UPDATED PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 4, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT:

Barry KuKes

Community Outreach Director                        

Halifax Humane Society

(386) 274-4703  Ext. 320

BarryK@HalifaxHumaneSociety.org

Halifax Humane Society Appeals to Community to Help with Critical Overpopulation

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The Humane Society Board of Directors met this evening to address a number of factors which are currently making it very difficult for our team to carry out our mission, and the shelter has challenging days ahead.  One of the biggest issues we face is overpopulation.  There are more dogs coming in than going out.  We are also facing contractual and legal hurdles which are further complicating our ability to strike a balance between dog intake and dog adoption.

In the days ahead we will be working diligently to create a plan which ensures that our policies and procedures align with both our mission and the current environment at the shelter.  However, we remain resolute in our commitment to find a home for every adoptable animal in our care.  And as a result, our policies and actions surrounding that commitment will remain unchanged. 

As we steadfastly seek solutions to our many challenges, we are asking the community to aid us in our time of need.  We have received a great deal of valuable and timely feedback over the last 24 hours from many of our donors, friends, and community members.  This Monday, we ask you to help us illuminate our needs, tour our shelter, and perhaps even take home one of our beautiful, adoptable dogs.  Our staff will be available to answer any questions and facilitate a meet and greet with our furry friends. All adoption fees will be waived.

We appreciate your patience as we seek to reestablish balance at the Humane Society once again.

About Halifax Humane Society 

Halifax Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit organization servicing the Greater Daytona Beach area in Volusia County, Florida since 1937.  It exists to protect animals from cruel, neglectful, and exploitative treatment.  Halifax Humane Society is an open-door animal shelter that refuses service to no animal in need. 

As one of the largest humane societies in Florida, Halifax Humane Society provides a full array of humane programs that allow it to provide service to over 25,000 animals each year.  Through generous donations of time and money, the Halifax Humane Society provides shelter for lost and abandoned animals, delivers humane education to its citizens, creates a pet-friendly environment in its local community, and prevents overpopulation of animals by offering affordable spay/neuter opportunities.

Those interested in learning more about the Halifax Humane Society can visit www.halifaxhumanesociety.org.

 Additional information, graphics, and/or photos can be obtained by contacting Barry KuKes at 386-274-4703 ext. 320, or via email at Barryk@halifaxhumanesociety.org

Operational Shift at the Halifax Humane Society

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – In effort to keep our community informed, to be the best resource for our citizens, adopters, and the public, and to be the best partner that we can be to the lost, abandoned, and neglected animals that come through our shelter, we feel it necessary to inform you of an operational shift at the Halifax Humane Society, and the impact this will bring.

HHS will not place dogs that have a history of biting or a known propensity of aggressive behavior.  This will result in the euthanasia of dogs in our care currently, or in the future, that meet these parameters. It is our responsibility as a leader of animal welfare in our area to continue to place animals while prioritizing the best interest of the community and public safety.  This will impact our live release rate.  As difficult as these decisions always are, it is important, in the spirit of transparency, to communicate how this will impact both our organization and our community moving forward.

We understand the risk that comes with the adopting of dogs with a prior history of aggression, as it is often the best indicator of future aggression.  We want to place animals back in our community that we too would welcome into our own homes and neighborhoods.  We strive to give every animal every opportunity we can within our limited resources.  One incident has the ability to cripple, or possibly even shut down, Halifax Humane Society.  The number of animals potentially affected in that event would be devasting to our community.

Our efforts to save as many lives as possible are ongoing.  We must do so in a way that is responsible for our community and for the animal’s needs, while allowing us to continue our work in animal welfare and to be a community resource.

We understand the emotional impact the loss of lives has on everyone reading or hearing about this.  In turn, please understand the impact these decisions have on our staff and volunteers who care for and dedicate our lives to these animals daily.  We ask for your continued support to further the mission for the sake of the thousands of animals Halifax Humane Society continues to save annually.

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About Halifax Humane Society 

Halifax Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) public nonprofit organization servicing the Greater Daytona Beach area in Volusia County, Florida since 1937.  It exists to protect animals from cruel, neglectful, and exploitative treatment.  Halifax Humane Society is an open-door animal shelter that refuses service to no animal in need. 

As one of the largest humane societies in Florida, Halifax Humane Society provides a full array of humane programs that allow it to provide service to over 25,000 animals each year.  Through generous donations of time and money, the Halifax Humane Society provides shelter for lost and abandoned animals, delivers humane education to its citizens, creates a pet-friendly environment in its local community, and prevents overpopulation of animals by offering affordable spay/neuter opportunities.

Those interested in learning more about the Halifax Humane Society can visit www.halifaxhumanesociety.org. Additional information, graphics, and/or photos can be obtained by contacting Barry KuKes at 386-274-4703 ext. 320, or via email at Barryk@halifaxhumanesociety.org