MISCONCEPTION: Animal Humane Society makes money off the backs of animals

Truth:  First, you have to remember we are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is consistently given good marks by the Charities Review Council and Charity Navigator. We do understand that some are taken aback when they learn that our annual report reflects an annual operating budget typically around $12 million and net assets of more than $22 million. They speculate why we need that much and where it all goes.

Animal care
In 2010, we took in 33,979 companion animals. When you take into consideration that the average cost to care for one animal at Animal Humane Society during its stay with us is $251.70 (depending on the species of animal, the time the animal spent in the shelter and any special veterinary medical care it is provided), you begin to understand the need for a large operating budget — and that calculation doesn't include the tools needed to care for and re-home the animals nor costs associated with community outreach. 

It also takes a lot of people and space to care for and place tens of thousands of animals each year. It’s a full-time job and that is why we employ nearly 250 full- and part-time staff, accept the help of more than 1,700 volunteers and maintain five facilities throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, which include surgical suites, transport vehicles, and much more.

Net assets
Each facility and the property it resides on are part of our net assets. The equipment we use to care for so many animals and the vehicles we own and operate, including a mobile surgical unit where we perform much-needed spay/neuter and medical procedures for animals in our care, are also part of our net assets. Our net assets also include working capital and investments. This is not money in reserves available to the daily operations of Animal Humane Society.    

Fundraising
Our adoption fees — some of which are as low as $0-$50 — and surrender fees don’t cover the cost of care for each animal, so we work diligently to diversify funding streams to ensure consistent support for Animal Humane Society. Each year we raise funds through special events like the Walk for Animals and from generous contributions from our supporters. We also opened Now Boarding, an airport boarding facility, in 2009. Profits from the facility will be directed back to the animals at Animal Humane Society.