named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Adoption Services
Facilitates the adoption of shelter animals after medical care and behavioral assessment, including spaying and neutering
Foster Program
Engages volunteers to provide temporary homes for animals in need, helping to free shelter space and support animal well-being
Project SNIP
Provides low-cost feline spay and neuter services for low-income families in the North Country to reduce pet overpopulation
Rabies/Microchip Clinics
Hosts clinics to provide rabies vaccinations and microchipping for pets, supporting animal identification and public health
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Animal Welfare and Rescue Support 2 activities
- Improve animal shelter facilities and comply with state standardsUndertakes facility improvements to enhance animal care, including a 2010–2011 expansion to increase capacity and separation of animals, and received a 2023 NYS Companion Animal Capital Projects grant for interior upgrades to meet state animal care standards.
- Operate animal shelter providing care, medical treatment, and adoption servicesOperates a no-kill animal shelter that provides humane care, medical treatment, behavior evaluation, and adoption services for unwanted, abandoned, and sick animals, including reuniting lost pets with owners. The shelter serves Potsdam and surrounding areas and has contractual agreements to shelter stray animals for 12 municipalities in northern New York.
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Rescue Dog Behavioral Training and Adoption Support 1 activity
- Conduct animal behavior and welfare enrichment initiativesImplements programs such as treat-based counter-conditioning for dogs in veterinary waiting areas and provides guidance to adopters using the 3-3-3 Rule to support animal transition and adjustment.
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Humane Education and Responsible Pet Ownership 1 activity
- Deliver animal welfare education and outreach programsProvides in-school presentations and arranges field trips for school children to learn about responsible pet ownership and shelter operations. Also offers educational workshops on kitten fostering and pet first aid.
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Structured Animal Adoption Program 1 activity
- Facilitate animal adoptions through targeted programsOffers free adoption programs for active duty and retired U.S. military personnel (Pets & Vets) and for seniors adopting older animals (Seniors for Seniors), as well as a Foster-to-Adopt program to support successful transitions for shelter animals.
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Animal Welfare Fundraising Events 1 activity
- Host community events and fundraising activitiesOrganizes annual community events such as the Paddle for Paws Poker Run, Strut Your Mutt Dog Walk & Craft Fair, Pets & Vets Golf Classic, photos with Santa, and adoption events at Tractor Supply Company to raise funds and awareness.
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Pre-Adoption Veterinary Care for Shelter Animals 1 activity
- Manage animal intake, health assessment, and surgical careProvides comprehensive animal intake services including health assessments, medical treatment, pre- and post-surgical monitoring, and behavior evaluations to ensure animal welfare and readiness for adoption.
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Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Offer facility rentals and volunteer opportunitiesProvides rental of the Chad Fuller facilities for birthday parties, meetings, and workshops, and offers volunteer opportunities during morning, afternoon, and late afternoon shifts seven days a week.
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Animal Welfare Fundraising through Retail and Sales 1 activity
- Operate thrift shop to support animal careGenerates funds through the operation of the Best Friends Thrift Shop to support the care and treatment of rescued animals.
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Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Services 1 activity
- Provide low-cost veterinary and preventive care clinicsConducts rabies vaccination and microchip clinics, and offers low-cost spay/neuter services through the SNIP (Spay-Neuter Intervention Program) and Project SNIP for qualifying low-income families in the North Country.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Manage animal surrenders and intake policiesAccepts animal surrenders by appointment with required photo ID and address verification, charging a $50 fee for dogs and cats from non-contracted towns.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$744K
Contributions & grants$229K31%
Program service revenue$193K26%
Investment income$10K1%
Other revenue$312K
expenses
Total expenses$686K
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead9%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$391K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.73M
Cash$92K
Investments$252K
Liabilities$495K
Net assets$1.24M
Liquid reserves6.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +24.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 12
- ANA WILLIAMS-BERGEN — SECRETARY
- BONNIE BOYD — VICE-PRESIDE
- CATHLEEN O'HORO — MEMBER
- DARYL KOLANKO — MEMBER
- DONNA BONNO — FUNDRAISING
- HENRY SIEG — MEMBER
- JAY SCHECHTER — MEMBER
- JEFF BONNO — PRESIDENT
- NONNA RAHLL — MEMBER
- RANDY PAGE — MEMBER
- ROBERT STEWART — MEMBER
- SUSAN WING — TREASURER
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- Bad Dog Partner — Local business supporting the Potsdam Humane Society through generosity, as recognized in the organization's list of benefactors.
- Brasher Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Brasher Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- CJ’s Kegs, Cases & More Partner — Partner location where recyclable cans and bottles can be returned to support the Potsdam Humane Society.
- Clifton Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Clifton Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- Colton Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Colton Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- DEC Government — Refers wildlife cases to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
- Fine Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Fine Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- Hopkinton Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Hopkinton Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- Lawrence Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Lawrence Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- Madrid Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Madrid Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- New York State Funder — Awarded PHS a Companion Animal Capital Projects grant in 2023 for facility improvements.
- New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Government — PHS is making facility improvements to comply with animal care standards set by the Department of Agriculture and Markets.
- North Country Children’s Museum Partner — Partners with PHS to offer animal-themed children's programs
- Parishville Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Parishville Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- PayPal Government — Processes donations for the organization using secure payment technology.
- PayPal Partner — Processes donations for the organization using secure payment technology.
- Pierrepont Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Pierrepont Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- Potsdam (Norwood) Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
- Potsdam Agway Partner — Hosts PHS photos with Santa events
- Potsdam/Norwood Partner — Contract town receiving animal care services from PHS.
- Stockholm (Winthrop) Government — Contracting municipality for stray animal sheltering services.
+ 7 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Behavioral Conditioning for Adoption Readinessmethodology: counter-conditioningBy using counter-conditioning and phased adjustment frameworks like the 3-3-3 Rule, we improve dogs’ adaptability to home environments, because structured positive reinforcement reduces fear-based behaviors and strengthens human-animal bonds critical for successful adoption.
- Education-Through-Engagementmethodology: education-through-engagementBy bringing shelter animals into schools, we teach responsible pet ownership and build community empathy, because direct interaction with animals creates emotional connections that drive long-term behavioral change in youth.
- Foster-First Placement Modelmethodology: foster-firstBy placing animals in foster homes before adoption, we reduce shelter-induced stress and improve behavioral outcomes, because temporary home environments support socialization and increase long-term adoption success rates.
- Integrated Shelter Health Protocolmethodology: integrated_shelter_healthBy integrating medical care, surgery, and behavioral assessment into a unified health plan, we increase animals’ readiness for adoption, because early intervention addresses physical and psychological barriers that delay placement.
- No-Kill Shelter Modelmethodology: no-kill_shelterBy refusing to euthanize healthy or treatable animals for space or cost reasons, we increase adoption opportunities and reduce pet overpopulation, because preserving life creates longer-term community value and incentivizes responsible pet ownership through spay/neuter education.