FINNEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
Paw-Parrazi Newsletter
VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 1 | JULY, AUGUST & SEPTEMBER 2026
A NEW CHAPTER AT FCHS
Meet Our New Executive Director
Cody Balem
The Finney County Humane Society is excited to welcome Cody Balem as our new Executive Director! Originally from High Point, North Carolina, Cody has called Garden City home since 2020. He and his wife, Mallisa, have been married since 2020 and are proud parents to four children: Chynna (27), Charisse (24), Chloe (22), and Loveí (8 months). When he is not at the shelter, Cody enjoys collecting vintage toys, drawing and painting, gardening, cheering on the UNC Tar Heels and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and, most importantly, spending time with his family. For Cody, joining FCHS is about making a lasting impact on the community he now calls home.
am most excited about the opportunity to not only “ Iserve our community, but to ensure the safety and
fair treatment of animals. I also want my daughter to grow up here and see the good that we’re doing. My goal is to continue the legacy created for the Finney County Humane Society and ensure it remains a safe haven for the placement and care of animals.
”
— CODY BALEM
Please join us in giving Cody a warm Finney County welcome! We are excited for the future of FCHS under his leadership and look forward to continuing our mission of providing compassionate care, promoting responsible pet ownership, and helping every animal find a loving home.
FINNEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | GARDEN CITY, KANSAS
adoptgck.com
FCHS BY THE NUMBERS June | July | August 2026
THREE MONTHS OF CARE
605
519
120
INTAKES
OUTCOMES
ADOPTIONS
Each animal has a story. Thank you for helping us write the next chapter.
FINNEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
adoptgck.com
PAW-PARRAZI NEWSLETTER
FCHS Events
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2026
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER
Dueling for the Dogs An encore for shelter animals
NEARLY $57,000 RAISED after event expenses
Nearly 400 guests joined our second annual Dueling for the Dogs fundraiser. Thanks to our sponsors, live auction donors, volunteers, and everyone who attended, the evening raised almost $57,000 after expenses for the animals in our care. That support covers approximately one to two months of operations - food, shelter, medical care, and second chances. Thank you for changing lives, one paw at a time!
MEMORIAL FLIGHT
Honoring Zach Scheiman Wings of Rescue | August 9, 2026
At Garden City Regional Airport, the first annual Zach Scheiman Memorial Wings of Rescue Flight honored Zach’s life of service and his love for animals. Zach was a U.S. Air Force veteran, air traffic controller, community volunteer, and animal advocate. Escorted by local first responders, shelter animals boarded a flight to partner rescues and new chances at loving homes. Wings of Rescue supporter David Chokachi joined the tribute to Zach’s compassionate legacy.
Boarding for a new beginning
Animals ready for the flight
FINNEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | GARDEN CITY, KANSAS
Second chances take flight
PAW-PARRAZI NEWSLETTER | VOL. 5, ISSUE 1
Homeward Bound! Happy tails and new beginnings • July - September 2026
Every adoption opens a new chapter. Thank you for making these happy tails possible!
FINNEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | GARDEN CITY, KANSAS
adoptgck.com
PAW-PARRAZI NEWSLETTER | VOL. 5, ISSUE 1
Every Gift Changes a Story Thank you for showing up for the animals of Finney County.
JULY - SEPTEMBER 2026
Because of you, they get another chance.
Donations Jeremy and Stephanie Cope Kristi Cott Alexis Cotton Karina Cruz Paul Freed Louis Garcia Donna Glasco Estate Kit and Ken Green Rebecca Hands-Neidig Curtis Harman Rebecca Heinricy Artemio or Lupe Hernandez Pamela Hicks Erlinda Johnson Randy Knoll
In Loving Memory Nanci Koster Alejandra Mancha Larry Meschke Mariela Moreno Luis Nieto Kirk Olomon Maria L Olivas Alicia or Dale Pike Deb Reynolds Robin Schenck Amanda Tuggerson Robin Unruh Casey Wise Doug Winholz
COMMUNITY PARTNERS Fox Creek LLC Garden City Iron & Metals Huber Sand Inc W.I.S.E. Animal Group Society
Sharon Braun
Tamara K Halloran
Adela Castro Moreno Joel Pequeno
Kent Denton
Kirk or Erin Dechant Hydro Resources Holdings Inc Jerry or Linda McVey
Kevin Dimond
John or Tammy Shankle
Donald “Donnie” Duane Hapes Dan or Rhonda McDevitt Richard Smith Vets for Veterans
Michael (Mike) Keller
Mark or Gail Brack Colleen Cook Marion or Vicki Henderson Jerry or Ulrike Lappin Lutz or Paula Lerch Ross or Patricia Miller Patricia Nieman Mark Ploger Trust Kenny Sproul Jill Strickland
Zach Scheiman Matthew Boben Randal Loder
More Ways to Make Tails Wag
Your Giving at Work
F&F Recycling
Your generosity helps FCHS care for animals, support their daily needs, and give them a chance at loving homes. Every gift matters.
Kroger
PayPal Giving Fund
FINNEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | GARDEN CITY, KANSAS
adoptgck.com
PAW-PARRAZI NEWSLETTER
Vaccine Clinic Highlights COMMUNITY CARE
A healthier community, one pet at a time Our vaccine clinic was a huge success thanks to responsible pet owners who made preventive care a priority, and the people who worked hard to make the day possible.
A look inside the clinic Pets, people, and a community that shows up.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE IT HAPPEN A special thank you to Dr. Rogers and Dr. Minnex from Scott City, our FCHS staff, volunteers, veterinary team, and every pet owner who joined us. Your time and care help keep community pets healthy. Together, we are building a healthier community - one pet at a time!
FINNEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | GARDEN CITY, KANSAS
PAW-PARRAZI NEWSLETTER
Community Connections Good neighbors. Happy paws. Lasting connections.
Paws, smiles & new friends GARDEN VALLEY RETIREMENT HOME
Our animal outings to Garden Valley Retirement Home brought people and pets together for gentle snuggles, warm smiles, and a little extra joy. We’re grateful for the chance to share these moments of companionship with our neighbors.
A little visit. A whole lot of love.
Teamwork with tails! GARDEN CITY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
The GCHS football team brought its teamwork to FCHS, giving shelter dogs walks, exercise, and one-on-one attention. Players also rolled up their sleeves to remove weeds and spruce up the grounds. Thank you for showing how much a team can do for its community!
Big hearts on and off the field. Thank you for helping our animals feel the love beyond the shelter!
FINNEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | GARDEN CITY, KANSAS
PAW-PARRAZI NEWSLETTER
Coming Up: Paws, Pumpkins & Possibilities
PAWS & PUMPKINS Carve up some Halloween fun! Calling all pumpkin artists ages 17 & under! Create a spooky, silly, sweet, or animal-inspired carving and enter our pumpkin carving contest. Drop off: October 20-23 during regular business hours. Judging: October 24. 1st: $50 Walmart Gift Card 2nd: $25 Walmart Gift Card 3rd: $10 McDonald’s Gift Card FCHS • 1005 E. Fulton Terrace, Garden City Tues.-Sat. 12-6 PM • Sun. 3-5 PM • Closed Mon. 620-277-3725 • adoptgck.com
Help Us Secure a $75,000 Match on MatchDay, December 1 MatchDay on Tuesday, December 1st holds incredible opportunity for Finney County Humane Society. On that day, Western Kansas Community Foundation will proportionately match donations made to our organization, and with your help, we could potentially receive a $75,000 match. Here’s how MatchDay works: WKCF is encouraging the public to make electronic donations at www.matchday.wkcf.org to help streamline the event and gift processing. However, if donors prefer to pay by check, they can be mailed to WKCF at 402 N. Main, Garden City, KS 67846. Dates: Nov. 16th – Dec. 1st at 11:59:59 pm with an in-person event on the 1st Place: In-person event from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday, December 1st, 2026 (“Giving Tuesday”), at the First United Methodist Church, 1106 N. Main in Garden City, or online at www.matchday.wkcf.org. The 2026 match pool is $150,000, and it will be divided among participating organizations in proportion to the total amount raised. We can earn up to 50% of the pool if contributions to our organization that day equal 50% or more of the total amount raised by all participating organizations. As extra incentive, we can also earn prize grants if our donations this year exceed a designated threshold over our previous year.
FINNEY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | GARDEN CITY, KANSAS
Donations $20-$2,000* per donor, per organization are eligible for a match. Credit cards, debit cards, & ACH will be accepted online. Cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, and check payments will be accepted in person or via mail. *Only amounts between $20 and $2,000 will be matched, however all donations will be accepted. Donations are tax-deductible and can be divided among multiple organizations. Donors can choose to remain anonymous to the organization and/or the public. Receipts will be issued by the WKCF to each person making a donation, given their contact information is provided. Contributions to multiple organizations can be processed in one check/payment with the specific designations for each organization noted on a giving form. Building our endowment is critical for our future, but we still face monthly expenses, so we still need contributions to our annual campaign. MatchDay is a unique opportunity to benefit both of those needs, and to grow our endowment exponentially, so that we can enrich our people and programs for even greater impact, for years to come. Contributions to Finney County Humane Society during MatchDay 2025 helped us provide essential care for the animals we serve. Your gift is vital for helping us maximize the match and allow us to continue providing the programs that are valuable to our corner of the state.
PAW-PARRAZI NEWSLETTER
Small Gifts. Big Comfort. Everyday Essentials for Shelter Animals Help fill our shelves and make each day a little brighter.
CLEAN & COMFORTABLE
CARE, PLAY & HAPPY TAILS
Baby wipes Litter boxes Bleach Clorox wipes Fabulosa Detergent
Collars & leashes for adoptions
Dog & cat toys Bottles with nipples Large & small stainless steel food bowls
Our wish list includes YOU! Volunteers are essential. Call to learn how you can lend a hand.
DROP OFF A LITTLE LOVE Bring donations to the shelter or give online: www.adoptgck.com Finney County Humane Society 1005 E. Fulton Terrace, Garden City | 620-277-3725
THANK YOU FOR HELPING CARE FOR THE ANIMALS WE SERVE.