Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society

BENCHS

Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome: Join Our Cause

The 2023 year has been a year of change for BENCHS. We are extremely proud to announce our new Executive Director, Torrey Walrath, who has been working tirelessly to fill that extended vacancy. We are also planning an expansion to our building so we can help more pets while they wait for their furever homes. Our mission goes far beyond simply offering a safe haven for these creatures; it's about creating a more compassionate world where animals and people can thrive together. At BENCHS, we believe that every animal, no matter their past, deserves a chance at a better future. We rescue and rehabilitate animals in need, providing them with a new beginning, much like giving them a second leash on life. 

At this crucial moment, we find ourselves facing an extraordinary challenge. BENCHS is newly without an in-house vet, which has increased the medical and transportation costs of our animals. As we continue our mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome these deserving animals, we rely on your support now more than ever.

Our greatest challenge is finding all of our animals their furever homes. A decline in adoptions plus increasing number of stray animals has resulted in surrender waiting lists that continue to lengthen. Finding staff and volunteers has remained difficult. But no matter the challenges, we remain committed to providing everything our animals need to have a real chance at life ~ food, medical care, time, safety, and love.

Animals come to us via a number of ways. BENCHS provides impound services for the Mankato, North Mankato, and Madison Lake areas. Many of the impound pets that come to us have been living on the streets and have injuries and illness that require treatment. Some are pregnant or have litters of kittens or puppies. We have also taken in desperate animals from hoarding situations. BENCHS also accept pets whose owners need to surrender them for a variety of reasons. 

Operations costs continue to rise. Every single animal in our care costs BENCHS a minimum of $35 per day with staff hours, cleaning supplies, medical care, food, etc. BENCHS truly relies on the generosity of donors like you to keep our doors open. BENCHS is committed to never turning down an animal in need, and your donation dollars allow us to fulfill that promise. 

Give to the Max has been transformational for us throughout the years and currently makes up around 10% of our annual budget. This year, we ask each of you to dig a little deeper and help us reach our goal of $80,000. Whether you donate $5 or $5,000, know that every single dollar goes toward ensuring that the cats and dogs within our communities have a safe place to land. 

Donate Today and Help Us Give Pets a Second Leash on Life!

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Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society (BENCHS)

Who We Are: The Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society (BENCHS) is a local, independent 501(c)(3) animal rescue nonprofit in Mankato, Minnesota. BENCHS was established in 1969 and opened its doors on North River Drive in 2010. Each year, BENCHS cares for thousands of cats and dogs with the goal of returning the lost to their owners and the homeless into loving homes. 

Our Mission: BENCHS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding loving furever homes for homeless cats and dogs, using spay/neuter programs to reduce the number of unwanted pets, and reuniting lost animals with their owners. We are proudly designated as a No-Kill Shelter. 

Our Initiatives: 

• Rescuing and Rehoming: Every day, we rescue abandoned, neglected, and abused animals, giving them a second chance at a happy life. So far in 2023, we have cared for 900 animals. We reunited 200 lost pets with their families. We have adopted 576 cats and 126 dogs. 
• Rehabilitation: BENCHS has daily enrichment programs for both dogs and cats that provides mental and physical stimulation essential to their wellbeing. Volunteers and staff provide daily exercise and socialization to help ensure that pets are as well-adjusted to home life as possible. This year, BENCHS employees have been trained in Fear Free Shelter Program, which reduces fear, anxiety, and stress levels of our pets and the people who care for them. 
• Medical Care: Without an in-house vet, we remain committed to providing the best medical care possible to our animals. All of our pets are vetted, spayed/neutered, and microchipped. Your generosity helps us cover the costs of surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation to nurse these animals back to health, ensuring they receive the medical attention they so desperately need.
• Community Outreach: BENCHS is not just a shelter; we're a resource for the community. We offer a Food Share Program where local residents can obtain free dog and cat food two times each month. We also connect pet parents with resources to ensure pets can stay in their homes.