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Marketing "Previously Enjoyed Pets" or "How did I get here"?
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8/31/2010
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As a child I always knew I was going to help animals. I mended wings of neighborhood birds, helped lost dogs find their way home and weaned countless kittens. Unfortunately I lacked the skills to become a veterinarian and was told by my Naval Shipyard retiree Dad, "Kay, you have to be able to make a living." So I began to look at my natural skills and education options. In 1976 there was very little offered by colleges that interested me. Very few schools offered creative interesting classes and most of what I saw was numbers and more numbers, not my idea of a fun career. So I set my path toward Visual Merchandising, a creative way to market. I attended the Savannah School of Design taking a few classes. I had my own business and clients for two years designing windows for store fronts of local businesses. I then went to work for the Navy (my dad was thrilled) displaying everything from cans of oil to furniture. After thirteen years with the Navy Resale System as a Visual Merchandiser, I realized I was not happy. I wanted to do something that meant something. I wanted to change the world! So I left a very lucrative career in Government Service to follow my dream to help animals. I decided to put all my skills to work for a local non-profit shelter The John Ancrum SPCA. At the time the shelter was at an all time low in the public eye. We were known as "THE POUND" and because of a high profile cat case, "The cat Killers". My goal in life for the past twenty years has been to change the public's perception of our shelter and to help our community become a better place for animals. I built up our media presence to include seven live weekly radio appearances, two weekly television spots, countless recorded television spots and helped to develop a Marketing Campaign which won national attention. My natural talent to speak honestly and to communicate our needs has put our shelter in the forefront of the country's humane societies. I think I have finally lived my dream, to make a difference on this earth and to help Joe dog to have a better life.
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Kitten season is here!
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5/5/2010
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Today in our weekly Administrators meeting, Dr.Lucy Marlow told us we have over 60 kittens in foster care and three litters waiting for someone to liberate them from their cages. Foster families take home what essentiall are "feed and grow" kittens that need just two to three weeks to get up to weight. This is an amazing experience for families or individuals who want to make a difference in the life of an animal but are not able to add another fur-friend to their family. Please consider foster care over the next couple of months, you will save lives and experience joy beyond compare!
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Bittersweet Goodbyes
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4/29/2010
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Well my foster mom is now in her new home. Her family is thrilled with her and I could not be happier. Now comes the time for the pups to all move on as well. One pup, "Eloise' went home today and tomorrow "Brave Heart and "Lola" will move out! That only leaves "Savannah" my daughters favorite. I have learned a thing or two fostering over the last few months. One thing I know for sure...the WallStreet Journal and New York Times are much more absorbent and bigger than any other paper source I have seen! I really loved it when staff would bring me a bag of "the times" which some worldly traveler had donated...so if you read the times or the journal, please donate them to the shelter. I probably recycled more newspaper in the last few months than you can imagine. I changed paper about 20 times per day. Fostering puppies is not for the meek...next time I think I will try kittens...litterbox trained kittens...Kay
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Life with momma...my foster mom saga
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3/27/2010
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All my life I have wanted to take care of animals. As a child I championed even the smallest lizard,challenging every kid in the neighborhood who dared to harm them. I even remember begging my dad and brothers not to go hunting for squirrels and blue Jays as a young girl. Now I am so blessed to be able to support my family and do what I love with my work. Everyday whether I am at work or in a grocery store, I champion animals and their right to live side by side with us, To be able to be the animals they are without neglect or abuse. I am reading a great book about whether or not animals have souls and it is challenging my thoughts about animals and the afterlife. Daily I am challenged in this life by my human mother,whom I care for and my four legged foster mom with four pups. My human mom requires that I take her to the bathroom, as well as my foster, requires regular meals, and daily interaction. I love being able to combine the two giving my mom new things to look at and my foster the socialization she needs to be a good dog.Many times my mom will equate what my foster dog is going through with similar events in her momhood. I am one of seven siblings, a really big litter, and I am sure my mom faced many challenges feeding and caring for all of us. In my next few blogs I plan on posting my life with momma, my foster mom saga. Stay tuned for updates and escepades. I am sure it will not be dull...Kay
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Southeastern Wildlife Expo=Saving Lives
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2/9/2010
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For many years I avoided the Southeastern Wildlife Event convinced it only attracted hunters and people who liked to display animals as trophys . My attitude towards the event was changed about five years ago when the shelter was included in the Conservation Hall Exhibits.At the event I met hundreds of visitors to our city who loved animals and wanted to protect their habitat.I have always been fascinated with the working dogs and the addition of Dock Dogs has added an exciting element. In recent years the Charleston Animal Society has chosen to be on the fringe of the event setting up sattelite adoption locations in business windows along King Street and in Charleston Place. Puppy Fest @SEWE was originally the idea of the manager of Ann Fontaine a womens apparel store in the Charleston Place. It grew last year to include 5 locations resulting in 20 adoptions and thousands of dollars in donations.The Charleston Animal Society will feature homeless dogs, puppies, cats and kittens available for adoption during the Southeastern Wildlife Expo this week-end! Visit our animals in the foyer at 401 King St (by the Francis Marion Hotel) and Ann Fontaine (at Charleston Place) for the following dates and times: Thursday, Feb 11th, 12pm - 4 pm, Friday, Feb 12: 10am - 5 pm, Saturday, Feb 13th 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday, Feb 14: 10 am - 1 pm. I hope to see you there! Kay
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Free Over Three, Adult cat adoption fees waived
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2/5/2010
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Yesterday our staff came to the realization that even though the Ground Hog saw his shadow and all predicted 6 more weeks of winter, it was SPRING in thw animal world. Today we are at capacity for cats once again. More than ever adult cats are streaming in our door. When there are no more cages it spells disaster. We knew it was coming so our staff went into action. Free over Three is a way of alleviating the overpopulation by keeping cats alive and in homes! I love that we are so proactive and do everything on all levels to SAVE LIVES. Yesterday I watched a staff member take her own time to finish an adoption. I watched staff stay late to make sure cats were on the adoption floor to be adopted today. It is a great feeling when you see such dedicated people doing what they love. Kay
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Our Furry Family Members
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1/29/2010
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Everyday we hear stories from families who have adopted their "Soul Pet" from our shelter. We never get tiered of hearing them. I especially love when the stories are accompanied by a photo. I changed my photo on this blog to my newest adoptee "Booty Boo". He is the love of my life. Everytime I come home after a long day at work he squeals like a little puppy greeting me with his wiggle butt! I can't help but forget any stress from my day when I look at his happy face. Do you have an alumni story that you want to share with us. Did you see your new family member on TV or hear about them on the radio? I really feel a sense of pride when a person tells me they found their new friend because of the TV and radio spots graciously donated by local media. Check out our Alumni Page and send me your story. khyman@charlestonanimalsociety.org I'm waiting to hear from you.
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