The board reports that day to day costs, which were difficult to meet before, are rising. Taking care of the many needs of the numerous animals that come into the shelter is becoming difficult.
I know this first hand after recently visiting the shelter and finding an extremely sick puppy that was gasping for breath. I asked the individual on duty at the time what they had planned to do for the small dog because it was obviously dying as we spoke.
She informed me that they would try to treat it at the shelter the best they could. I inquired about taking the dog to a veterinarian, but the employee told me that they couldn't because they owed a large vet bill already. She did say that they would administer an antibiotic and maybe try to get the puppy to drink some Gatorade; however, the condition of puppy by then was well over that point and unless medical attention was given it was sure to die an agonizing death.
I took the puppy to the veterinarian, who told me the puppy needed a blood transfusion immediately. I wish I could say there was a happy ending but the puppy had parvo and died.
This is just one example, just one incident that occurs over and over again at the shelter. People bring in unwanted animals or just drop them off on the side of the road, not caring what happens to them. The other problem that now exists is that where they go is getting to be no better for them- and not at the fault of the dedicated volunteers who give so much of their own time and money to save these little creatures.
It's a never-ending circle that keeps going and going. The saying “love is not enough” really holds true in this situation. There are very loving and caring individuals such as Fredia Durio and Deb Elder who are constantly sacrificing their time and money to make a difference at the Shelter.
The Humane Society needs help! They cannot do it alone. The non-profit organization relies on funding from Logan Fiscal Court as well as the city of Russellville. These entities' generous contributions are not enough. That is the cold bitter facts. The Humane Society is drowning and is asking for the community to throw a lifeline. Annual fund raisers aren't cutting it anymore. When the shelter seems to take one step forward and then rising medical costs, water, electricity and equipment bills send them two steps back.
If you own a dog, cat or other pet and are attached to them so much that they are part of your family unit, then you must understand and feel for these many animals that have no home but the shelter.
If everyone in the county mailed just one dollar each year to the Humane Society, they would receive $21,000. It doesn't take a lot but it does take a lot of people to pull it off.
For more information on the shelter or to donate contact 772-3442.
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