Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire
545 Route 101 • Bedford, NH • 03110
603.472.3647 • www.rescueleague.org
Conway Area Humane Society
223 East Main Street • Conway, NH • 03818
603.447.5955 • www.conwayshelter.org
We are very excited to announce the affiliation of the Animal Rescue League of
NH (ARL or the League) and the Conway Area Humane Society (CAHS) effective
November 11, 2009!
Below you will find the answers to some commonly asked questions.
Why did you form an affiliation?
To help more animals! We believe that by working together, we can help more animals than
ever before, and that’s why we’re here.
This relationship looks a lot like a merger – is it?
No. In legal terms it is an “affiliation.” The biggest difference is that each organization keeps its
own assets and has its own financial statements as well as its own Board of Directors.
However, we will operate in similar and parallel ways. ARLNH President & CEO Caroline Boyd
will be the President & CEO of both organizations and certain members of the management
team will have management responsibilities in both locations. In addition, two members of the
CAHS Board will sit on the ARLNH Board, and two members of the ARLNH Board will sit on the
Conway Board.
What are the benefits to each organization in this relationship?
For both organizations, this affiliation allows us to expand our geographic reach and help more
communities.
In addition, benefits in Conway include:
• A stronger, more stable shelter as a community resource;
• Access to new skills & services, particularly management and development;
• The shelter will be open more, leading to more adoptions and more ability to take in
animals; and
• A strengthened financial position in order to expand services over time.
In Bedford, additional benefits include:
• Leveraging what we’ve learned to help more animals in jeopardy without decreasing
local resources;
• Providing volunteers interested in state-level projects with more opportunities; and
• Helping to financially stabilize CAHS means we are protecting 800 pets per year or more
that would be unserved if the shelter weren’t there.
If I donate, will my money stay in my community?
Yes. Since the shelters are separate entities that will legally maintain separate assets, the ARL
can not access CAHS’ assets and vice versa.
Will either shelter’s name change?
The name of the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford will not change. The
name of the Conway Area Humane Society will change to the Animal Rescue League of New
Hampshire North. We’ll be phasing in the new name over the next few months. This broader
name will allow us to expand our services and our support base beyond the immediate Conway
area in Northern NH.
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The press release says “efficiencies” – is that another word for layoffs?
No. There are no layoffs planned and, in fact, we have plans to add to our staff in both
locations.
Will employees be transferred between locations?
No, we will not be moving specific jobs. However, we do want to provide opportunities for the
staff of each shelter to meet and get to know each other and we also want to provide intershelter training opportunities. In addition, if a staff member has an interest in living in the other
location, he or she will be given priority in being considered for any open roles that arise in that
location.
Does each location have the same jobs?
While most of the jobs are similar (though some pieces of jobs are combined differently), there
are a couple of significant differences. CAHS has a staff veterinarian while the ARLNH does
not. The ARLNH has an Animal Cruelty Investigator, a Humane Educator and a Director of
Philanthropy. In the near term, we do plan to add another development role to the Conway
location.
Will anything change in the shelters’ operations?
One of the first steps we will take is to compare processes and protocols in both locations and
pick the best of both worlds. Danielle Hastings (Vice President, Adoptions & Customer Service)
and Lindsay Hamrick (Vice President, Animal Care & Shelter Operations) will lead this effort
with their colleagues’ input. All affected colleagues will be involved in the discussion and will
receive training as needed, and there will be plenty of communication.
Are the shelters’ overall philosophies the same?
Yes. Both shelters are Limited Admission and neither euthanizes for time or space. Each
shelter wants to do its best to place an animal in an appropriate home. Our operations will
continue to reflect these values.
If Caroline Boyd is the CEO of both shelters, will Virginia Moore still be the Executive
Director in Conway?
Virginia’s leadership and commitment to the Conway shelter have been unparalleled and her
leadership will be very important in this transition. Virginia particularly enjoys sharing our
mission and is very good at encouraging people to support to our cause. That’s where we really
need her talents, so that’s the role we’ll be migrating her to over time. She and Caroline will
determine the exact duties of her job together during the transition as well as choosing a title
that reflects her role; however, everyone should continue to consider her a leadership resource
in the Conway area!
Is this a “take over” of the Conway shelter by the ARL?
No. Both Virginia Moore and the Conway Board were very much in favor of joining forces and
reached out to the ARLNH to have these discussions since they knew from earlier
conversations that partnerships of this type are part of the ARL strategic plan.
What should I do if I have questions not answered here?
In Southern NH please contact Robin McCune (603.472.5714 or [email protected]) or
Donna Nicholaides (603.472.5788 or [email protected]). In Northern NH please
contact Virginia Moore (603.447.5605 or [email protected]).
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