April 4, 2025 • 30 mins
ABOUT HUMANE ANIMAL RESCUE OF PITTSBURGH (HARP):
As one of the largest animal welfare organizations in Pennsylvania, HARP has been committed to the
welfare of animals, pet owners and the Greater Pittsburgh community for 150 years. With two
domestic animal shelters and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, HARP is a trusted and caring resource
helping more than 21,000 animals each year through its adoption programs, veterinary medical
centers, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, pet food distribution and community support and engagement
activities.
HARP’s COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Foundational to HARP’s mission is the support and education of the community outside the shelter.
HARP is determined to help keep every family together regardless of circumstances. From our Ellie’s
Pet Pantry to our Humane Health Coalition , or even our low-cost veterinary care , we strive for every
pet owner to be able to keep their family members with them and out of the shelter. Those needing
assistance are encouraged to call our Pet Hel
As one of the largest animal welfare organizations in Pennsylvania, HARP has been committed to the
welfare of animals, pet owners and the Greater Pittsburgh community for 150 years. With two
domestic animal shelters and Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, HARP is a trusted and caring resource
helping more than 21,000 animals each year through its adoption programs, veterinary medical
centers, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, pet food distribution and community support and engagement
activities.
HARP’s COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Foundational to HARP’s mission is the support and education of the community outside the shelter.
HARP is determined to help keep every family together regardless of circumstances. From our Ellie’s
Pet Pantry to our Humane Health Coalition , or even our low-cost veterinary care , we strive for every
pet owner to be able to keep their family members with them and out of the shelter. Those needing
assistance are encouraged to call our Pet Hel
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
And welcome in. This is a public affairs program shedding
the light on the interest, issues and concerns of the
greater Pittsburgh area. Good morning to you. My name is
Johnny heart Will I'm your host. Today. We're going to
be talking to the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. If
you hear the word HARP, that's kind of the acronym
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. Let's say hello to an
old friend, Michelle Frenier. Good morning, Good to see you again.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Good to see you as always, Johnny, thanks for having us.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Michelle is the director of Marketing, and introduce your friend here.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I am delighted to bring with me today a board
member from HARP, Jim Saxon, who is also COO and
president of Berkshire Hathaway Home Service.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Are we talking realty today? Are we talking houses today?
Speaker 3 (00:48):
No? I don't think we're talking about houses. I think
we're talking about animals and HARP.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Okay, well, so you're a board member. So when did
you join HARP and what's your association.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
We began our affiliation with HARP in the fall of
twenty twenty four, and when we decided that that was
the organization we wanted to support. I said, well, if
we're going to support this organization, I want to get
all involved and try to become a board member. And
about the exact same time is when I became the
board member.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Also, good for you. Now have you always been an
animal lover?
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Oh? My god? Ever since I can remember?
Speaker 1 (01:23):
What's your first animal? What's the first one?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Well, first is my own? Or when I was growing
up with growing up, grown up? I had are you Trum?
Pittsburgh from the South Hills, a corner raised in the
South Hills. Never left, love it. But I've always had animals.
I always have had dogs, cats, many different breeds, but
ever since my wife and I got married, the breed
of choice has been the Airdale Terrierky. And if you've
(01:47):
ever had an Airdale Terrier, they fit the meaning of terrier.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
What does that mean?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
That means they have a mind of their own. They
can be extremely stubborn and they tell you what life
is supposed to be all about.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Well, tell me who's in charge of your house? What's
what's what's he? What was her name?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Her name is Tessa? Okay, now I'm not quite sure
she's actually in charge. It might be the two cats
that are in charge. But then we so we have
two calicos okay, and they are bonded sisters. They were
rescues also. They are probably now seven years old, and
one is Chloe and one is Missy okay.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
And so you've been so you're going to tell me
your first pet when you when you were a child.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
As a child, the first pet was a German shepherd.
Her name was Lannie, and Lannie was a person. She
was not a dog. Yes, she was a fabulous dog.
Never needed a leash, walked by your side, stayed with you,
she was aware of everything that was happening around her.
She was a great dog.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
And so you joined, you know, the board last year,
so you're relatively new to.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
The very new Yes, extremely it's been six months now.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
So what have you learned about HARP.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Well, probably the biggest thing that I have learned and
it's what we are involved with. It's Ellie's Pantry, which
is to basically help families in need keep their families
or keep their animals at home and be able to
support food and supplies for them. So I was lucky
(03:19):
enough to be at one of the pickup centers a
few months ago and experience. Just how individuals love their
animals and they are they are in need, they do
need the help of the organization. And how Harp handled
each individual was amazing to me. When a car would
(03:41):
drive up, you know, they would know the people individually.
Obviously this has been going on for years. But it's
not like they would just say, Okay, here's your dry food,
here's here's your cat food. Whatever. They would ask about
the animal, how the animals are doing. It was amazing
how many animals some of these people had. If they
need medicaid food, if they needed wet food, if they
(04:02):
need a dry food, if they need a certain lit,
or if they need a clay litter, if they needed
wooden lit. I mean I was sitting there watching these
volunteers and employees hand out these supplies. It was absolutely amazing.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
And did I hear you talking to Michelle that you
have pig feed at Berkshire Hathaway.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Well, right now they are shy home and get the
pig feed. Well you can if you want. I mean,
we can make anything happen. Michelle, What is going on
right now for the wildlife center?
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Yeah, so we have Some folks may not know that
in addition to our two domestic shelters, we have a
wildlife Rehabilitation center, so that takes care of injured and
abandoned wildlife, any type of wildlife other than bear and
whitetail deer. So as we are entering here into April,
April starts baby season, so our Wildlife center will be
(04:57):
inundated with everything from baby bunny's, baby squirrels, raccoons. So
our Wildlife Center is doing a campaign called Pilliness, so
much like our phil a Doghouse campaign which Berkshire Hathaway
is part of, Fill a Nest helps get supplies needed
for the wildlife babies that we were coming. So everything
(05:19):
from nuts and berries, mealworms, to baby food, baby yam,
baby food, dams. So we have a gift registry as
it were on our home or our website, and so
folks can give items to that as well, and so
we're delighted that Berkshire Hathaway supports that as well.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
All right, so if somebody wants more information or wants
to give or donate, they could do that at the website.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yes, if they go to our website Humaneanimal Rescue dot
Org and look under the tab give It talks about
ways to give so gifts of supplies and they can
check out all of our wish lists there.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Michelle, I know that, you know, the community involvement is
vital for your existence and you do so much for
the community. So it's you know, it's organizations like Berkshire
Hathaway that really step up that that is the heartbeat
of what you guys do.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Absolutely, and you know, as Jim alluded to, the need
is really great. You know, we understand that, you know,
people have been experiencing some very challenging economic times and
we also know that shelters over the last couple of
years have been struggling with being at or near capacity.
And one of the things that is so important to
(06:33):
our organization is to how can we keep animals out
of the shelter if we can, and if they're already
in a loving and caring home and have owners who
really love them but are just struggling to care for them,
if we can intercede with programs like Ellie's Pet Pantry
and help them bridge those challenges, that's what we want
(06:57):
to do.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
For somebody who's just tuning in, tell us about Ellis Pantry.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So Ellie's Ellie's Pet Pantry is just just like a
human pet pant. Pet pantry, so I so we provide
dry and wet dog and cat food, but also in
addition to that, we also offer other things that a
pet owner may be needing. So the things like cat litter, collars, leashes, beds, crates, toys,
(07:26):
you know, they are wonderful things that you know, our
supporters donate or provide to us new And so what
we do is Ellie's Pet Pantry. Folks need to register
for that and it's a very easy process. Again, folks
can go to our website and find out more information
Humaneanimal Rescue dot org and then again look under programs
(07:47):
and resources and they'll find Ellie's Pet Pantry.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Are people reluctant to sign up for a program like that.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
They may be, but again I hope that they're not
because again we really want to make sure again we
know how meaning full you know from you know, we
think back to the days of COVID when people, you know,
we're looking to add pets to their family, but we
know how important pets can be in a family and
the emotional support that they provide. So it's we hope
(08:14):
that again if we can help them take care of
those pets, that ultimately helps them get care as well.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
How many animals do you think HARP takes care of
in any given year.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, in any given year animal between our two domestic shelters,
our veterinary medical centers, our wildlife Center, it's over twenty
one thousand animals that receive care are touched by HARP
in a year.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
That's like, I'm not a math major by any stretch
of the imagination. That's over fifty animals every single day.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yes, yes, so again we and we couldn't do what
we do without volunteers and support from companies and organizations
like Berkshire Hathaway. So that's why it's so important.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
So Jim, when you you've joined the board of Home
last year, what was that experience like?
Speaker 3 (09:05):
At first, I really didn't know it was something that Okay,
I know about HARP, I know what they do, but
until you really get involved and get down into the trenches,
you don't know how vital and is and how important
it is. I think the one event I think happened
right after I joined, they had it called a spade
a thon and in one day at their veterinarian clinics
(09:26):
which are housed in their facilities, and one day they
spade over five hundred cats.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
And when you hear something like that, it's amazing the
amount of effort and work.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
I was just going to ask them to show what
kind of you know, effort is it five hundred cats?
How long of a span was that?
Speaker 2 (09:44):
It was twenty four hours, So that's amazing day. Twenty
four hours, So twenty four continuous hours, yes, goosebumps. So
and again these aren't own cats. These are what we
would call community cats. So there cats that live in
the community. They're outdoors. They they're really not owned. But
so working through volunteers and groups that trap and rescue
(10:08):
these animals, they're brought into HARP, they're spey, are neutered,
they're given all their vaccines, they're given that ear tip
so that folks that know that they have been spader
neutered and that they're good to go. And then what
that helps us to do is control that pet population
so that the population does not continue to grow. And
(10:32):
that's done obviously we have a wonderful team of veterinarians
and vetechs and stuff.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
But we couldn't do, but we.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Could do so. Again, there are hundreds of volunteers that
take part to make that happen. It is an incredible
thing to watch that, you know, at when it starts
at five o'clock in the morning, in the morning and
the cats coming in in carriers and volunteers checking them in,
and you know, there's this whole system, and then throughout
(11:00):
that twenty four hours more and more cats being brought in,
They're having their surgeries, they're going to recovery. It is
an incredible sight and the impact is amazing.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
You know, I've known I've known you in heart for
a long long time, and I'm always amazed that there's
something like, you know, something like you just said that
I was not aware of, Yeah, which is so vital
for this community.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Yes, I mean, you know, obviously owned pets are actually
very important, but again it's also again all of the
different ways that HARP can touch our community is important.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Now you touched a little bit about the Wildlife Rehab Center.
Can you tell us a little bit more about that
facet of the organization.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Sure, so, you know, many folks aren't aware of this,
but it is a facility in Verona and it cares
for as I said, wild injured and abandoned wildlife. So
and you know, it's incredible to see the work that
they do. I just was on and we were talking
about this before we you know, started recording. An outlet
(12:08):
had been found on one of the local golf courses
and they felt that it was probably blown out of
the nest during one of the recent storms. That outlet
was brought to us. He was in relatively good condition,
probably a little dehydrated and needed a little bit of care,
but working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the folks
at the golf course, he was placed back in that
(12:30):
tree and is, you know, from the porch doing well.
So that is kind of the work that we are
doing at that or at that part of our organization.
Their goal really is to again rehabilitate and then have
that wildlife returned back to the wild. Very different from
our domestic shelters where we get very involved and you
(12:53):
know you'll see all the cute names of the animals.
It's a very we don't name those animals because again,
the goal is to get them.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
And so where do you find those animals?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
A lot of them are brought to us by the public.
You know, we have a helpline there, folks. You know,
if they find injured or if they think, you know,
they see baby wildlife in their yard, they can call
the helpline and say, you know, this is what I'm seeing.
Sometimes wildlife may not be abandoned, and so we we
do want to, you know, kind of caution folks as
(13:28):
to here are some things to do to make sure
you're not baby napping, because a lot of times maybe
somebody sees and nests of bunnies in their yard and
they don't see mom. Mom is probably closer by than
they realize. She just is probably out getting things to
feed her young babies. So our Wildlife center will give
(13:50):
them guidance on when it is appropriate to bring something in,
you know, ways to tell if mom is nearby. But
definitely if they find an injured wildlife, they can bring
it to our center there and we will do our
best to.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
What are some of the do's or don'ts when you
call the hotline, like there's there's certain like you said,
white tail, white tailed deer.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Yeah, we do not care for white tail deer or
bear certain reptiles, but we do have you know, snakes
and lizards and those kind of things.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
I think I'd rather resue a bear.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
I believe you just returned a beaver back to the
wild so came in blind.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yeah, yeah, so we did have a case of a
We haven't had a beaver at the wildlife center in
a number of years. But as Jim mentioned, a beaver
who came to the Wildlife Repelta, we cared for a
number of months and is now at another facility in
(14:48):
Michigan where it is going to live there for a
while until it is ready to mate. There's another beaver
at that facility. So because beavers are familiar animals, so
it where this beaver was found. The family had moved on,
so again it again. We do want to make sure
(15:10):
that not only when we do re enter it into wildlife,
that it can survive.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
So she has the best stories.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
It's just amazing and this facility of my understanding, and
you asked me the question, what have I learned, is
the only facility of this nature? I believe in southwestern
Pennsylvania there is no other facility like this to care
for the wildlife like HARP is able to provide.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
We're talking when you hear the word HARP. That is
the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. We're talking with Michelle
and Jim who's a part of the board. So for
somebody who's not familiar with with HARP or the Humane
Animal Rescue kind of for people who are just tuning in,
tell us everything that the organization does well.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
HARP really is that we are one of the largest
animal welfare organizations here in Western Pennsylvania. We have two
domestic shelters, so those are the shelters that care for
domestic animals, cats, dogs, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, those kind
of things. But as we just mentioned, we also have
our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. HARP came about as a merger
(16:21):
of two organizations, the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society in the
Animal Rescue League, and last year in twenty twenty four,
we celebrated our one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the organization.
So we really have a legacy of being part of
the Pittsburgh community and making a difference through the care
of animals because we understand that while we're caring for animals,
(16:45):
that also has a direct impact on the people of
Pittsburgh as well. So in addition to many folks may
think of us primarily as a place to adopt an animal,
which is certainly a large part of what we do.
But we also have two veterinary medical centers, and so
you have do not need to have adopted an animal
(17:06):
from us to use those services, and those we offer
preventative and you know, standard basic veterinary care, so everything
from vaccines, minor surgeries, space, neuters, exec folks can come
to us end. It's a low cost, high quality, so
it's probably about fifty percent or two thirds of maybe
a private veterinary practice that the services are that we provide.
(17:33):
We also have community programs, educational programs. Summer's coming, we
have summer camps, so we have camp from first grade
to twelfth grade, both at our domestic shelters and at
the Wildlife Center. There are wonderful opportunities to volunteer, whether
it's at the shelter, at the wildlife center, or maybe fostering.
(17:56):
You know, if you're maybe not ready to adopt a
pet but still have a love for pet. We are
always in need of foster animals so they can care
for animals who are quite not ready to be adopted,
whether they're young, kittens or puppies, or maybe they've had
some medical issues or some came from a situation where
they need a little more care, or animals that need
(18:17):
that shelter break.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
So what is the the census when it comes to
the animals. What's the busy season for harp Well.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
We would use to say that it would probably be spring,
you know, as babys, but as we are seeing in
as many shelters across the country, it is constantly busy.
We are experiencing high capacity of the number of animals
in our care and that's not surprising. You know, we're
not the only shelter to do that.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
So it's year round.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
It is year round. So again, whether folks can adopt,
whether folks can foster, volunteer again that that's really important.
So just a reminder too about the importance of spaying
and neutering.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
Okay, can you tell at more of you know, if
somebody is interested in having their animal spade or.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
New absolutely, you know we offer those services, as I said,
you know our veterinary medical center. Again, it's important, you know,
just as the spathon is important for community cats, you know,
it's very important to spain, neuter owned animals again because
to prevent unwanted litters, you know, we're seeing you know,
that's one of the questions we get a lot is,
(19:31):
you know, is the high capacity because people are returning
those pandemic pets And it's really not. But what we
did see during that pandemic time is some interruption to
veterinary care and spaying and neutering kind of things. So
people got a little off scotus. So well, that's not
one hundred percent. Uh, it can be a contributing factor
(19:53):
as to why we're seeing still some higher numbers of
animals in our care.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
You know, we live in very precarious economic times and
so you know, when somebody is faced that they have
an animal that they love but they may be struggling financially,
you have different programs to help individuals like that. Can
you talk about Ellie's pantry a little bit more?
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Yeah, so again as we see, you know, and it's
much like pet parents are much like human parents, where
sometimes they will do more for their pet and their
child than they may do for themselves.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
So I definitely do more for my pet than my kids.
That's you know, I'm sure they would agree.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
With that, but yeah, so but again, but we have
seen that too, where folks will maybe sacrifice even some
of their own their own health and maybe their own feeding,
you know, and and needs, but to put their pets.
So again, to be able to offer through Ellie's Pet Pantry,
that bridge so that if folks do have a pet
(21:01):
or pets and they need that help to get them
through to keep that pet in their home, that's wonderful
and we so we do that. But again, we are
seeing some incredible numbers over the last year. Year over year,
we saw seventy percent increase in the need of people
(21:21):
coming to us, and we're to that number. We're still
continuing to see that pace as we move here into
twenty twenty five. So just last year alone, we served
over eight thousand pets were served through Ellie's Pet Pantry,
and that was an incredible amount of over seventy one
thousand pounds of food that we distributed. But we also
(21:43):
know that those pets. By doing that, we also kept
those pets out of shelters and we kept them in
homes where they were loved and cared for. And you know,
a lot of times this is just a temporary bridge,
but to help people in that time, and that's important.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
You really were lying on donations from the community, and
you also rely on individuals like Jim who's a new
board member. He works for Berkshire Hathaway and you've been
involved with Ellie's and so tell me about your team
and how have they embraced your vision and helping out Harp.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
It's you know, I'm extremely proud of our team. We're
lucky enough that our footprint in western Pennsylvania and eastern
Ohio is large. So we have forty seven branches, forty
seven sales offices in that territory, and each one of
those offices have really jumped in and we moved their doghouse,
(22:39):
the Harp doghouse, from office to office, and they call
it stuff the doghouse. So you know, we will advertise
in that local market that the doghouse will be at
a particular office and then people come from all around
and including our salesforce, you know, our sales agents, and
we have filled these doghouses to the brim. So it's
really nice the embracing that our community unity has given
(23:00):
to our company, and our company, from our employees to
our sales team has really embraced this organization.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
How many branches do you oversee?
Speaker 3 (23:09):
So we have forty seven branches, forty seven branches.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
You oversee forty seven brand How do you find time
to also? And I appreciate your philanthropic efforts to help
out HARP, but where do you find the time? Anne Michelle,
you're a brand new board member and she drags you
out on the Sunday morning.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
It's because it's what I want to do.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
God good, So again, tell I kind of interrupted. You know,
you're talking about how your salesforce has really come together
and helped the vision for for a Human Animal Rescue.
Speaker 3 (23:40):
Yeah, and we have twenty one hundred So you say
forty seven offices. We have twenty one hundreds realtors, sales
associates and over four hundred employees. So it's nice that
they have all really have become very excited, as excited
as I am to support such a great organization. And
like I said, we started early. Or I walked into
(24:01):
my office the other day and on the floor there
are bags of pigs food and I'm like, why do
we have bags of pigs food? But by the way,
my dog comes to the office every day with me
and she wants to know what's in that bag of
pigs food.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
Sure, yeah, it's test food.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
Testa saying is that for me? Or who is that
food for?
Speaker 1 (24:18):
So?
Speaker 3 (24:18):
No, like I said, it's great to see.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
And so you didn't have pig food hanging out in
the office becoming a board member.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
No, before we started having this little getting food in
for the Wildlife Center, we did not have pigs food
laying around.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
So and I think most people would assume that you
take care of dogs and cats, bunnies, but pigs as well.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Every once in a while we will see, you know,
some unique animals in our domestic shelters as well. So, yes,
we've had ducks, we've had geese, we've had goats. Usually
they're with us for a short time and then we
work with other more species related rescues.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
And with the Wildlife Rehab Center, you have all sorts.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Of all sorts of things up there.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
What are some of the animals that have been been
called in too.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
We have had porcupines, We've had eagles, We've had you know,
lots of birds of prey, red hawks, snakes, rabbits, bunnies, bats, beavers. Yes,
so it's quite a Monasgerie up there.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
So if you got to the website to look at
the items that they would like donated for the wildlife center,
one of the most interesting things that I saw were
welding gloves, and I'm like, why would they want welding?
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Is that for the porcupine?
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Well, again, it's to handle animals, so whether you're handling
or an owl, you know, or birds of prey.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Yes, yeah, So it's amazing the type of items that
they really do need donated to be able to do.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
What are some of the other items that you're looking.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
You know, everything from paper towels to as Jim said,
welding gloves, heater you know, heating pads you know, again
to keep those babies warm, you know, and especially when
they're they're young. So again it is a diverse list.
So if folks are you know, at a loss for
how do I make a difference, you know, you'll be
amazed if you just go out to our website, you know,
Human Animal Rescue dot Org. Look under that give tab
(26:17):
and you'll see all our wish lists. Again there's something
and again you know everybody's online retailer. You can have
those items delivered right to the Wildlife Center, even things
like cheerios. It is amazing that young animals, you know,
that can be part of their diet is those cheerios,
just like we all gave our kids when we were
(26:37):
they were little.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
In addition to donations, you're always looking for volunteers. Absolutely,
what kind of time commitment would somebody have to give
to to become a volunteer.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
You know, again, there are different opportunities based on the
you know, hours that people can give. So if it's
something that you know, people have weekly time to give,
you know, things like dog walking, cat cuddling at the
wildlife center, you know, whether it is helping with food preparation,
but you know administrative thing, you know, we always need
(27:06):
folks who can you know, organize and do and help
with mailings those kind of things. So there really is
an opportunity for everyone. So again we encourage folks to
check out again that website and look under that volunteer
tab to see what might you know interest them.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
All right, we only have a couple of minutes left,
so Jim, I want to get your impression. What do
you want people to know about HARP.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
The tremendous amount of work that it takes to provide
the care and need to animals, whether domestic animals or
wild animals. It takes an incredible amount of people's work
and contributions. You know, this organization survives on contributions. It's
not like we have products that we can sell. We're
(27:57):
not really a revenue based operation. We have to raise
money and it's from the community and companies like myselves
or individuals who can support such an incredible cause. But
the infrastructure is big. It's a very big infrastructure. It
takes a lot of money to support. But the whole
purpose is the care for animals. And we all know
(28:19):
what kind of love animals give back to us, so
as we in the community have to give that support
back to the animals.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Well as an animal lover. Thank you for stepping up
and becoming a board member and helping out this great organization. Michelle,
of course, I want to thank you for everything that
you guys do, and it's a pleasure. You guys are
always welcome, and thank you for coming by.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
Thank you, and thank you for again continue us to
give us this voice to talk with your audience and
educate them about all the work that we do and
hopefully whether we can support them and their pets, or
they can support us. We appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Get more information at Humaneanimal Rescue dot org. Michelle Jim,
thank you so.
Speaker 3 (28:58):
Much, Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:00):
As usual. If you have any comments, concerns, or an
idea for a future program, please email us from this
radio station's website.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
Now.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
I'm Johnny Harckwell, thank you so much for listening.
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Drive to learn more,
And welcome in. This is a public affairs program shedding
the light on the interest, issues and concerns of the
greater Pittsburgh area. Good morning to you. My name is
Johnny heart Will I'm your host. Today. We're going to
be talking to the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. If
you hear the word HARP, that's kind of the acronym
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. Let's say hello to an
old friend, Michelle Frenier. Good morning, Good to see you again.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
Good to see you as always, Johnny, thanks for having us.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Michelle is the director of Marketing, and introduce your friend here.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
I am delighted to bring with me today a board
member from HARP, Jim Saxon, who is also COO and
president of Berkshire Hathaway Home Service.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Are we talking realty today? Are we talking houses today?
Speaker 3 (00:48):
No? I don't think we're talking about houses. I think
we're talking about animals and HARP.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Okay, well, so you're a board member. So when did
you join HARP and what's your association.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
We began our affiliation with HARP in the fall of
twenty twenty four, and when we decided that that was
the organization we wanted to support. I said, well, if
we're going to support this organization, I want to get
all involved and try to become a board member. And
about the exact same time is when I became the
board member.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Also, good for you. Now have you always been an
animal lover?
Speaker 3 (01:21):
Oh? My god? Ever since I can remember?
Speaker 1 (01:23):
What's your first animal? What's the first one?
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Well, first is my own? Or when I was growing
up with growing up, grown up? I had are you Trum?
Pittsburgh from the South Hills, a corner raised in the
South Hills. Never left, love it. But I've always had animals.
I always have had dogs, cats, many different breeds, but
ever since my wife and I got married, the breed
of choice has been the Airdale Terrierky. And if you've
(01:47):
ever had an Airdale Terrier, they fit the meaning of terrier.
Speaker 1 (01:51):
What does that mean?
Speaker 3 (01:52):
That means they have a mind of their own. They
can be extremely stubborn and they tell you what life
is supposed to be all about.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Well, tell me who's in charge of your house? What's
what's what's he? What was her name?
Speaker 3 (02:04):
Her name is Tessa? Okay, now I'm not quite sure
she's actually in charge. It might be the two cats
that are in charge. But then we so we have
two calicos okay, and they are bonded sisters. They were
rescues also. They are probably now seven years old, and
one is Chloe and one is Missy okay.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
And so you've been so you're going to tell me
your first pet when you when you were a child.
Speaker 3 (02:32):
As a child, the first pet was a German shepherd.
Her name was Lannie, and Lannie was a person. She
was not a dog. Yes, she was a fabulous dog.
Never needed a leash, walked by your side, stayed with you,
she was aware of everything that was happening around her.
She was a great dog.
Speaker 1 (02:48):
And so you joined, you know, the board last year,
so you're relatively new to.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
The very new Yes, extremely it's been six months now.
Speaker 1 (02:56):
So what have you learned about HARP.
Speaker 3 (02:58):
Well, probably the biggest thing that I have learned and
it's what we are involved with. It's Ellie's Pantry, which
is to basically help families in need keep their families
or keep their animals at home and be able to
support food and supplies for them. So I was lucky
(03:19):
enough to be at one of the pickup centers a
few months ago and experience. Just how individuals love their
animals and they are they are in need, they do
need the help of the organization. And how Harp handled
each individual was amazing to me. When a car would
(03:41):
drive up, you know, they would know the people individually.
Obviously this has been going on for years. But it's
not like they would just say, Okay, here's your dry food,
here's here's your cat food. Whatever. They would ask about
the animal, how the animals are doing. It was amazing
how many animals some of these people had. If they
need medicaid food, if they needed wet food, if they
(04:02):
need a dry food, if they need a certain lit,
or if they need a clay litter, if they needed
wooden lit. I mean I was sitting there watching these
volunteers and employees hand out these supplies. It was absolutely amazing.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
And did I hear you talking to Michelle that you
have pig feed at Berkshire Hathaway.
Speaker 3 (04:20):
Well, right now they are shy home and get the
pig feed. Well you can if you want. I mean,
we can make anything happen. Michelle, What is going on
right now for the wildlife center?
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Yeah, so we have Some folks may not know that
in addition to our two domestic shelters, we have a
wildlife Rehabilitation center, so that takes care of injured and
abandoned wildlife, any type of wildlife other than bear and
whitetail deer. So as we are entering here into April,
April starts baby season, so our Wildlife center will be
(04:57):
inundated with everything from baby bunny's, baby squirrels, raccoons. So
our Wildlife Center is doing a campaign called Pilliness, so
much like our phil a Doghouse campaign which Berkshire Hathaway
is part of, Fill a Nest helps get supplies needed
for the wildlife babies that we were coming. So everything
(05:19):
from nuts and berries, mealworms, to baby food, baby yam,
baby food, dams. So we have a gift registry as
it were on our home or our website, and so
folks can give items to that as well, and so
we're delighted that Berkshire Hathaway supports that as well.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
All right, so if somebody wants more information or wants
to give or donate, they could do that at the website.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
Yes, if they go to our website Humaneanimal Rescue dot
Org and look under the tab give It talks about
ways to give so gifts of supplies and they can
check out all of our wish lists there.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
Michelle, I know that, you know, the community involvement is
vital for your existence and you do so much for
the community. So it's you know, it's organizations like Berkshire
Hathaway that really step up that that is the heartbeat
of what you guys do.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
Absolutely, and you know, as Jim alluded to, the need
is really great. You know, we understand that, you know,
people have been experiencing some very challenging economic times and
we also know that shelters over the last couple of
years have been struggling with being at or near capacity.
And one of the things that is so important to
(06:33):
our organization is to how can we keep animals out
of the shelter if we can, and if they're already
in a loving and caring home and have owners who
really love them but are just struggling to care for them,
if we can intercede with programs like Ellie's Pet Pantry
and help them bridge those challenges, that's what we want
(06:57):
to do.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
For somebody who's just tuning in, tell us about Ellis Pantry.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
So Ellie's Ellie's Pet Pantry is just just like a
human pet pant. Pet pantry, so I so we provide
dry and wet dog and cat food, but also in
addition to that, we also offer other things that a
pet owner may be needing. So the things like cat litter, collars, leashes, beds, crates, toys,
(07:26):
you know, they are wonderful things that you know, our
supporters donate or provide to us new And so what
we do is Ellie's Pet Pantry. Folks need to register
for that and it's a very easy process. Again, folks
can go to our website and find out more information
Humaneanimal Rescue dot org and then again look under programs
(07:47):
and resources and they'll find Ellie's Pet Pantry.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
Are people reluctant to sign up for a program like that.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
They may be, but again I hope that they're not
because again we really want to make sure again we
know how meaning full you know from you know, we
think back to the days of COVID when people, you know,
we're looking to add pets to their family, but we
know how important pets can be in a family and
the emotional support that they provide. So it's we hope
(08:14):
that again if we can help them take care of
those pets, that ultimately helps them get care as well.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
How many animals do you think HARP takes care of
in any given year.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
Well, in any given year animal between our two domestic shelters,
our veterinary medical centers, our wildlife Center, it's over twenty
one thousand animals that receive care are touched by HARP
in a year.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
That's like, I'm not a math major by any stretch
of the imagination. That's over fifty animals every single day.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Yes, yes, so again we and we couldn't do what
we do without volunteers and support from companies and organizations
like Berkshire Hathaway. So that's why it's so important.
Speaker 1 (08:57):
So Jim, when you you've joined the board of Home
last year, what was that experience like?
Speaker 3 (09:05):
At first, I really didn't know it was something that Okay,
I know about HARP, I know what they do, but
until you really get involved and get down into the trenches,
you don't know how vital and is and how important
it is. I think the one event I think happened
right after I joined, they had it called a spade
a thon and in one day at their veterinarian clinics
(09:26):
which are housed in their facilities, and one day they
spade over five hundred cats.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
And when you hear something like that, it's amazing the
amount of effort and work.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
I was just going to ask them to show what
kind of you know, effort is it five hundred cats?
How long of a span was that?
Speaker 2 (09:44):
It was twenty four hours, So that's amazing day. Twenty
four hours, So twenty four continuous hours, yes, goosebumps. So
and again these aren't own cats. These are what we
would call community cats. So there cats that live in
the community. They're outdoors. They they're really not owned. But
so working through volunteers and groups that trap and rescue
(10:08):
these animals, they're brought into HARP, they're spey, are neutered,
they're given all their vaccines, they're given that ear tip
so that folks that know that they have been spader
neutered and that they're good to go. And then what
that helps us to do is control that pet population
so that the population does not continue to grow. And
(10:32):
that's done obviously we have a wonderful team of veterinarians
and vetechs and stuff.
Speaker 1 (10:36):
But we couldn't do, but we.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Could do so. Again, there are hundreds of volunteers that
take part to make that happen. It is an incredible
thing to watch that, you know, at when it starts
at five o'clock in the morning, in the morning and
the cats coming in in carriers and volunteers checking them in,
and you know, there's this whole system, and then throughout
(11:00):
that twenty four hours more and more cats being brought in,
They're having their surgeries, they're going to recovery. It is
an incredible sight and the impact is amazing.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
You know, I've known I've known you in heart for
a long long time, and I'm always amazed that there's
something like, you know, something like you just said that
I was not aware of, Yeah, which is so vital
for this community.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
Yes, I mean, you know, obviously owned pets are actually
very important, but again it's also again all of the
different ways that HARP can touch our community is important.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Now you touched a little bit about the Wildlife Rehab Center.
Can you tell us a little bit more about that
facet of the organization.
Speaker 2 (11:46):
Sure, so, you know, many folks aren't aware of this,
but it is a facility in Verona and it cares
for as I said, wild injured and abandoned wildlife. So
and you know, it's incredible to see the work that
they do. I just was on and we were talking
about this before we you know, started recording. An outlet
(12:08):
had been found on one of the local golf courses
and they felt that it was probably blown out of
the nest during one of the recent storms. That outlet
was brought to us. He was in relatively good condition,
probably a little dehydrated and needed a little bit of care,
but working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the folks
at the golf course, he was placed back in that
(12:30):
tree and is, you know, from the porch doing well.
So that is kind of the work that we are
doing at that or at that part of our organization.
Their goal really is to again rehabilitate and then have
that wildlife returned back to the wild. Very different from
our domestic shelters where we get very involved and you
(12:53):
know you'll see all the cute names of the animals.
It's a very we don't name those animals because again,
the goal is to get them.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
And so where do you find those animals?
Speaker 2 (13:07):
A lot of them are brought to us by the public.
You know, we have a helpline there, folks. You know,
if they find injured or if they think, you know,
they see baby wildlife in their yard, they can call
the helpline and say, you know, this is what I'm seeing.
Sometimes wildlife may not be abandoned, and so we we
do want to, you know, kind of caution folks as
(13:28):
to here are some things to do to make sure
you're not baby napping, because a lot of times maybe
somebody sees and nests of bunnies in their yard and
they don't see mom. Mom is probably closer by than
they realize. She just is probably out getting things to
feed her young babies. So our Wildlife center will give
(13:50):
them guidance on when it is appropriate to bring something in,
you know, ways to tell if mom is nearby. But
definitely if they find an injured wildlife, they can bring
it to our center there and we will do our
best to.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
What are some of the do's or don'ts when you
call the hotline, like there's there's certain like you said,
white tail, white tailed deer.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
Yeah, we do not care for white tail deer or
bear certain reptiles, but we do have you know, snakes
and lizards and those kind of things.
Speaker 1 (14:21):
I think I'd rather resue a bear.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
I believe you just returned a beaver back to the
wild so came in blind.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yeah, yeah, so we did have a case of a
We haven't had a beaver at the wildlife center in
a number of years. But as Jim mentioned, a beaver
who came to the Wildlife Repelta, we cared for a
number of months and is now at another facility in
(14:48):
Michigan where it is going to live there for a
while until it is ready to mate. There's another beaver
at that facility. So because beavers are familiar animals, so
it where this beaver was found. The family had moved on,
so again it again. We do want to make sure
(15:10):
that not only when we do re enter it into wildlife,
that it can survive.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
So she has the best stories.
Speaker 3 (15:18):
It's just amazing and this facility of my understanding, and
you asked me the question, what have I learned, is
the only facility of this nature? I believe in southwestern
Pennsylvania there is no other facility like this to care
for the wildlife like HARP is able to provide.
Speaker 1 (15:34):
We're talking when you hear the word HARP. That is
the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. We're talking with Michelle
and Jim who's a part of the board. So for
somebody who's not familiar with with HARP or the Humane
Animal Rescue kind of for people who are just tuning in,
tell us everything that the organization does well.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
HARP really is that we are one of the largest
animal welfare organizations here in Western Pennsylvania. We have two
domestic shelters, so those are the shelters that care for
domestic animals, cats, dogs, birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, those kind
of things. But as we just mentioned, we also have
our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. HARP came about as a merger
(16:21):
of two organizations, the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society in the
Animal Rescue League, and last year in twenty twenty four,
we celebrated our one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the organization.
So we really have a legacy of being part of
the Pittsburgh community and making a difference through the care
of animals because we understand that while we're caring for animals,
(16:45):
that also has a direct impact on the people of
Pittsburgh as well. So in addition to many folks may
think of us primarily as a place to adopt an animal,
which is certainly a large part of what we do.
But we also have two veterinary medical centers, and so
you have do not need to have adopted an animal
(17:06):
from us to use those services, and those we offer
preventative and you know, standard basic veterinary care, so everything
from vaccines, minor surgeries, space, neuters, exec folks can come
to us end. It's a low cost, high quality, so
it's probably about fifty percent or two thirds of maybe
a private veterinary practice that the services are that we provide.
(17:33):
We also have community programs, educational programs. Summer's coming, we
have summer camps, so we have camp from first grade
to twelfth grade, both at our domestic shelters and at
the Wildlife Center. There are wonderful opportunities to volunteer, whether
it's at the shelter, at the wildlife center, or maybe fostering.
(17:56):
You know, if you're maybe not ready to adopt a
pet but still have a love for pet. We are
always in need of foster animals so they can care
for animals who are quite not ready to be adopted,
whether they're young, kittens or puppies, or maybe they've had
some medical issues or some came from a situation where
they need a little more care, or animals that need
(18:17):
that shelter break.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
So what is the the census when it comes to
the animals. What's the busy season for harp Well.
Speaker 2 (18:29):
We would use to say that it would probably be spring,
you know, as babys, but as we are seeing in
as many shelters across the country, it is constantly busy.
We are experiencing high capacity of the number of animals
in our care and that's not surprising. You know, we're
not the only shelter to do that.
Speaker 1 (18:49):
So it's year round.
Speaker 2 (18:50):
It is year round. So again, whether folks can adopt,
whether folks can foster, volunteer again that that's really important.
So just a reminder too about the importance of spaying
and neutering.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
Okay, can you tell at more of you know, if
somebody is interested in having their animal spade or.
Speaker 2 (19:08):
New absolutely, you know we offer those services, as I said,
you know our veterinary medical center. Again, it's important, you know,
just as the spathon is important for community cats, you know,
it's very important to spain, neuter owned animals again because
to prevent unwanted litters, you know, we're seeing you know,
that's one of the questions we get a lot is,
(19:31):
you know, is the high capacity because people are returning
those pandemic pets And it's really not. But what we
did see during that pandemic time is some interruption to
veterinary care and spaying and neutering kind of things. So
people got a little off scotus. So well, that's not
one hundred percent. Uh, it can be a contributing factor
(19:53):
as to why we're seeing still some higher numbers of
animals in our care.
Speaker 1 (19:59):
You know, we live in very precarious economic times and
so you know, when somebody is faced that they have
an animal that they love but they may be struggling financially,
you have different programs to help individuals like that. Can
you talk about Ellie's pantry a little bit more?
Speaker 2 (20:18):
Yeah, so again as we see, you know, and it's
much like pet parents are much like human parents, where
sometimes they will do more for their pet and their
child than they may do for themselves.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
So I definitely do more for my pet than my kids.
That's you know, I'm sure they would agree.
Speaker 2 (20:39):
With that, but yeah, so but again, but we have
seen that too, where folks will maybe sacrifice even some
of their own their own health and maybe their own feeding,
you know, and and needs, but to put their pets.
So again, to be able to offer through Ellie's Pet Pantry,
that bridge so that if folks do have a pet
(21:01):
or pets and they need that help to get them
through to keep that pet in their home, that's wonderful
and we so we do that. But again, we are
seeing some incredible numbers over the last year. Year over year,
we saw seventy percent increase in the need of people
(21:21):
coming to us, and we're to that number. We're still
continuing to see that pace as we move here into
twenty twenty five. So just last year alone, we served
over eight thousand pets were served through Ellie's Pet Pantry,
and that was an incredible amount of over seventy one
thousand pounds of food that we distributed. But we also
(21:43):
know that those pets. By doing that, we also kept
those pets out of shelters and we kept them in
homes where they were loved and cared for. And you know,
a lot of times this is just a temporary bridge,
but to help people in that time, and that's important.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
You really were lying on donations from the community, and
you also rely on individuals like Jim who's a new
board member. He works for Berkshire Hathaway and you've been
involved with Ellie's and so tell me about your team
and how have they embraced your vision and helping out Harp.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
It's you know, I'm extremely proud of our team. We're
lucky enough that our footprint in western Pennsylvania and eastern
Ohio is large. So we have forty seven branches, forty
seven sales offices in that territory, and each one of
those offices have really jumped in and we moved their doghouse,
(22:39):
the Harp doghouse, from office to office, and they call
it stuff the doghouse. So you know, we will advertise
in that local market that the doghouse will be at
a particular office and then people come from all around
and including our salesforce, you know, our sales agents, and
we have filled these doghouses to the brim. So it's
really nice the embracing that our community unity has given
(23:00):
to our company, and our company, from our employees to
our sales team has really embraced this organization.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
How many branches do you oversee?
Speaker 3 (23:09):
So we have forty seven branches, forty seven branches.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
You oversee forty seven brand How do you find time
to also? And I appreciate your philanthropic efforts to help
out HARP, but where do you find the time? Anne Michelle,
you're a brand new board member and she drags you
out on the Sunday morning.
Speaker 3 (23:26):
It's because it's what I want to do.
Speaker 1 (23:28):
God good, So again, tell I kind of interrupted. You know,
you're talking about how your salesforce has really come together
and helped the vision for for a Human Animal Rescue.
Speaker 3 (23:40):
Yeah, and we have twenty one hundred So you say
forty seven offices. We have twenty one hundreds realtors, sales
associates and over four hundred employees. So it's nice that
they have all really have become very excited, as excited
as I am to support such a great organization. And
like I said, we started early. Or I walked into
(24:01):
my office the other day and on the floor there
are bags of pigs food and I'm like, why do
we have bags of pigs food? But by the way,
my dog comes to the office every day with me
and she wants to know what's in that bag of
pigs food.
Speaker 1 (24:12):
Sure, yeah, it's test food.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
Testa saying is that for me? Or who is that
food for?
Speaker 1 (24:18):
So?
Speaker 3 (24:18):
No, like I said, it's great to see.
Speaker 1 (24:21):
And so you didn't have pig food hanging out in
the office becoming a board member.
Speaker 3 (24:26):
No, before we started having this little getting food in
for the Wildlife Center, we did not have pigs food
laying around.
Speaker 1 (24:33):
So and I think most people would assume that you
take care of dogs and cats, bunnies, but pigs as well.
Speaker 2 (24:40):
Every once in a while we will see, you know,
some unique animals in our domestic shelters as well. So, yes,
we've had ducks, we've had geese, we've had goats. Usually
they're with us for a short time and then we
work with other more species related rescues.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
And with the Wildlife Rehab Center, you have all sorts.
Speaker 2 (25:04):
Of all sorts of things up there.
Speaker 1 (25:06):
What are some of the animals that have been been
called in too.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
We have had porcupines, We've had eagles, We've had you know,
lots of birds of prey, red hawks, snakes, rabbits, bunnies, bats, beavers. Yes,
so it's quite a Monasgerie up there.
Speaker 3 (25:27):
So if you got to the website to look at
the items that they would like donated for the wildlife center,
one of the most interesting things that I saw were
welding gloves, and I'm like, why would they want welding?
Speaker 1 (25:38):
Is that for the porcupine?
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Well, again, it's to handle animals, so whether you're handling
or an owl, you know, or birds of prey.
Speaker 3 (25:45):
Yes, yeah, So it's amazing the type of items that
they really do need donated to be able to do.
Speaker 1 (25:52):
What are some of the other items that you're looking.
Speaker 2 (25:54):
You know, everything from paper towels to as Jim said,
welding gloves, heater you know, heating pads you know, again
to keep those babies warm, you know, and especially when
they're they're young. So again it is a diverse list.
So if folks are you know, at a loss for
how do I make a difference, you know, you'll be
amazed if you just go out to our website, you know,
Human Animal Rescue dot Org. Look under that give tab
(26:17):
and you'll see all our wish lists. Again there's something
and again you know everybody's online retailer. You can have
those items delivered right to the Wildlife Center, even things
like cheerios. It is amazing that young animals, you know,
that can be part of their diet is those cheerios,
just like we all gave our kids when we were
(26:37):
they were little.
Speaker 1 (26:38):
In addition to donations, you're always looking for volunteers. Absolutely,
what kind of time commitment would somebody have to give
to to become a volunteer.
Speaker 2 (26:45):
You know, again, there are different opportunities based on the
you know, hours that people can give. So if it's
something that you know, people have weekly time to give,
you know, things like dog walking, cat cuddling at the
wildlife center, you know, whether it is helping with food preparation,
but you know administrative thing, you know, we always need
(27:06):
folks who can you know, organize and do and help
with mailings those kind of things. So there really is
an opportunity for everyone. So again we encourage folks to
check out again that website and look under that volunteer
tab to see what might you know interest them.
Speaker 1 (27:24):
All right, we only have a couple of minutes left,
so Jim, I want to get your impression. What do
you want people to know about HARP.
Speaker 3 (27:35):
The tremendous amount of work that it takes to provide
the care and need to animals, whether domestic animals or
wild animals. It takes an incredible amount of people's work
and contributions. You know, this organization survives on contributions. It's
not like we have products that we can sell. We're
(27:57):
not really a revenue based operation. We have to raise
money and it's from the community and companies like myselves
or individuals who can support such an incredible cause. But
the infrastructure is big. It's a very big infrastructure. It
takes a lot of money to support. But the whole
purpose is the care for animals. And we all know
(28:19):
what kind of love animals give back to us, so
as we in the community have to give that support
back to the animals.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
Well as an animal lover. Thank you for stepping up
and becoming a board member and helping out this great organization. Michelle,
of course, I want to thank you for everything that
you guys do, and it's a pleasure. You guys are
always welcome, and thank you for coming by.
Speaker 2 (28:40):
Thank you, and thank you for again continue us to
give us this voice to talk with your audience and
educate them about all the work that we do and
hopefully whether we can support them and their pets, or
they can support us. We appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (28:53):
Get more information at Humaneanimal Rescue dot org. Michelle Jim,
thank you so.
Speaker 3 (28:58):
Much, Thank you, Thank you.
Speaker 1 (29:00):
As usual. If you have any comments, concerns, or an
idea for a future program, please email us from this
radio station's website.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
Now.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
I'm Johnny Harckwell, thank you so much for listening.
Speaker 4 (29:21):
Hitsburg divas are gathering to make sweet music in the
beautiful hills near Swickly to fight cancer. I'm Bonnie Diver
inviting you to join me for the Songs for Live
concert to benefit hair Piece Charities. Five of the most soulful,
jazzy rock and sol divas will entertain in a beautiful
outdoor setting your Swekly on Saturday, May thirty. First bring
(29:43):
your lawn chairs and picnic basket or order one of
our catered box stinners. Get tickets at Hairpeace dot org.
That's hair Peace, Hey.
Speaker 1 (29:52):
Life doesn't stop when cancer starts. Some don't make it
to treatment simply because they don't have a ride. You
can change that tier to drive with the American Cancer
Society Road to Recovery Program. Visit Cancer dot org Slash
Drive to learn more,
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