VERO BEACH — The Indian River County Board of Commissioners and City of Vero Beach have declared March 24-30 as “Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County Week” in honor of The Humane Society’s sixtieth anniversary.
Formal proclamations were read on Tuesday highlighting The Humane Society’s work protecting all animals regardless of species or condition, its promotion of spaying and neutering, its efforts to find homes for companion animals, and its work to keep animals with families that love them by offering low cost pet wellness and food bank services.
“We’re honored that the county and city have recognized our efforts to help the animals of our community. We’re looking forward to a future where animals have loving, forever homes,” Humane Society Executive Director Chalmers Morse said.
Morse and Director of Animal Protective Services Ilka Daniel accepted the proclamations and thanked the city and county.
Daniel acknowledged the shelter’s long standing and collaborative relationship with the community.
“Sixty years of service can only be attributed to successful partnerships between our Humane Society, the city of Vero Beach, Indian River County, the generosity of our donors, thousands of volunteers giving selflessly of their time, and a team of dedicated professionals sheltering the thousands of homeless creatures of all kinds,” Daniel explained.
Founded as the Animal Protective Society of Vero Beach in 1953 by Peggy Kuster, The HSVBIRC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping and protecting the animals of Indian River County.
The Humane Society currently accepts between 6,000-7,000 animals annually.