$1 Million Gift
Sam Swope Donates $1 Million to Help Our Most Fragile Pets!
Dear Friends,
Exciting news: right before this issue went to press, we announced that Mr. Sam Swope, founder of Sam Swope Auto Group, gave $1 million to the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS)! This incredible donation—the largest single gift from an individual donor in our 130-year history—will allow us to save the lives of Kentucky’s most fragile pets.
Tragically, dogs and cats throughout Kentucky suffer from abuse, neglect, trauma, illness and behavioral challenges. For many of these pets—especially those in overwhelmed public shelters or rural communities with limited resources—the Kentucky Humane Society is their only hope. Mr. Swope’s generous donation will allow KHS to increase considerably the number of pets we shelter who are in dire need of medical or behavioral intervention, and it will allow us to offer assistance on a statewide level. This gift will make it possible for these victims of circumstance or cruelty to become the happy, healthy companion animals they were intended to be.
Mr. Swope has long been a friend to people and animals in need. He has adopted many animals over the years and has fond memories of Buffy, Molly and Katie, just a few of the dogs that shared his home and warmed his heart over the years. Mr. Swope also generously supported our Main Campus Improvement Project, which allowed us to renovate and expand our main shelter in 2010.
In addition to his support of companion animal initiatives, Mr. Swope has served on the boards of many children’s, health and human services charities. Currently, he is a member of the University of Louisville Board of Overseers and is Chairman Emeritus for Norton Healthcare, Kosair Charities and Republic Bank & Trust Co. Mr. Swope was recognized as the 2009 “Louisvillian of the Year” by the Advertising Federation of Louisville for his contributions to the community.
Mr. Swope’s lead gift solidified our plans to proceed with a capital campaign and future construction of the Sam Swope Pet Treatment & Lifesaving Center (TLC), to be named in his honor. The Sam Swope Pet TLC will be built adjacent to our Main Campus in South Louisville. I look forward to sharing the details of the exciting project in future issues of the Paw Street Journal and on our website, kyhumane.org.
Every day I feel humbled and full of gratitude for the support provided to KHS and the animals in our care. Every donation, large and small, helps fuel our lifesaving mission. In fact, we simply could not save 6,000+ animals and spay or neuter 10,000+ pets in the community annually if it wasn’t for your support. Thank you for helping those that cannot help themselves.
Sincerely,
Lori Kane Redmon
President and CEO