The Stafford Animal Shelter is an ‘Open Door Shelter’

We accept every pet in need: abandoned or homeless, unwanted litters from unspayed and uneutered animals, and those confiscated by control officers for cruelty. The only nonprofit animal care facility in Park County, we serve the people and pets of the greater Southwestern Montana community as the only Shelter in the region that accepts all lost or unwanted pets; not just dogs and cats. We also serve as the care facility for animals impounded for being at large, cruelty cases, and emergencies by city and county animal control officers. We open our doors to nearly a thousand animals each year with approximately half being reclaimed and half adopted. Every adoptable pet is spayed or neutered prior to adoption.

History

2009 Cat Wing Construction

The Humane Society of Park County was founded in 1986 by area individuals dedicated to animal welfare who initially found homes for displaced pets and educated the public about the importance of spaying and neutering to reduce animal overpopulation. We became the Stafford Animal Shelter in 1999 when  a 4,500-square-foot facility was completed with a generous donation from Francis Stafford to house the community’s displaced pets and soon included the first in-house spay neuter clinic in the state. In 2009, a new cat wing was completed to more adequately house the community’s many abandoned cats. Summer 2011 we will begin construction to enhance the dog wing and build a special area for rabbits and other pocket pets. This project is funded by an anonymous local grantor.

Stafford Animal Shelter, the Humane Society of Park County, has no affiliation with the national Humane Society and, like all other Humane Societies around the country, receives no funding from them. We receive no national or state support and are funded almost entirely by small local donations.

Since opening our doors, we’ve refined our animal care services in response to growing knowledge about animal health care, behavioral assessment, training and prevention techniques, and the community’s growing needs. We remain flexible in response to crisis, changing demographics, and community needs as they arise.

Collaborators

Dedicated R.S.V.P. Volunteer Kitty Hall

We work closely with The Livingston Fixer Uppers who offer regular donation-based spay/neuter clinics; with Stafford Animal Shelter staff making daily referrals and volunteering at the clinics. Call Mary at 406/222-2134 for more information. We have close working relationships with local veterinarians; we refer adopters to them and they give adopters free initial exams. Colmey Veterinary Hospital and Livingston Veterinary Hospital provide medical care to our Special Medical Needs Fund recipients at a generous discount. We are fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers from Retired Senior Volunteer Program and appreciate all their support. We work closely with The Livingston Food Pantry to prevent pet surrenders, passing on pet food donated to us, as a large percentage of their low-income clients have pets. We also have contracts with the Cities of Livingston and Belgrade and Park County and work with Sweetgrass County to house all their impounded animals.

Call us at 406-222-2111 and visit us Tuesday through Saturday from 12 noon to 6 PM at 3 Business Park Road east of Livingston. (Map)

Staff

Staff Spring 2011

Executive Director, Vicki Blakeman has been with the Shelter since 2006. She believes the Stafford Animal Shelter is an integral part of the community and coordinates with other non-profits and local government to provide a comprehensive mix of services for community animals and their human friends.   Phone 406-222-1311, email sased@imt.net

Development Director, Kris King has two decades of nonprofit work and a decade of direct fundraising experience. She is our volunteer coordinator, advertising & PR expert and author of our popular Pet Personal ads.  Phone 406-222-1313, email shelterbark@imt.net

Veterinary Technician, Russ Himmelspach brings years of experience and exceptional efficiency in caring for the health needs of shelter animals. He is capably assisted by Amanda Herauf who is an animal care tech and is studying online for her Veterinary Technician certification.

Yvonne Venturino is a former Board Member, Animal Care Technician, special projects maven (including our handprinted pet prayer flags and clothing) and takes all of our excellent pet photographs.

Angie Bieschke has the toughest job with front desk triage of animal intake, reclamation and adoption. She is friendly and organized; making sure we all have the information we need.

Angela Thomas is our Animal Care Tech Supervisor. Charles Worth and Karyn Tilton are Animal Care Techs. Together these folks are the heart of our organization and provide for the physical and emotional well-being of all the animals during their stay with us.

Board Members

Genevieve Schmitt – President, is a journalist, marketing professional and founder of  WomenRidersNow.com, an online magazine about women and motorcycling, and TrikeRidersNow.com about three-wheeled motorcycles. She lives in Paradise Valley with her husband and three cats.

Andy Art – Vice President, is the restaurant manager at Chico Hot Springs and Day Spa. She has four dogs, four cats, five chickens and a goldfish; primarily rescues. She loves to make pottery for friends and shelter fundraisers, traveling, biking, hiking and skiing.

Courtney Kane – Secretary, is a nurse at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital and avid mid-long distance runner and telemark skier. She lives in Livingston with her husband and adopted dog.

Susan Dailey – Treasurer, lives on the Shields River with her husband, a golden retriever named Piper, one cat, four horses, and a flock of chickens.  A newly retired teacher and a lover of animals, she is happy to have the opportunity to work with the caring staff at the Stafford Animal Shelter.

Christopher Meyer is a former gandy dancer, an attorney, and the principal of www.cdmeyerlawfirm.com.  He is family to a pride of three cats.

Cindy Black has been a board member with the SAS since the fall of 2010. Cindy grew up in Livingston. She and her husband, Scott,  own and operate Mark’s In and Out in Livingston. She has two grown children, Reggie and Sylvia. Cindy has always cared deeply for animals and is happy to serve on the SAS board to help give them a voice.

Jessica Sutherland lives in Livingston with her husband, Tim, and owns Fine Custom Rustics - a custom woodworking business.  She loves all animals and has many – 1 Golden Retriever, 1 German Shorthair, 2 rescue/shelter cats, and a 260 gallon saltwater reef tank.

Tax Exempt & Financial Information

The Stafford Animal Shelter is a tax-exempt non-profit organization: Click to view our Form 990. Click to view our 501 (3) (c) nonprofit designation letter. We are dedicated to financially sound accounting practices and transparent accountability. You are welcome to set an appointment to learn more or look at our books if the above forms do not answer all your questions. Phone the Executive Director at 406/222-1311 or email sased@imt.net .

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