MEMPHIS, Tenn. — News Channel 3 is celebrating the 29th anniversary of when our parent company, Nexstar, was founded by giving back to our community.
Nexstar’s Founder’s Day of Caring is taking place this Friday, and Your News Leader will be helping three local non-profits. One of them is the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County.
“The work the Humane Society does for Memphis and Shelby County every single day of every single year is immensely important to our community,” Executive Director Ellen Zahariadis said. “Memphis is a unique place. We have our unique challenges and unique strengths. We have a lot of stray, neglected, and unwanted animals in Memphis.”
The Humane Society’s goal is to give those stray, unwanted, and neglected animals a second chance by offering medical care, training, and lots of love, and then connecting them with their forever families. On average, they help 800 animals get adopted each year.
“We are here to try to help all Memphians who want to have an animal have them and keep them healthy and happy,” Zahariadis said.
The nonprofit also offers affordable, non-emergency vet care to those who receive income assistance.
“We are always trying to offer more and increase services. There is such a need for that low-cost access to vet care,” she said.
They started a pet food pantry. Last year, they gave out 55,000 pounds of pet food, and this year, they are on track to exceed that number.
Not to mention, the Humane Society offers programming for children and has an expanding foster program, so they can create even more space at their shelter.
“Our commitment is to our community and to the animals that need help in our community,” Zahariadis said.
There are many ways you can get involved, like volunteering to work with cats or walk their dogs, and there are events they need help with.
It’s a rewarding experience to care for animals in need of TLC, and a way to make a positive impact in your community.
“The Humane Society truly believes that all people can benefit from having an animal in their lives,” Zahariadis said.
How can you get involved with the Humane Society?
This June, the Humane Society set a goal to get 50 new fosters signed up. There will be an open house on June 29 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, click here
For other ways to get involved, click here
Want to know more about Nexstar’s Founder’s Day?
Nexstar’s Founder’s Day of Caring occurs each year in June. Staff members across the company receive paid time off for volunteer work in their communities. The choice of which organizations to support is made at the local level and covers a wide range of charities and social service agencies. In 2023, 5,700 Nexstar employees across the company volunteered more than 17,500 hours of service at 240 charitable organizations.
