A Commitment for Life, Cashiers Highlands Humane Society

Written By: David Stroud - Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society | Issue: 2018/07 - July | Photograph By: Marty Boone

This past May marked my sixth anniversary as the Executive Director of the Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society.  May has been my favorite month ever since, because it serves as a time of reflection for just how far we have come in saving lives and finding forever homes. 

In April of this year, for example, we adopted more animals in one month than we did January-through-April combined just six years ago.  And every forever home we find means one more life we can rescue and care for at our no-kill shelter.

The month of May holds a special place in my heart for personal reasons, too.  This past May I celebrated my first wedding anniversary with my soulmate and fellow animal advocate Beth.  We had a very special wedding with all of our dogs in the ceremony.  At the time, Beth had four dogs and so did I (of course they all were adopted from shelters), and friends teased us that we were the “Brady Bunch” of the rescue world. 

On a sadder note, however, a few weeks ago I had to say goodbye to my best friend and “Best Man” at the wedding, my 12-year-old Kodi who is at the lower right of the picture at the top of this page.  Kodi was my Number One hiking buddy and leader of our canine pack, and his passing reminded me that bringing a canine or feline member into the family is a commitment for life, just as it is with our human partner.  For better or worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. 

Our shelter is oftentimes filled with pets surrendered by their owners who bring their animal family members to us at the first sign of inconvenience or expense.  Yes, those final months and years can be a struggle emotionally, physically, and financially.  But I would not have traded away even one of those last moments with Kodi despite the hardship and heartache.  As fellow animal lovers and responsible guardians for the pets entrusted to our care, I know that you understand.  And I thank you for your compassion, love and support for your own furry friends and family members, as well as for those finding a safe haven at our shelter.  It is, indeed, a commitment for life.

Established in 1987, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal shelter that receives no state or county tax dollars, and no funding from any national animal organization.  CHHS is located on Highway 64 in Sapphire, two miles east of the Cashiers Crossroads and is open 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. on Sunday.  For more information, visit us online at www.CHhumanesociety.org.  Tax-deductible donations to support our lifesaving work can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717.