American Humane Helps Fund New Surgical Suite for Cloquet’s Friends of Animals Humane Society’s Spay and Neuter Program

Denver (September 6, 2007)

The American Humane Association has awarded the Friends of Animals Humane Society of Cloquet, Minn., a $4,000 Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant to aid in the construction of an on-site surgical suite at the shelter facility. The humane society plans to convert its current treatment room, where animals are seen for routine exams and minor medical procedures, into a fully functional surgical unit where veterinarians will provide animals with more extensive medical care.

The primary motive behind installing an on-site surgical suite at Friends of Animals is to increase the efficiency of the humane society’s spay/neuter program. An effective spay/neuter program is important to the success pf reducing pet overpopulation in the community and encouraging responsible pet ownership.

Currently, Friends of Animals arranges post-adoption surgeries with partner veterinarians, taking the time to confirm surgery schedules and transporting the animals to and from the clinics. By having a surgical suite of its own, the humane society can ensure that each spay or neuter procedure is completed before adoption. The surgical suite will also make it easier for veterinarians to schedule procedures.

“American Humane is proud to help fund this project,” said Debrah Schnackenberg, interim vice president for Animal Protection Services. “Spaying and neutering animals is crucial in the fight to end pet overpopulation, and Friends of Animals is taking a great initiative to ensure that all of their animals are sterilized before adoption.”

The Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant was established in 1969, in memory of Tressa Meacham, to provide financial assistance to agencies for shelter expansion or improvements. The grants are awarded annually by American Humane to qualified animal welfare agencies in order to fund projects that will contribute to the humane treatment of animals at the agencies and within the agencies’ communities. Several grants are awarded each year to assist with the costs of building, renovating and equipping shelters to improve the quality of care given to their animals.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link® between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the exclusive authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane® Certified™ farm animal program is the nation’s original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food (www.thehumanetouch.org). American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America’s “Best in America” Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America’s premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

###