Donation puts Humane Society over the top

Saturday, November 15, 2008
Members of the ATO Fraternity at DePauw presented the Putnam County Humane Shelter a check for $2,500 Friday afternoon. Members took time out to pose for a photo with "Gentry," a beagle mix that is still living at the shelter. Pictured here are Fraternity Advisor Paul Wright, Cass Sisler, Jeff Cunning, Jack Gavin, Grant Schmidt and Gentry.

Thanks to the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) Fraternity at DePauw, the Putnam County Humane Shelter has met its goal of raising $56,000 to reopen the shelter. The group presented the shelter with a $2,500 check Friday afternoon.

House President Jeff Cunning told the Banner Graphic the money came from the group's philanthropy fund.

"We wanted to do something big enough to impact the community. This is from all the members of our house," said Cunning.

In the midst of preparing for the very busy Monon Bell Football weekend at DePauw members of the ATO fraternity took time out to present Humane Shelter Board Member and Treasurer Lynn Bohmer.

"This check represents meeting our 're-opening' monetary goal set last summer," Bohmer.

"We know the community is anxious for us to open our doors. It won't happen immediately. The board now is reviewing programs and policies, directing needed shelter repairs, and working on a strategic plan to ensure that we have sustainable funding for next year and beyond," said Bohmer.

The shelter was forced to close its doors at the end of August because of financial issues. In early November, they announced they have successfully raised enough money to pay back taxes owed to the state.

No official date has been set to open the facility yet, but plans can now be put into place. At a board meeting earlier this week, members discussed the need for a strategic plan of action for the future.

This is not the first time the shelter has had to close due to financial issues. Board members are determined to find ways to secure reliable income for the shelter.

Some of the items discussed included looking at facility repairs and updates, better use of space, seeking new ways to improve adoption rates, employee recruitment and grant writing.

The shelter is currently housing six dogs and less than 25 cats. They have turned away 150 to 200 animals since closing in August. They have continued a spay neuter program for animals thanks to a $30,000 donation from the Forfeiture Fund administered by Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter.

Numerous organizations and people have made donations, raised funds and worked to re-open the shelter. This latest donation from ATO helped the group meet their goal of raising the $56,000 they needed to re-open the facility and to move forward with strategic planning.

"We never want to close again," said Bohmer.

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  • Thank you so much!! You did a wonderful thing for this community, you should be very proud, as is I am sure many, many people (and animals) are of you!!

    -- Posted by mlbaker22 on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 7:39 AM
  • To everyone except thebuckstopsnowhere: Awesome! How great to see the community coming together to help out with this! Thanks, ATO, for your contributions!

    To thebuckstopsnowhere: shut your pie hole. it's just annoying now. you want to complain about frisbie? start your own blog.

    -- Posted by MsBehaving on Tue, Nov 18, 2008, at 11:31 AM
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