Five Questions With: M. Christie Smith

"The community supports us in many ways from kids with lemonade stands to businesses donating proceeds from sales."

Since 1981, M. Christie Smith has served as executive director of the Potter League for Animals based in Newport. She oversaw the construction of the league’s facility – the first animal shelter in the country and the first building in Rhode Island to receive LEED Gold distinction from the U.S. Green Building Council. Smith also is on the board of directors of the Ocean State Animal Coalition, which opened a subsidized spay neuter clinic serving all of Rhode Island. Here she discusses fundraising tactics and other plans for the league.

PBN: What is the biggest change, growth or shift you’ve seen in the Potter League for Animals as an organization?
SMITH:
After 34 years all I can say is, “Wow, things are so very different now!” As an organization, the Potter League has grown from a grassroots group to a mature and sustainable nonprofit.
Professional staffing, critical fundraising, core programs to meet community needs, and solid governance by the board of directors are in place. The Internet and social media have had a profound impact on how we operate, communicate and place animals into homes. Because of our national exposure and activities, we are able to learn and bring the best practices and newest trends in animal welfare back to Rhode Island.
Even the animals have changed. There are few litters of puppies in New England today. The Potter League works with distance shelter partners who, unlike us, still struggle with too many puppies and not enough homes. We save lives and transport animals to our facility and successfully find new homes for them. The Potter League annually cares for more cats than dogs – a shift that impacts our facility and programs. Our work now focuses on prevention and keeping animals in their homes and out of our shelter. Specialized training classes, behavior consultations, and a behavior HelpLine are vital to keeping animals in their homes. It is often said that the Best Shelter is a humane community – and the Potter League works collaboratively to ensure this.

PBN: You’ve been trying to recruit 500 walkers and raise $100,000 for homeless animals through the Heart & Sole Walk for Animals on June 7 at Glen Park. What would the funds raised be used for?
SMITH:
To date over 300 walkers have joined the effort to help homeless animals. Historically the flurry of activity in the week preceding the walk pushes us to 500 participants. Many, many dogs attend, and the favorite activities (and with the best laughable pet moments) are the pet contests and the Potter Alumni Parade. Every dog is a winner. And even the cats are represented with a feline photo contest.
Funds raised at this event support our core animal care programs. Lucky animals in homes with adoring families raise money to pay for the less fortunate and homeless animals. A big expense for animals with no homes is routine and emergency medical care. With everyone’s “heart & sole/soul,” the Potter League can provide all that is needed for every animal. For more information visit us at www.PotterLeague.org.

PBN: How long has this fund raiser been in place, and what else do you do to sustain operations?
SMITH: /b> The Heart & Sole Walk for the Animals celebrates 26 years in 2015. It is the largest pet walk in Rhode Island – thanks to so many animal lovers. The walk is a wonderful family event. Our Have-a-Heart Party is a Valentine’s themed cocktail party and auction in February. We also hold a summer event for seasonal residents.
The community supports us in many ways from kids with lemonade stands to businesses donating proceeds from sales. Talk to us about an idea you would like to organize for the animals. The bulk of the funds raised for our operations come not from special events but individual giving in response to appeals, solicitations and requests. Fund raising starts with raising friends and then supporting their passion to help animals.

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PBN: Why was LEED Gold distinction from the U.S. Green Building Council important to the shelter in Middletown and how many animals does it house?
SMITH:
The Potter League’s goal is always to be innovative and to model good behavior. The Green Design decision made for our new facility reflects the Potter League’s desire to put thoughtfulness into our actions and to conscientiously help the natural environment as well as the animals. We can house up to 150 animals and that capacity requires a healthy indoor living environment.
It is interesting that the best practices for building an animal shelter naturally align with the best practices for an environmentally sensitive LEED building. Indoor air quality, energy efficiency, water use, natural day lighting, and storm water management were all key components for the building. The little animal shelter in Middletown was the first LEED Gold building in Rhode Island and the first LEED Gold animal shelter in the country. Others have learned from us, but, most importantly, the staff and volunteers work and the animals live in a healthy, happy and cost effective space.

PBN: What is the most pressing need when it comes to sheltering homeless animals and finding adoptive homes for them?
SMITH:
The most pressing needs for animals are compassionate staff to care for, provide medical support, and train the homeless animals while at the Potter League, and second, community support with volunteer hours, donations and trust. Third most important are individuals who open their homes and hearts to a furred or feathered new family member. Working to help animals is not just the Potter League’s job; working together is what really works. We will set the example and be the compassionate safety net for all animals, but we need you too. Together, we end pet homelessness and animal suffering.

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