Our Impact
Five powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our organizations goal is to fund medical care for homeless animals residing at the Agoura Animal Care Center to avoid euthanasia for treatable conditions and by doing so increase adoption numbers of animals into loving homes. We are focused on continuing to use any means to get the word out about the good work we do within a county facility via social networking, attending events, and showcasing animals available for adoption via the internet. We fundraise throughout the year including events at local restaurants, a Holiday Boutique, and a donation appeal via our yearly newsletters along with other miscellaneous fundraisers that come our way from those who support our mission. We also apply for grants. Our goals are measured daily by the intake of animals at the shelter in need of medical care and our ability to fund their care, follow though on that care, and ultimately adopt these now healthy animals thus increasing adoptions and reducing euthanasia.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our strategies have included attending both adoption and public relation events, social networking and fundraising throughout the year so we can always say yes to any animal in need of medical care.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have a network of support through those who have adopted animals funded by HHA and throughout the area served by the Agoura Animal Care Center and beyond. Our board is a mix of business persons including those with a medical and fundraising back ground and career volunteers who have both run their own business and those who have worked with in corporations along with those savvy with social networking and years of prior volunteer experience.
Nala was treated for a UTI with medication and a dietary supplement. She was recently adopted.
How will they know if they are making progress?
Our progress is measured by the adoption of animals funded under HHA and brought to good health. These animals prior to the formation of HHA (formerly Malibu Pet Companions) were routinely euthanized for treatable conditions. With HHAs support thousands of animals have been adopted to loving families thus increasing adoptions and reducing euthanasia.
What have and haven't they accomplished so far?
While we never can predict what might enter the shelter facility on a given day we hope to always have the funding available to say yes to any animal in need of medical care. Our goal in coming years is to achieve increased funding through grants and fundraisers that will allow us to be prepared for any medical care needed to bring an animal to good health thus allowing us to continue our mission of increasing adoptions and reducing euthanasia by funding medical care for treatable conditions for homeless animals at the Agoura Animal Care Center.
Angel Boy was diagnosed with a heart murmur. He had some much needed dental work. This Angel found an adoption angel!
Fourteen-year-old Annie had a series of vet visits including surgery on an unstable jawbone. Thanks to HHA, Annie had the time and medical services she needed while she waited patiently for her forever home.
Senior Squad
In shelters nationwide senior animals tend to stay longer and are often the least likely to be adopted. Cats especially are adept at hiding illnesses and potential adopters will question how healthy they are. Our senior squad at Agoura is luckier than most older cats as they have HHA supplying the answer to any health questions.
As a part of the Forever Young Senior Wellness Program all pets ages 7+ entering the Agoura Care Center are sent to a private vet for a check-up. This nose to tail senior exam will include a full physical exam, 2-view whole body x-rays and complete bloodwork and urinalysis.
Diagnosis leads to treatment. A healthy pet not only feels better but has greater adoption potential. Families showing interest have access to those results and can make an informed decision about adopting. Sometimes it is not the diagnosis that is a deterrent, it’s the not knowing. HHA’s senior exam gives adopters the knowledge.
About half of the cats on the 2020 HHA roster are seniors. Twenty-four senior exams so far this year. Two heart murmurs, some cancerous and benign growths, ten surgeries, mild as well as severe wound care, asthma, diabetes, multiple intestinal and respiratory ailments, hepatic lipidosis, kidney disease, hyperthyroid, six dental procedures and some normal bloodwork and analyses later, we find this senior squad is posting much better adoption rates than the national average.
Every senior pet has a story, these photos show just a couple. HHA strives to write a happy ending to each senior story.
— Winter Newsletter 2020
Kingston, age eight, required surgery for painful bladder stones. A lifelong diet of prescription food will help prevent a recurrence, and exactly one month after surgery he was adopted!