UAAC EXPANDS STAFF & PROGRAMS

In conjunction with its recent move to a larger property, Utah Animal Adoption Center has hired additional staff and created new programs to better serve orphaned animals and pet parents in the community.

 

The 25-year-old non-profit organization formerly known as Wasatch Humane has appointed its long-time executive director Cheryl Smith as Director of Development and Legislative Affairs.  In her new role, Smith will write grants to foundations and local companies; coordinate UAAC's special events including the Fur Ball, Natural Horse Showdown, and Painted Pony Parade; and will represent the organization at the Legislature as she has done for 14 years, most recently helping with the successful passage of tougher penalties against animal abusers. Smith will also continue to oversee UAAC's horse-rescue and adoption program, and manage the website and publications.

 

Temma Martin, recently hired after serving 10 years as media specialist for Salt Lake County Animal Services, is UAAC's new Director of Humane Education and Volunteers. She will revive and modernize UAAC’s “Lessons in Caring” programs to teach responsible pet care, kind treatment of animals and bite prevention in the schools and through Center tours. She will also help to train, coordinate and support the organization’s dozens of dedicated volunteers and she’ll feature adoptable pets and offer timely pet care information on all four local TV networks and in several newspapers, including the Spanish language paper El Estándar.

 

UAAC board member Patrick Hoagland is serving as interim Executive Director while the agency searches for a new permanent CEO.

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2008 FURBALL A HOWLING SUCCESS!

More than 100 well-mannered pooches escorted their 350 human loved ones to the University Park Marriott Hotel, for a festive evening of fine dining and music, with hosts Dickie and Angel Shannon and emcee Kurt Bestor. The highlight of the gala was a VIDEO showcasing many of the animals rescued by UAAC this past year, including "Trinity" our Rescue Story of the Year, as well as presentations to our Volunteer of the Year, and to the canine King and Queen of the Ball, as selected by staff and volunteers. Kathy Kalm's little chihuahua Patrick, who was born without front legs and rescued by her, was named King.  The title of Queen was bestowed on Gladis, a black lab who had survived heart-worm disease and had been in the research program at the University of Utah for more than a year before being adopted by Camille Wintch.

"The Fur Ball is an opportunity to celebrate the love and respect we have for animals, all to raise money for our rescue and emergency medical treatment funds, helping us to save, neuter, shelter and re-home more than 1,500 orphaned dogs, cats and horses in Utah each year!", says Cheryl Smith. Many thanks to Contango Capital Advisers, Inc. for being the title sponsor of the event, and to the following businesses and merchants. We are grateful to you for your support, and encourage all Utahns to patronize these animal-friendly businesses. Thanks to the following Fur Ball sponsors:

WELCOME, FELLOW ANIMAL LOVERS!
We’re elated to announce that at long last, we’ve moved to our brand new Adoption Center, on 3.5 wooded acres at 1955 N. Redwood Road, Salt Lake City, thanks to a most generous donation from the Jack and Helen Jarman Family and other loyal supporters who shared our vision for a happy, modern, spacious animal shelter!

And, we’ve changed our name! After 24 years serving Utah’s orphaned companion animals, Utah’s largest and oldest no–kill rescue organization (formerly Wasatch Humane) is now Utah Animal Adoption Center!

Here alongside the Jordan River Parkway, just minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, we have completely renovated a 5,000 square–foot–building into a modern, highly functional, friendly animal shelter that houses about 40 orphaned dogs, 70 orphaned cats and (soon) two or three rescued horses awaiting adoption.

Thanks to UAAC and the generous donations of caring people who make our lifesaving programs possible, thousands of animals who otherwise would have been euthanized are bringing joy, comfort, and companionship to Utah families. And as a result of our work to save adoptable animals from being put down at traditional shelters and to neuter every animal prior to adoption, Utah’s costly and tragic euthanasia rate has dropped dramatically in recent years.

With only five full–time staff, and thanks to many dedicated volunteers, foster homes, supporters and partnerships with veterinarians, major pet retailers, and animal control agencies, UAAC rescues, neuters, provides emergency medical aid and finds homes for more than 1,600 dogs, cats, horses and other animals every year!

But for every animal we’ve saved and placed in loving homes, thousands still sit unwanted, unclaimed in Utah’s shelters, the product of over-breeding, social attitudes that even animals are disposable, and some that are victims of actual neglect and abuse. They need our help. If you’re considering adding a pet to your family, please do the right thing. Be part of the solution: adopt from a rescue like UAAC or a shelter rather than buy from a breeder or pet store. You will save lives!

So whether you’re looking to adopt, or perhaps volunteer or donate or just want to come say hello to our animals, we cordially invite you to visit and tour our new Adoption Center, the only urban animal sanctuary of its kind along the populated Wasatch Front.

Here, at our urban sanctuary conveniently located
just minutes from downtown Salt Lake:

• Animals live in comfortable home–like atmosphere while awaiting their forever homes.
• No healthy animal is ever euthanized.
• Dogs romp and play indoors or out in the sunshine and fresh air, out of traditional cold cages.
• Cats perch on sunny window ledges and prowl on trees to their heart’s content, out of cages.
• Families visit with a dog in our Adoption Garden or introduce their dog to a possible new friend in the safety of our enclosed “Puppy Playground”.
• Horses ready for adoption graze in the shade of a cottonwood tree, gentled and groomed by volunteers.
• Volunteers gather to play with, train, socialize, walk and groom our adoptable animals.
• Dogs and cats will be waiting to greet you with wags, purrs and kisses and lots of hope for a new family to call their own.

If you love animals, you can be part of this momentous opportunity to help our community’s orphaned animals now … and for decades to come, and in so doing create a legacy for your family or business. Please make a donation today. There are several named–giving and perpetual giving opportunities available and we welcome gifts of any amount to help fund the enormous costs to feed, shelter, provide enrichment's and protect the animals on a daily, on–going basis. Every donor is acknowledged for your help in creating this urban sanctuary and gathering place.

Please come meet our friendly adoptions staff, make a donation, volunteer with us, and of course adopt a new four–legged family member (or two!).
We look forward to having you as our guests ... for the love of animals!