Synergy - working together

China was given support from two humane societies and two vets.

Synergy is defined as two or more things functioning together to produce a result not independently obtainable.  Without synergy we could not do the great work that we do.  We already have great synergy with the community at large but we have begun to work with other humane groups in the area in order to increase our Synergy Network of friends.   Here are a few stories of how we have been working with our partners and groups in 2012 that resulted in saving the lives of pets that may not have been saved otherwise.  First let me tell you about China.  Her original owners lived in Lynchburg and China found herself at the Lynchburg Humane Society when she got away from her owners.  As a result they re-homed her to a new family in Campbell County and China once again got away. Unfortunately this time she was hit by a car.  China arrived at Campbell County Animal Control for her mandatory stray period.  In hopes of getting help with medical attention for China, The Friends of Campbell County Animal Control contacted us.  We reached out to the original owners, however none of the owners were able to take responsibility.  On her last day, knowing that China would require expensive surgery, the Lynchburg Humane Society reached out to Peaks View Animal Hospital and the Animal Emergency & Critcal Care Hospital of Lynchburg to see if they could provide us with support.  We transferred China to LHS and got her the medical care she needed with the help of two very dedicated vets and a group of volunteers who couldn’t let this girl be euthanized.  China has since been adopted to a wonderful home.

China was the beneficiary of a number of groups’ synergy.  We have continued these great lifesaving relationships with other humane organizations in our community.  For instance, this holiday season we had a number of Adoption Open Houses.  In the spirit of our newfound working relationships, we invited Bedford Humane, Friends of Campbell County and Appomattox County to bring animals for adoption in hopes of increasing awareness and to help more pets find homes. Many pets found new homes and we were excited to be able to work with these other groups.

On that same day, the Lynchburg Humane Society acquired two dogs from Appomattox Pound and a third a week later in order to save these animals from possible euthanization. 

And finally, we had a dog abandoned at our spay/neuter clinic in Campbell County and we were unfortunately unable to take the dog in due to a full shelter.  Instead of Little Girl going to Campbell County Animal Control we were given assistance by All American Mutts who took her into their facility until LHS had space to house Little Girl and find her a wonderful home. 

We can save more lives with Synergy.  I feel that the community wants the same thing.  In the spring a volunteer from Appomattox is trying to put together a large regional adoption event where all the groups come together to help more pets find homes.  We are excited to be a part of this wonderful event.  As a result of our building better relationships in 2012, we hope we can work together with more groups this coming year to create an even larger synergized network in order to save more animals in our community.