2023: A Year in Review
A Message from Lisa LaFontaine, President and CEO
The year 2023 marked a year of innovation, growth, and expansion.
Our commitment to honoring and celebrating the human-animal bond is at the core of our work. We know that when we help animals, and their people, we are enhancing the communities we serve. This year, we cared for more animals and people than ever before, kept more pets in their homes with the families who already love them, and worked with partner organizations to create stronger safety nets so more animals can thrive.
Here are just a few of our achievements:
We continued to support partner shelters throughout the country and in New Jersey through our WayStation transport program, as animal shelters nationwide were overwhelmed with a surge in dog intake.
We provided exceptional care to the 4,056 animals who came through our doors in need of support. And, we offered financial assistance, medical care, food, and supplies to ensure 1,736 pets and their families remained healthy – and together.
Our foster program was expanded significantly, and 53% of the animals who came through our doors were living with foster families on any given day.
Adoptions increased by 5.4% as compared to 2022. We did this by removing barriers and broadening accessibility beyond our Madison campus through adoption events at the Ledgewood location and PetSmart stores.
Our team advocated for the passage of two landmark animal welfare bills, ushering in a powerful new chapter in animal protection.
Woven into these accomplishments is an abundance of gratitude – for the animals and people who touched our lives; for our community of supporters – like you – who generously contributed their resources and enabled us to fulfill our mission; and for our dedicated staff and volunteers who, day in and day out, stand ready to undertake the essential work of protecting animals and supporting families.
These successes were made possible because of your generous support and partnership with St. Hubert’s. We are proud to have a great deal of good news to share from this past year. As you read through this report and see our impact, I hope you realize that there are thousands of animals living better lives because of you. If they could, these precious animals and their families would say thank you!
Kind regards,
President & CEO
Woven into these accomplishments is an abundance of gratitude – for the animals and people who touched our lives; for our community of supporters who generously contributed their time and talents and empowered us to fulfill our mission; and for our dedicated staff and volunteers who, day in and day out, stand ready to undertake the essential work of protecting animals and supporting families.
Saving Lives and Building Capacity, One Precious Animal at a Time
Through flights and vehicle transport, our WayStation program moves dogs and cats from “source” shelter partners, located in areas where the number of homeless animals far exceeds the available homes, to “destination” partners, located in areas where animals have many more opportunities to be adopted. Each destination partner returns a portion of the adoption fee for every adopted animal to the source shelter where the animal originated, allowing that home shelter to invest in solutions to address the root causes of overpopulation in their communities. In 2023, we transported 3,433 animals and provided $70,720 in Give Back funds.
Meet Sammy
Our WayStation team was picking up a group of cats from the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center near Camden, New Jersey, when they spotted a tiny, orange kitten alone in his kennel. The 2-week-old kitten was hunched in a bowl and shivering, with one eye seriously infected and a cloudy patch in the other. Veronica Greco, WayStation program manager, pulled him into the transport group and took him home as her own foster.
For the first five days, he was so weak that he only woke up to eat and then went back to sleep. After five days of steady nutrition Sammy’s personality began to shine, and with each passing moment he grew stronger. During the day, Sammy rested in the incubator at St. Hubert’s while Veronica arranged for hundreds of cats to be transferred in from partner shelters in New Jersey. Soon, he was strong and old enough to undergo surgery to remove his damaged eye and be neutered so he could start looking for a new family. During his time as an “office foster,” this lucky kitten caught the eye (and heart) of WayStation Director Lynn Garcia, who formed a deep bond with Sammy. Lynn, who already had a single-eyed cat, welcomed Sammy into her home as soon as he was ready to go home!
Meet Chief
Chief is a 6-year-old dog who endured unimaginable hardships before he came to St. Hubert’s. Described as an “old, gentle soul” by our WayStation partner in Louisiana, Chief had heartworm disease and had to undergo a leg amputation due to being shot in a tragic accident. Despite every challenge, his spirit remained unbroken. After his health improved and he was cleared for transport, Chief boarded a flight to New Jersey. We matched him with a foster family and provided him with lifesaving heartworm treatment.
Chief flourished under the nurturing care of his foster family. And when it came time to find his permanent home, Chief didn’t have to go far – he went home with his foster family’s neighbor! Their daughter, Betty, was initially nervous around dogs, but she quickly warmed to Chief’s calm and sweet demeanor. Chief seamlessly integrated into their household, quickly forging bonds with their cats and bringing immense joy and love to his new family. Today, Chief is living his best possible life, embraced by a family who cares for his every need, including a little girl who adores him and provides him with the love and safety he deserves.
Helping Homeless Animals
Our team works diligently every day to ensure that animals who come through our doors are placed in loving homes. Thanks to our incredible staff and community of foster families, volunteers, and supporters, 2,448 animals found new homes this year. Here are just a few of their stories.
Meet BOLT
When we first met Bolt, she couldn’t eat, drink, or even breathe without pain due to a severe injury to her face. Her upper teeth were exposed, and most of her nose was missing, leaving sensitive nerve endings that were painful to the touch. Thanks to our generous supporters, we found a specialist to perform reconstructive facial surgery and several follow-up treatments. This transformative procedure both alleviated Bolt’s pain and enhanced her quality of life, granting her the simple joys of eating and breathing without discomfort. Bolt now spends her days at home with her new family, including two feline sisters. Bolt's journey is a testament to the impact of compassionate care and the generosity of those who support our mission.
Meet ELSA
Before making her way to St. Hubert’s, Elsa was brought in to one of our shelter partners in Louisiana, and she was lucky to get on an upcoming transport. Elsa suffered from mange, a painful skin disease that causes severe itchiness, hair loss, and the formation of scabs. Our foster team matched her with a loving family who, along with our medical team, provided her with the treatment and love she needed to heal. In just a few weeks, her skin condition greatly improved and she thrived in her foster home. Soon after, she was adopted and now shares her home with a canine brother who also was adopted from St. Hubert’s!
Keeping Families Together
We aim to keep as many pets as possible in their homes with the families who have loved them and cared for them. Our Pet Support programs help keep families whole by providing minor medical treatments that their guardians couldn’t otherwise afford. In 2023, we enabled more than 700 pets to stay with their families through lifesaving and sustaining programs and services.
Meet LECHE
Jose became worried when his 12-year-old cat Leche had been vomiting for nearly 24 hours. Jose and Leche took an Uber to a veterinary clinic that did not offer financial assistance, then another, still unable to secure care because of financial constraints. As Leche’s temperature rose six degrees above average, Jose was desperate to get treatment for his beloved cat. One of the veterinarians had suggested he call St. Hubert’s for assistance.
Fortunately, Jennifer Gregory, our community programs manager, connected Jose with a local veterinary clinic for immediate care, with St. Hubert’s covering the cost. Leche was finally able to receive the help he needed! After 24 hours of inpatient care, where he received fluids and antibiotics, Leche was released with medication so he could recover at home. Jose was thrilled he could keep Leche and care for him through his recuperation.
Legislative Victories
In 2023, we were thrilled to celebrate the passage of two landmark animal welfare bills that we championed in New Jersey, marking significant victories for animals and compassionate community members alike!
Cost of animal care legislation provides a crucial step forward in our fight against animal cruelty by making it easier for animal shelters to provide the care and support needed for animal victims of abuse and neglect. With improved resources and streamlined processes, New Jersey is paving the way for a brighter future for countless animals seized in cruelty cases.
After over a decade of advocacy from across the state, New Jersey takes a bold stand with the passage of legislation to end the inhumane confinement of mother pigs and baby cows in gestation and veal crates. No longer will these animals be forced to endure cramped conditions that rob them of their natural behaviors and emotional well-being.
The successful passage of these bills is a testament to the thousands of advocates, organizations, and caring individuals who lent their voices to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves. We were proud to play a role in these victories, which will write a powerful new chapter in our state’s story of compassion, justice, and enhanced standards for animal welfare.
A Preview of 2024
As we reflect on the strides you helped us make in 2023, we stand at the cusp of an exciting new chapter in our journey toward becoming a comprehensive pet resource center. As more people experience the joy of sharing their lives with pets, the need for professional, accessible, and fairly priced services has never been more critical.
St. Hubert’s is more committed than ever to keeping animals in their homes with the people who already love them. With a goal of strengthening the human-animal bond, our focus for 2024 is to provide our community with programs and services that help their lives with their pets be more joyful, convenient, and healthy. To meet the growing needs, we will launch these initiatives:
Mosaic Animal Health Center: We are proud to have entered a long-term partnership with an outstanding veterinary practice that will expand animal health services throughout the region. The Mosaic Animal Health Center at the St. Hubert’s Madison campus will significantly bolster community offerings for primary (and eventually specialty) medical care. This generous partner will also help us to provide better care to the animals we are sheltering.
New and Impactful Community Programs: We have only begun to scratch the surface on what we can do to improve the quality of life for community animals and offer essential programs and services to struggling pet owners. Through the distribution of supplies and food, we will ensure more pets can meet their basic needs for nutrition and enrichment. Growing our free and affordable basic pet health services will make the difference between tragic pet relinquishment and continued lives with their loving families.
Expanded Dog Daycare Facilities: Our Madison Doggie Daycare center is a refuge for many families who want to be sure their beloved dogs are well cared for while they go to work and fulfill their outside commitments. Now, we have opened a second Doggie Daycare at our North Branch campus, and we will introduce training and behavior services to enrich the mental well-being of the pets who stay with us.
Lifesaving Transport Services: While our WayStation will continue to work with partners in other states to provide a lifeline for overburdened shelters, in 2024 we will expand our transport relationships with shelters and rescues in New Jersey. Our goal is to grow a supportive network of local organizations and partner with leaders throughout the state to build a collaborative network of animal welfare organizations. These partnerships will be grounded in shared data and resources, which will be used to drive positive change for animals and to further influence statewide policies that benefit animals and the people who love them.
As we look ahead to 2024, we see a future that is brighter than ever for animals and the people who cherish them. We approach the year ahead with determination and optimism, and know that we could not make this level of impact without your steadfast support and generosity. All of us at St. Hubert’s are grateful to you, from the bottom of our hearts.
