MERGER COMMUNICATIONS
Frequently Asked
Questions
Does the merger mean
that Dakin Animal Shelter and/or the
No not at
all. Animal care, adoptions, admission
of stray and surrendered animals, and humane education programs will continue
at both our
We’ve heard that
you’re moving to
The tract
of land in
Why did the two
organizations choose to merge now?
The Dakin
Animal Shelter and Pioneer Valley Humane Society have engaged in dialogue about
consolidating as recently as the summer of 2005, and as far back as 2002. We determined that centralizing services
offers cost savings for organizational and animal care operations. The intended consolidation also offers
possibilities for broader outreach and educational programming, and expanded
potential to effect change on behalf of animals region-wide.
When will Dakin and
PVHS begin to function as one entity?
We are still
in the process of being incorporated as an entirely new non-profit organization
into which all the assets of both Dakin and PVHS will be transferred. The boards of directors, management, and
staff of the merged organization are designing and implementing strategies to
fully align and integrate our administrative, animal care, development,
finance, governance, and management functions.
This is likely to take six to ninth months.
What is the name of
the new organization?
The name of
the consolidated organization will be the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane
Society. Until certain legal and
financial aspects of the merger are complete, donors should continue to make
checks payable to either Dakin Animal Shelter or the Pioneer Valley Humane Society.
Are there differences
in the programming and animal care philosophies of the two organizations? If so, how will these be changed or modified
in the new merged organization?
The Dakin
and PVHS approach to and philosophy about animal care, including limited
admissions, intake and adoption criteria, medical procedures, and euthanasia
are closely aligned. We will continue to
operate with the same animal care philosophy that we have always espoused and
to identify and implement best practices in animal care.
How will the merger
affect employee? Will there be lay-offs
as a result of the merger?
It is too
early in the merger process to know what the staffing needs for the new
organization will be; however, we intend to retain all current staff and have
created avenues for staff input in designing processes and procedures for the
merged organization.
Are you affiliated
with the Humane Society of the
No neither
Dakin Animal Shelter nor the Pioneer Valley Humane Society is affiliated with the
Humane Society of the
If I make a
contribution to Dakin Animal Shelter or the
Until the consolidation
is complete and Dakin and PVHS finances are legally combined, contributions to
either organization will be recorded in and deposited to each organization’s
separate bank account. Donations will be
used for daily operations or for whatever other purpose specified by the donor.
Who should I contact
if I have additional questions?
We welcome
any questions that you might have about the consolidation. You can contact Leslie Harris, Executive
Director of the Dakin Animal Shelter at 413.548.9898, extension 2, or Martha
Cutt, Interim Director of Pioneer Valley Humane Society at 413.773.3148. You can find additional information about our
hours, our programs, and the many animals available for adoption at www.petz.org
and www.dakinshelter.org.