For Immediate Release

Contact: b j Altschul, APR

240.773.5967
bja@mchumane.org
Main Shelter Information: 240.773.5960

Also honors foster, volunteer and employee of the year

Awards presented during the annual gala, the Love Ball, in Bethesda:

•  Humane Award of the Year -- Sher Polvinale, founder of House With A
Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary (see below)
•  Foster of the Year -- Lisa Hempel, who has fostered numerous animals
in her home since becoming a foster in 2008
•  Employee of the Year -- Linda Brand, MCHS kennel manager, who joined
the staff in 1990
•  Volunteer of the Year -- MCHS Feline Focus Committee for their
efforts promotion cat adoptions

(Rockville, MD) November 16, 2009 -- To others they are unwanted, but to Sher Polvinale, some of the sick and old animals who have come to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter are among her most treasured rescues. They are pets who were surrendered because of age or medical condition, strays whose owners never showed up to claim them, and terminal cases requiring hospice care, allowing them to live in and die in a home with all of the dignity and love they need and deserve.

For providing that kind of environment at House With A Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary, the Montgomery County Humane Society is presenting its 2009 Humane Award of the Year to Sher Polvinale.

Polvinale began fostering animals for MCHS in 2005 while she was establishing her own nonprofit organization in Laytonsville. When her husband and rescue partner died last year, she became immersed in caring for her sanctuary pets. Her days start around 6 a.m. or earlier and end between midnight and 1 a.m.

The number of sanctuary residents increased from 10 to as many as 30, and, for the past 18 months, she has been pretty much housebound. Recently, several volunteers have come to stay with the residents on occasion, making it possible for Polvinale to leave for a few hours.

"Sher takes dogs from us that we have no other rescue we can send them to because of their medical issues," said Geri Bellman, an MCHS rescue coordinator, in making the nomination. "She provides them an end-of-life home as well as hospice, regardless of their age. These animals -- where else would they go? How lucky we are to have her sanctuary here in Montgomery County!"

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About the Montgomery County Humane Society:

The Montgomery County Humane Society in Rockville, MD, is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that has provided animal sheltering services for Montgomery County since 1958. MCHS receives funds to operate the Montgomery County Animal Shelter under a grant from the Montgomery County Government and from private donations. As the only full-service animal shelter in the county, MCHS handled more than 9,200 animals in 2008, and, as an open admission shelter, never turns an animal away.

About House With A Heart Senior Pet Sanctuary:

HWAH provides a home for senior pets, giving love, affection, and shelter. Many of these dogs receive medical care, such as diagnostic screenings, dental care, surgery, and medications. Residents live in a house with multiple rooms and access to fenced yards through doggie doors. Volunteers exercise and play with the dogs, as well as sit with the animals and give them love and attention. HWAH also offers a foster care program for select candidates with the same level of care as well as more individualized attention thanks to the foster providers.

Some are given up by their owners who may not be able to provide the extra care and attention a senior dog may need. Others come from shelters, since their advanced age limits their chances for adoption. The Sanctuary provides shelter to as many of these pets as possible depending on space and available funds.