Humane Society of Harford County Celebrates Memorable Grand Opening Weekend; Guests Contribute $30,000 for Equipment

From the Humane Society of Harford County:

2016 has been a banner year for homeless animals in Harford County, and the future looks stunningly bright as they head into 2017. Not only did The Humane Society of Harford County (HSHC) open a brand new, 19,000 square foot facility in late March, they have now secured the funding necessary to outfit their surgical suite with medical supplies and equipment. For the first time in its 70-year history, The Humane Society of Harford County will spay and neuter animals before adopting them into permanent homes.

On the evening of Friday, October 21, 2016, HSHC held a Grand Opening Preview Gala named A Night to Paws. The event was chaired by Harford County Executive Barry Glassman and co-chaired by George & Kathy Heidelmaier of It’s PayDay and Richard P. Streett, III, DVM, of Churchville, Greenbrier & Swan Creek Veterinary Clinics. Guests to this after-hours ticketed event were treated to hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, live music by BirdDog, and both guided and self-guided tours of the shelter. The Honorable Derek Hopkins, Register of Wills for Harford County, addressed the crowd and led a rousing fund drive to meet HSHC’s $30,000 goal to equip its surgical suite.

Sponsors were a major contributing factor to the evening’s success: Chesapeake Rent All; Paws 4 Life of Harford County, Inc.; Skylight Creative Ideas; American Design & Build; American Sentry Solar; Churchville, Greenbrier & Swan Creek Veterinary Clinics; Dixie Construction; DuClaw Brewing Company; The Greene Turtle; Harford Veterinary Medical Association; Hickory Veterinary Hospital; Jones Junction; The Mill; The Rotary Club of Aberdeen; Mr. & Mrs. Edward J. Simon; Diane Smith & Family; Advanced Eye Care; The ASPCA; Rich & Terry Baker; Baron’s K9 Country Store; Ferrell Fuel; Harford Mutual; Jordan Thomas Salon & Spa; La Cakerie; Laurel Bush Family Dentistry; Route 24 Ale House; Linda & Art Zilio; Judge David E. Carey; Fritz Farm & Nursery; The Humane Society of the United States; Janney Financial Advisors; and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

Continuing on the success of A Night to Paws, HSHC hosted a Ribbon Cutting on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Pictured in the attached photo is, from left to right: Jesse Bane; LaWanda Edwards, Senior Government Affairs Specialist, Harford County; Susan Burdette, Mayor, Town of Bel Air; Senator J.B. Jennings & son; Coach Slutzky, Harford County Council President; Colonel Steven Bodway, Chief Deputy, Harford County Sheriff’s Office; Pete Hicks, President, HSHC Board of Directors; Jen Swanson, HSHC Executive Director; David Craig, Executive Director of the WWI Centennial Commission; Senator Wayne Norman; Delegate Susan McComas; and Bill Fritz, who gave the blessing of the new shelter.