Dear Editor:

The law in most states says each county must maintain a shelter. It must provide an animal control person and a place to house strays until owners either reclaim or “time expires.” This time varies but is typically five days. At the end of this set time the animal’s fate is in the hands of the community. There is no law stating a shelter must be a “no kill.” Quite the contrary, in lots of counties the fate of the animal is usually euthanasia.

In Logan County we have a shelter, as prescribed by law. This shelter, while owned by the county, has its day-to-day operations run by the non-profit group known as the Logan County Humane Society. The Humane Society follows the guidelines set forth by the state and the county. However, the Humane Society has assumed the burden of providing Logan County and its citizens the privilege of being able to say it has a “No Kill Shelter.” This is accomplished only through the generosity and dedication of animal lovers like yourself who support the efforts of the Humane Society. The Humane Society survives, and succeeds, because of its supporters. All efforts to save lives are funded solely through donations.

The efforts to find forever homes for Logan County’s unwanted and forgotten pets are not free. There are not enough people in this county willing to adopt those who have been abandoned and neglected. So the Humane Society must find someone who is. This is accomplished through rescue organizations that are out of state, typically a day or more drive away. The Humane Society takes pictures, sends e-mails, makes phone calls, literally doing everything possible to have each pet “catch the eye” of a rescue. Once an animal is lucky enough to be chosen the hard part begins. The animal is vet checked, a volunteer drive is located, the transport truck is gassed up and the pets are loaded and sent to find their new homes. The expense for all the above is funded by the Humane Society through donations from animal lovers. This is how Logan County can say it has a “No Kill Shelter.”

Funds are low. We appreciate all donations we receive. Whatever type food is brought to us we use because our animals are eating to live and therefore are not picky.

The Humane Society is a stand alone entity and is not affiliated with any other rescue group in Logan County. We take care of Logan County’s stray and not strays from other counties and shelters. When you give to the Logan County Humane Society, your money helps local animals. No one helps place Logan County strays and unwanted animals brought into the shelter, but the Humane Society. The shelter only takes in animals from within the county so all the efforts here are to the benefit of Logan County and no other. The Humane Society needs the help of Logan County citizens to save the animals.

The challenge is this; if everyone were to donate just $5 to the Humane Society it would fund numerous rescue trips. A full capacity trip can save as many as 100 animals. Ask yourself when was the last time you saw $5 do so much for those who not only have been tossed aside, but are dependent on your generosity to live.

If you have it in your heart to reach out to these poor neglected, unwanted and sometimes even abused members of our county then please help as your heart guides you by sending your donation to the address below. Thank you and God Bless.

Logan County Humane Society

Russellville