My New Year’s Eve celebrations usually come to an end long before midnight. I enjoy time with family
members, and then spend time thinking about the year past and the year future. I have usually chosen my theme
for the New Year a couple of weeks in advance, so I think about how the theme can positively impact my life
during the coming year.
Last January, we reported that we expected 2012 to be an exciting time for us, and it has been:

1.
In April, we officially opened the new “no-kill” adoption center. This will not solve all the
overpopulation problems in Danville and Pittsylvania County, but provides us more space to hold the adoptable
animals. We are still an open-admission shelter, which means we do not turn away animals. Once an animal
comes into the shelter, and they become our property through state law, they are evaluated for behavioral and
health issues. As space permits, they are accepted into the adoption center, and are held until they are adopted
or transferred to another group (as long as they remain healthy and non-aggressive). We were thrilled to be able
to build this center, through the generosity of many donors and supporters, as well as the E. Stuart James Grant
Charitable Trust, and give it as a gift to the City of Danville.

2.
We continued to help residents of Danville and Pittsylvania County pay for the spay/neuter
surgery. Frankly, larger shelters with the combination of more adoptions cannot solve all the problems of
overpopulation and abuse. Only spaying and neutering to reduce the number of unwanted animals can solve the
problem. Since 1993, we have helped 22,000 dogs and cats in Danville and Pittsylvania County, spending over
$500,000, again mostly through the generosity of the E. Stuart James Grant Charitable Trust. We have brought
back our popular rebate program. At least the day before they take the animal to a veterinary clinic for the
surgery, residents of Danville and Pittsylvania County may come to the shelter to pick up a certificate. Then,
with a copy of the veterinary bill, a self-addressed envelope, and the certificate, we send a check for $25. In
2012, we also gave approximately $30,000 to local veterinary clinics as spay/neuter grants.

3.
We expanded our volunteer programs. We have a large group of dedicated people who enjoy
serving the animals. People can serve on our fundraising committee, or they can serve as shelter volunteers.
Shelter employees stay busy taking care of the basic needs of shelter animals, and we love for volunteers to help
exercise the animals. With our adoption center opening, we rely on volunteers more than ever. In fact, we hope
some people even help us clean the cages and do laundry. The dogs absolutely love to go into the fenced-in
area, and volunteers provide vital socialization for the shelter animals. Our fundraising committee is a
dedicated group of people who work tirelessly to raise money so the animals can be helped. Thank you,
volunteers!

4.
We continued our 24 hours a day, 365 days a year work of helping the animals. We conducted
neglect and cruelty investigations and help rescue animals.

5.

As always, we hope that the New Year will be a kinder one for all animals, and we look forwarding to
serving all the wonderful creatures with whom we share this earth.

Finally, we helped about 7,000 animals!