Golf tournament to support NH Humane Society expansion, operations

LACONIA — The New Hampshire Humane Society’s Compassion Golf Tournament already has almost a full field of golfers. The tournament, held Monday, May 6, at Laconia Country Club, will raise funds for the NH Humane Society's operations as well as an expansion of their campus.

The fourth annual contest will begin at 9 a.m., and registration is still open, but if years past are any indication, it will be full in no time.

“We sell out every year,” Executive Director Charles Stanton said. “We sell out almost instantly — the majority of the funds actually go to the emergency animal fund.”

Entries are capped at 124 golfers, but those who would like to participate can join a waiting list once the slots are full. The tournament is played in a scramble format, with each team beginning from a different hole. The tournament is expected to last about four hours, according to organizers.

“I feel so fortunate to have been an active part of evolving this organization and attracting board members who believe in the idea of taking care of one another and our community. We have continued to create financial security not just for the organization but also for the purposes of being of service to our region,” Stanton said.

The golf tournament serves as the primary fundraiser for the humane society's emergency fund, which helps support animals in special circumstances or when advanced or specialized care is required. The tournament will also help fund an expansion project — a major development for the organization. 

The humane society recently purchased a 23-acre tract of land directly adjacent to their current facility at 1305 Meredith Center Road in Laconia, which will nearly triple their footprint. The land will be used to construct trails to allow for dogs in their care to exercise, and will also be open to the public. The expansion also contributes to the conservation of land surrounding Pickerel Pond. 

“The majority of our trails are on that property,” Stanton said. “We acknowledge that we need to be good stewards of the natural environment of our region.”

A $600,000 gift received in 2022 provided for the purchase of the property after staff heard a property developer had expressed interest in it.

The organization intends to install native plants on the property to preserve the natural landscape, and will also construct a barn to house farm animals in need of help. Agricultural areas in the north of the state, which tend to have higher rates of poverty, are in need of assistance in housing farm animals, Stanton said.

The barn would be primarily dedicated to short-term housing for the rescue of abused, neglected or abandoned horses and other farm animals.

“There’s only going to be a few stalls, but we can respond to the needs of those communities in a new way,” he said.

The development will also include a new canine and feline space which will be specialized for the care of elderly animals, which are often the first to be euthanized due to biases regarding their long-term value and viability, he said. Their existing medical area will also be expanded and staff hope to create an educational area for children to come and visit the animals.

“It is huge,” Stanton said of the development. “We are a small organization.”

The proceeds from the golf tournament support other initiatives, too. A portion of the fundraising is earmarked to support emergency operations, prioritizing giving shelter to homeless animals. They also coordinate the transfer of animals, mostly located in the southeast United States who are likely to be euthanized, to New Hampshire to ensure their longevity. That’s the mission of the National Rescue Project.

Many animals, both the homeless population found in the local area and those coming from out of state, have high advanced care and rehabilitation needs.

The humane society works hand-in-hand with partner organizations, such as the Pretty Pittie Committee of Mobile, Alabama, to bring dogs and other animals to the Granite State who would otherwise likely be euthanized.

“They’re all doing amazing work,” he said. “They’re spread very thin.”

Aside from elderly animals, so-called bully breeds are the second-most at risk of euthanasia, Stanton said. 

“We’re not bringing up ‘vicious’ animals,” he said. “Instead, we’re bringing up the animals that are the most at-risk. We’re giving animals second chances.”

In prior years, the organization has raised tens of thousands of dollars through the tournament, including a single gift of $100,000 one year, and several individuals have left large sums to the nonprofit in their estate plans.

The best-performing teams of four win prizes as do top players in the mens and womens categories. There is also a silent auction where participants could come away with domestic and international vacation packages, among other rewards.

And the contributions are desperately needed — the average cost of care for one animal is $30 per day, and most animals stay with the organization for three to five days, and some even for many months, Stanton said.

Stanton said the support received from the community has been substantial.

“Whatever the secret sauce is for New Hampshire and New Hampshire animal lovers, we have an amazing community of support.”