It was Margaret Mead who famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
Fifty years ago, it was a small group of thoughtful and committed citizens who came together with $5,000 and hopes for a better future for lost, abandoned and abused animals in our North Carolina. Local philanthropists Diana Maupin and Dot Helms led that group – and the SPCA of Wake County was officially incorporated on June 7, 1967.
Today, we stand on the shoulders of those who walked this path before us and we honor their legacy. The last 50 years have been marked by extraordinary progress in reducing pet overpopulation and saving animal lives. The milestone we celebrate today belongs to our entire community.
The truth is that extraordinary change is possible when people approach problems with a spirit of collaboration, partnership, passion and commitment. Fifty years of progress was possible because our community believed – and invested in – a better future for homeless pets.
And yet - there is so much more to do.
As we pause to celebrate an amazing 50 years of progress for pets and people, we embrace a future filled with promise and potential for what we might accomplish in the next 50 years.
The mission of the SPCA of Wake County is as strong as ever: To transform the lives of pets and people through protection, care, education and adoption.
Our vision is to create a humane community – and achieving that vision begins with ending the euthanasia of all healthy and treatable animals.
To that end, we have developed three core initiatives that will guide our work in the years ahead.
- Decrease the number of animals entering area shelters, through:
- Affordable, targeted spay/neuter
- Comprehensive pet retention programs, and
- Community education
- Increase the number of live animals leaving area shelters, by:
- Strengthening our safety net of medical and behavioral intervention, and
- Expanding our reach beyond Wake to include surrounding counties
- Make sure we have the resources to do the first two things. If the last 50 years have taught us anything, it’s that transformative change requires transformative investment – of time, resources, and passionate commitment.
Imagine a future where every animal in our community is wanted, cared for, and loved; where no animal suffers; and every person truly understands the value of compassion for all living things.
Today, we celebrate you and invite you to join us on the first steps of our journey to create a new future for the pets – and people – of our community.
Welcome to the next 50 years of progress for animals!
Kim Janzen
CEO & President
SPCA of Wake County
Proclamation by Governor Roy Cooper
Proclamation by the City of Raleigh
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