HSPC seeks $250,000 grant

Friday, December 3, 2010

GREENCASTLE -- The Humane Society of Putnam County may still be closed, but if the society's bid for a $250,000 grant is successful, they will be able to reopen and afford many well-needed improvements.

"The economy has affected Putnam County, and the animals suffer," said Humane Society board president Lynn Bohmer.

The society recently learned that they have become a finalist in the $250,000 food and shelter category of the Pepsi Refresh Project, a humanitarian project sponsored by Pepsi that awards those with plans to improve the community with the money to do so. Each idea is submitted to the project, and the best ideas are displayed online complete with a budget and outlined plan. Users vote on the ideas that they like the best, and the top two ideas receive the grant money.

Along with a recent grant from Pedigree dog food, the money could be used to help improve the facilities and resources of the shelter, Bohmer said.

The shelter has four main ideas for how to budget the grant money. In order to prevent disease outbreaks similar to the one that has currently closed the shelter, the society plans to build a quarantine facility that can isolate animals with infectious diseases and prevent spreading.

The shelter would also be able to replace an older van used for transporting animals, help assist families with spaying and neutering their pets and create a six-month savings account that would cover operating expenses and other emergencies if necessary.

"We do have ups and downs depending on the seasons," Bohmer said. "It would be extremely important (to receive the grant), not only in making sure Putnam County has a shelter that fits the needs of the city, but so we can continue to improve our services."

As of Thursday night, the society was in second place in the $250,000 category, but voting will continue until Dec. 31, and the shelter is trying to get the word out, updating its website with information and letting the community at large know.

The society applied for the grant before the outbreak occurred, and at the moment the shelter will remain closed until Purdue University, which has been helping the society with the outbreak crisis, believes it is safe for the animals to return permanently, Bohmer said. However, they are considering reopening the adoption services in order to meet the adoption demand brought about during the Christmas season.

"I even have people calling me at home. All some children want is a dog or a cat," Bohmer said.

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  • You can also vote from Facebook with the Pepsi Refresh Voting App and by texting 104912 to Pepsi (73774). And, you can vote all 3 ways every day!

    -- Posted by Only_My_Opinion on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 10:27 AM
  • Good luck. This would been awesome for Putnam County.

    -- Posted by mad-mom on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 10:36 AM
  • I would have to say that if they used the money proper they would not need more I am sorry but my mother was one of the founding members that built The HSPC and she would be rolling in her grave to learn of the misuse and overspending of the funds they recieve. The place and the ruling and I do mean ruling board members need to step down and let some one with a brain take their place. Sorry but the overhead is not much and 80 percentof the workers are or could be volunteers if they did not treat them like they do the animals their. That place is and forever will be nasty and infested with some sort of killer bug until the HSPC cleans up the building and their board. What a discrase the place has become over the past 15 or so years. Where are the living founders and what is their opinions to what has happened..

    Thank you

    Daniel A Gross Son Of Shirley A Gross now Deceased . Which was one of the founding ladies of the PCHS as well as Ms Barb Lane.

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 12:54 PM
  • I'M VOTING EVERY DAY......LET'S RALLY TOGETHER AND HELP PCHS. IT WOULD BE SO AWESOME IF THEY WON. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE ANIMALS!

    -- Posted by Michele1953 on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 3:54 PM
  • why would Pepsi give money to a group that can't control disease and can't manage money? If they get the $250,000, they should be able to run thru it inabout 6 months to a year. The people in charge need to get out and get some of the original people to run it. they started from scratch, with no money, never had any disease problems and were successful.

    -- Posted by albert on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 4:35 PM
  • a person told me today that they were going to contact a vice president of Pepsi, who is a personal friend, and ask them to take a careful look at the Humane Society of Putnam County before any decisions are made

    -- Posted by albert on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 4:52 PM
  • This is a positive thing everyone. Quit being so negative and for heavens sake...spell check (it's really not that hard to use!)

    For those posting positive comments...thank you!

    -- Posted by fedup4 on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 7:02 PM
  • I cannot believe you people- have you ever lifted a finger to help anyone or do you sit on your high horse and just complain?? Yes the board has many problems- the direcotr is trying her best to correct problems and get us back in public eye- have we closed down all the others who have mismanaged business in the PAST???/ it is the PAST people- let's look toward the future- and if you think all could be volunteers- I wonder if you have ever worked a day out there - it is HARD work- would you do it 2-3 days a week for free????? they would love to have you!Please Support HSPC!!!!

    -- Posted by talkymom3 on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 8:01 PM
  • There people go again blaming the disease on the shelter. You guys seriously need to think before you say crap like that. We did not give the disease to the dogs. We have done everything to try to take care of these animals. You disrespectful jerks need to shut up, I doubt any of you have gotten anything more than a high school diploma (beside the crappy grammar and lack of punctuation) since you spend your day complaining about stuff you know nothing about. You do not go around complaining about a hospital whose patients have cancer. Yeah it's their fault those patients have a disease that can't be cured.

    -- Posted by tanne123 on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 8:03 PM
  • I just cant believe the negative comments some of you are posting! You should be ashamed of yourselves. This is a wonderful opportunity for the shelter. Albert-How dare you try to take this away from them! The animals there need this! Is your life so boring that you have to try to deprive these animals of a better life? How sad. Im sure even the deceased Mrs Gross would be saddened by your trying to deprive those animals she worked so hard for. And I will also add that I am a volunteer, and I get treated quite well and so do the animals! They are not nasty, and if you know so much and think they can do better, then why arent you on the board? Seems like some of you dont want to help these poor animals at all. You have such animosity toward the shelter, you would rather make it hard for them to succeed, instead of trying to help them. I feel sorry for your kind

    -- Posted by animallover310 on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 8:20 PM
  • Sorry sunshine "animallover310" I have did my time at that place along with over halfmy family all to get sh!+ on by the ones whom think they have the power. Yes when the place reopened after the county was going totake the property due to not paying taxes , etc . the placelooked a heck of a lot better but disease or outbreaks are caused by germs which are spread by the lack of cleanliness. Last I Checked there is a quarantine room in that building that DOES NOT GET USED. Not sure why they made that room except for maybe QUARANTINING the incoming animals. I am sorry but the last time i was there the in house "VET TECH" had a family of mice living in the lights above the Med room that she fed more than the animals that were in there.. come now .. clean.. please.. Bleach and water cleans.. Not feces and water..

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Fri, Dec 3, 2010, at 10:06 PM
  • Well, "oh my goodness" arent you the bundle of joy. Maybe your poor attitude and negative comments is why you get s*** on, as you say. I wouldnt want you around either. You are exactly what they DONT need. I doubt they fed the mice more than the animals, you probably have some living in your own house with the weather getting cold. And I can assure you that when I clean, I dont use feces and water. How terrible of you to say such hateful things. You want to turn this great opportunity for the shelter into something negative. And the animals will be the ones to suffer, not the management you are trying to bash. What a pitty. You have shown your true colors and once again...I feel sorry for your kind. If you dont want to help them, then just leave them alone.

    -- Posted by animallover310 on Sat, Dec 4, 2010, at 9:09 AM
  • I guess you must be a new intern..lol " wait a click" Isnt the shelter closed. Hmm thats right it is..

    -- Posted by Oh My Goodness on Sun, Dec 5, 2010, at 11:44 AM
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