In 1977, Mike Arms was director of Manhatten’s Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Arms was troubled by the organization’s “kill” policy resulting in countless animals being euthanized every year in New York City. He chose to leave for a life insurance coverage job and offered two-weeks’ notification.
Arms had 6 days staying on his notification when he was contacted us to the scene of a car mishap including a dog.
“There was this little black and tan terrier that looked just like Benji,” Arms said. “He was laying in the street with a snapped back and shaking badly. Just as I was about to reach down for him, these fellows yelled, ‘What are you doing?’”
“I said, ‘This little one is dying. I’m taking him in the ambulance.’ They said, ‘No, you’re not taking it anywhere. We’re betting on how long it’s going to live.’
“I reached down and scooped the little one up. I held him and cradled him in my arms. I looked down at him and he was staring into my eyes.
“His body started to relax as if he was saying, ‘I feel safe now.’”
“Just as I reached for the ambulance door handle, the fellows hit me from behind with a bottle and stabbed me.”
“Now, I was the one lying in the street.”
“That little one, who should not have been able to even move, found a way to crawl to my side and lick me back to consciousness. When I opened my eyes, I was staring into his beautiful eyes one more time.
“I laid in that street and cried. I prayed asking to give me another chance and promised to devote my life to protecting these animals. After that, my little friend closed his eyes and passed on.”
Arms made it through.
True to his guarantee, he turned down the insurance coverage job and, rather, accepted help run a “no kill” animal adoptions firm in Long Island. He worked there for twenty years, discovering, making contacts and assisting to broaden the firm.
In 1999, Arms relocated to San Diego to end up being CEO/president of the not-for-profit Helen Woodward Animal Center, which was then in monetary distress.
He rapidly altered the center’s instructions by instilling business-like functions, such as heavy marketing, hassle-free hours, tidy centers, education programs and services created to draw in the general public, in addition to standard not-for-profit fundraising and volunteerism.
Arms’ modifications prospered and are still followed today in his 24th year as CEO/president.
In 1999, the center owed money and on the edge of insolvency. Today, it has an $11 million endowment and millions more for growth jobs, consisting of a brand-new education center. It has 170 workers and 1,000 volunteers.
In 1999, the center balanced 500 adoptions every year. It now averages 4,000.
Dogs and cats originated from neighborhoods and “kill” centers in your area and out-of-state. No animals are killed. All are housed, provided healthcare and embraced.
The center utilizes 100 volunteer short-lived foster houses throughout the county for overflow requirements.
In addition to family pet adoptions, other programs at the 12-acre Rancho Santa Fe center consist of kids education programs, camps, unique requirements horseback riding and family pet encounter programs, an animal medical facility, boarding center and thrift shop.
Arms is referred to as a leader in the animal well-being market and is welcomed to share his effective technique all over the world. “We are in the business of saving lives,” he informs groups. “And we need business-like approaches.”
More than 14,000 individuals have actually attended his speaking engagements, typically at conferences, business occasions or training programs. He has actually arranged collaborations with 4,100 getting involved firms in 23 nations, which, he says, has actually saved countless family pet lives. In 2022, he affirmed prior to a United Nations committee.
Arms, 74, resides in San Diego with his better half of 43 years, Carol. They have a child and granddaughter.
He always remembers the little black and tan terrier and his guarantee that, he says, offered him function in life. “I would love the day when my granddaughter asks, ‘Is it true they used to kill animals?’”
About this series
Jan Goldsmith is an Emeritus member of The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Community Advisory Board. He is a lawyer and previous law partner, judge, state lawmaker, San Diego city lawyer and Poway mayor.
Someone San Diego Should Know is a column composed by members of the U-T’s Community Advisory Board about regional individuals who are intriguing and notable due to the fact that of their experiences, accomplishments, imagination or qualifications.
