Shelter handled more than 550 animals in 2019

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Five years into a unique partnbership with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Humane Society of Putnam County continued to report a “highly productive year” in 2019, based on reports from the organization’s annual meeting.

Having been postponed due to bad weather in December, the meeting took place earlier this year at the Putnam County Public Library, highlighting HSPC’s activities, including Rescued Treasures Thrift Store, fundraising, spay/neuter vouchers, trap-neuter-release program for feral cats and the operation and improvements at the Putnam County Animal Care Shelter.

In 2015 HSPC entered into its partnership with sheriff’s department. Since then the HSPC has raised the capacity of care and adoptions for endangered and abused animals in Putnam County from virtually non-existent beginnings.

In 2019, 558 animals were processed through the shelter. This includes strays and aggressive dogs brought in by animal control, as well as pets that were surrendered and pets that had been lost and were ultimately returned to their owners.

A total of 285 animals were adopted.

The reception and screening of new arrivals is a critical feature of the shelter and 2019 saw improvements in both the dog and cat intake areas. The intake kennels for dogs received a new roof, gates and a new drainage system.

“Cat City,” the building that houses cats and kittens in quarantine, received insulation, new drywall, a new HVAC system and an upgraded electrical panel.

The outside dog runs received a ceiling, gutters and a new drainage system.

A privacy fence to isolate the intake animals from the public was installed as well as a fence to delineate a safe path from the main building to the outside kennels.

The humane society contributed $37,113 for these various improvements to the shelter. Since 2015 HSPC had donated $107,600 to make the shelter a model of care and safety for the animals, staff, volunteers and the public.

A major remaining need is for insulation and siding to be installed in the main building, not just for aesthetics, but to reduce the heating and cooling costs for the shelter. This will be a focus for fundraising in 2020.

Spay/neuter is the most effective way of dealing with the problem of neglected and abused dogs and cats. Yet for many who want to be responsible pet guardians, the cost is prohibitive. HSPC funds a program for family pets. Any Putnam County family can receive a voucher to assist with the cost to spay or neuter one pet per year.

In 2019, HSPC was able to pay through vouchers assistance for 478 cats and 280 dogs at the cost of $67,679. This brings the total since 2012 to 1,548 cats and 1,049 dogs that have been spayed or neutered with help from the society.

HSPC uses state-provided funds to spay or neuter feral cats. Working with residents that maintain “community cat colonies” and individuals who have feral cats living on their property, these animals are trapped, neutered and released by experienced individuals.

HSPC also fulfilled its yearly partnership agreement with the county by providing staff, volunteers and by paying $50,000 toward the operation of the shelter.

Most of the money that funds these projects is raised through operation of the Rescued Treasures Thrift Store, 1021 Indianapolis Road, Suite C. Relying on donations of goods from the community and the work of its volunteers, this shop offers new and gently used clothing, toys, housewares, books, art and other merchandise at a very low cost.

Information about all HSPC services, including vouchers for the Spay/Neuter program is available at Rescued Treasures.

Additionally HSPC is grateful for the monetary donations that made it possible to implement major improvements to the shelter in 2019.

Increasing community involvement and support for the HSPC is an ongoing goal. This can be done by becoming a member, making a monetary contribution, adopting an animal from the shelter, and especially by becoming a volunteer. For up-to-date information regarding lost pets and animals available for adoption visit the Facebook page: Humane Society of Putnam County.

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