...IS WORTH far MORE THAN A POUND OF CURE

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Among the hundreds of residents in our network, there have always been the few dozen who are more active in the various elements of fostering, adopting, finding, re-homing, reuniting, providing medical care and the necessary support functions required.
 

This time of year is always a challenge. During the same time span in 2022, Bellaire Pound Hounds endured more than 150 days of neglect and abuse by the folks who manufactured “alternative facts” in their crusade against science, common sense and common decency.
 

The urgency of 100+ degree Heat Indexes for the next 6 months is compounded by changes in individual circumstance among IAAD volunteers. Specifically, we have lost, will be losing, a few key players to high school/college graduation, relocations to other parts of the state/U.S., a couple of deaths/long-term illness, divorce, etc.
 

We're working hard to recruit/replace them. Meanwhile, to the extent we're successful, the fairly consistent number of dogs that we have served over the past 5 quarters (last year and these 1st 3 months of 2023) are as follows:
 

Per month, In Bellaire alone, we pick up 10 -12 dogs.
On an overlapping, revolving basis @ any given time, we house
1 - 3 days (owners are usually found quickly)  … 6 to 10 dogs
4 to 10 days ... 5 to 18 dogs
11 to 21 days ... 6 dogs
22 to 42 days ... 5 to 9 dogs
"Indefinite" ... 4 to 8 dogs
 

We have 18 registered fosters with local and interstate Rescues (both breed-specific and mutts) ... 15 are currently occupied and 3 are considering permanent placement.
 

Pending Adoptions/Rescues (required waiting periods, vaccinations, neutering/spaying, heart worm treatments) ... 8 - 12 dogs

We have had 11 euthanasias in the past 17 months. This has been done only in cases of untreatable injury or terminal disease. This last resort decision requires recommendation by 2 of 3 consulting Vets (we have 5) and unanimous agreement by 3 randomly selected members of our Mercy Panel on a, "what would I do if this was my family member?" case-by-case basis. We have placed 4 “vicious (abused) dogs” with our phenomenal Dog Whisperer. 3 have been rehomed successfully and one is still under his therapeutic care.
 

Although we have a few "non-profit" entities registered, we never solicit or accept donations. Such would require too much time, attention, red tape *** and would be counterproductive to the primary objective. Many of our less affluent volunteers provide much more valuable contributions in time and grunt work than a $1,000 check. We don't have to worry about "passing the hat", The dogs always have what they need before they need it.

Over the past 17 months all expenses have totaled a minimum of $33,310.65 that our “angels” have paid directly to vendors, providers, vets and other 3rdparties. All of this money is paid directly to those 3rd parties. Our Accounting program identifies every penny, but IAAD does not collect, handle or distribute any funds.
 

Individually, a minimum of $12,461.00 has been donated to other, more traditional animal welfare organizations. In-kind and pro bono donations haven’t been quantified.

*** Please forgive the “copy & paste” gibberish, but as our lawyers advise, the message is clear. TX state law (and IRS regulations) require maintenance and public access, by any individual) to all financial records of any 5013(c), but for inapplicable exceptions. Violation of this state law is a Class B Misdemeanor and is punishable by fines of $2,000 and 6 months imprisonment.
 

Many legit organizations just post their accounting records and 990’s on their websites to save everyone the time and trouble. That’s usually sufficient.
 

Re: Information for Public Inspection, BOC Sec. 22.353 (Non-Profits)

Sec. 22.353. AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC

INSPECTION. (a) A corporation shall keep records, books, and annual

reports of the corporation' s financial activity at the corporation 's (sic)

registered or principal office in this state for at least three years

after the close of the fiscal year.

(b) The corporation shall make the records, books, and reports

available to the public for inspection and copying at the corporation 's

registered or principal office during regular business hours. The

corporation may charge a reasonable fee for preparing a copy of a

record or report.

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 182, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.