in expenses. The Rescue must consistently generate funds to continue operations and pay its expenses. Major cost items include, but are not limited to, dog acquisition, transportation, medical care, kennel facilities and personnel. As the Rescue has grown over the last three years, so has its expenses.
Operations are funded by revenue obtained from adoption fees, donations from the general public and local business, and special events. The Rescue sponsored two fundraising event in 2011: Bark on the Boulevard and Pumpkins ‘n Pooches.
The continued flow of adoptable dogs is critical; it must be managed and maintained to pay for continued kennel operation, which in turn fulfills the Rescue’s mission to “save as many dogs as possible.” The more dogs that come in and go out, the more dogs rescued. Management of dog acquisition is the most important task to keep the mission viable.
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue is a 501(c)(3) not-for-pofit corporation. IRS deductability Status
The In the News page contains a istory of new and information highlighting the rescue's work.