We are about to complete a record year for adoptions and DDFL transfers at the Humane Society of Cherokee County. It looks like we'll have found homes for approximately 240 animals for 2008. That's up from 123 in 2007, about 85 in 2006, and somewhere around 60 for 2005.

Our growth was greatly augmented by transfers to Denver (about 90 dogs)and a much higher degree of public awareness of our organization. We are blessed with a local newspaper (The Tahlequah Daily Press) that keeps the public informed on animal issues and runs an HSCC "Pet of the Week" story with picture each week. We also opened a new resale store in November.

Our Zootoo points are picking up again and we've moved back to number 5 in the rankings.

Thanks to many new dog walking volunteers, the dogs got out for exercise more often than they did in past years. The exercise pens we put up last year are welcome help for exercise and play with the dogs.

Several of the dogs we thought "unadoptable" were adopted or taken out of the shelter for foster in the last few months.

We had setbacks due to illness and unfortunately lost three sweet little puppies to parvo. I grieve for all of them. We managed to save one Parvo puppy (Barby) and she eventually got a wonderful home in Tahlequah.

All in all, a good year with many tough lessons learned.
Let's pull for 2009 president Norm Carlile.