BEDFORD — White River Humane Society hosted a memorable and impactful evening at its annual Bone Appetit fundraiser on Saturday, April 25th, bringing together supporters, donors, and community members in celebration of the organization’s mission and the animals it serves.
As a nonprofit that relies heavily on public donations, the event plays a vital role in sustaining the shelter’s ability to provide care and refuge for lost, homeless, and abandoned animals throughout the community. The evening not only raised critical funds but also highlighted the life-changing work made possible through continued support.
The program honored and celebrated the many animals who found their forever homes in 2025. These success stories served as powerful reminders of the organization’s impact and the importance of community involvement in helping animals find loving families.
During the event, the organization also premiered a new video offering an inside look at plans for its future facility. While the new shelter will maintain a similar capacity of 40 dogs and 30 cats, its design will focus on efficiency and animal-centered care. The modern space will provide a calmer, cleaner, and more comfortable environment for animals during their stay.
Key features of the new facility will include a dedicated meet-and-greet room, allowing potential adopters to spend quality time getting to know shelter pets. This is something the current shelter cannot accommodate due to space limitations. In addition, plans include a medical evaluation room to enable on-site spay-and-neuter procedures. This enhancement not only benefits animals in the shelter but also paves the way for offering low-cost spay and neuter services to the broader Lawrence County community in the future.
A highlight of the evening was a generous $25,000 pledge from Bedford Federal Savings Bank to the New Building Fund. This contribution and all donations to the fund are currently being matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous anonymous donor, up to $1 million, significantly amplifying the impact of each gift.
While the evening was a success, the need remains urgent to secure the funding necessary to bring the new facility to life. Community support remains essential to helping the organization reach the finish line.
To learn more or make a donation, visit: www.WhiteRiverHumaneSociety.org/new-building
The White River Humane Society also accepts gifts of appreciated stock, which can offer tax advantages to donors. For more information, email whiteriverhumanesociety@gmail.com
Check out the video to learn more about how the new building will help better serve homeless animals https://youtu.be/6gkj8fY3mEo?si=pq5QeWb9oYJRrDmO
