HARRISBURG, PA (NOVEMBER 6, 2024) – The Humane Society of Harrisburg Area (HSHA) had much to celebrate this past weekend at their premier charitable event, the Fur Ball Gala. The organization smashed the goal and raised $225,000 to help animals in need—the amount shattered last year’s event, which raised $62,000. In addition, Best Friends Animal Society was on hand to officially recognize HSHA as a No-Kill Shelter. This means at least 90% of all cats and dogs coming into the shelter find positive outcomes with adoption, placements, or rescues
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“When I started at Best Friends there were no No-Kill shelters in America. Today 63% of shelters in this country are No-Kill,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “One of the leading lights in the No-Kill movement is Adam Lamb and the Brandywine Valley SPCA. Helping the Humane Society of Harrisburg Area get to No-Kill in such a short time is remarkable work.”
In late 2023, HSHA entered an affiliation agreement with BVSPCA and named Adam Lamb, CEO of Brandywine Valley SPCA as Executive Director of HSHA.
“It became very obvious that we were losing or had lost the community support that we needed. We knew as a board that the only way to re-connect with the community was to make a significant change,” said HSHA Board President, George Groves. “If we had not found the right executive director and organization, the dire straights were very clear. I’m not exactly sure what we would have ended up doing, but it would not have been something that would have been helpful to this community.”
The Fur Ball not only celebrated reaching the No-Kill achievement, but many other major milestones. January through September, HSHA has found loving homes for 1,700 pets (more than double the amount in 2023), and provided spay/neuter surgery for more than 3,400 animals (that is 2,700 more than 2023). In addition, this year saw the installation of air conditioning in the dog kennels and 5,000 square feet of play yards installed.
“The Fur Ball was the perfect way to celebrate with our community the successes of this year,” said HSHA Executive Director, Adam Lamb. “The fact that the event brought in more than it ever has before is an indicator of not only the community’s support, but their desire to do more for the animals.”