Humane society still open for animals
by Laura Skulman, posted Nov. 4, 2008
Pepper, the goat out back of the humane society, just cleared through impounds. His owner could no longer care for him because of hard times. Pepper is one of the lucky ones the staff has already found a new home for four counties away.
It’s a normal day at the Central Missouri Humane Society, which takes in about 173 animals a week, or more than 8,000 a year, according to Heather Duren-Stubbs, the public relations coordinator for the humane society. In 2008, the shelter found homes for about 1,300 animals, which is about 25 to 30 a week. Hundreds went to other shelters, sanctuaries and rescue groups. Only some of the animals were claimed by their owners. And based on age, temperament and health, many were humanely euthanized.
This year, the humane society is recognizing 65 years of taking in abused, homeless and unwanted animals and finding most of them homes. It serves 20 counties and is a non-profit organization. Its revenue comes largely from donations. The annual operating budget is approximately $900,000. With only a $100,000 contract with the City of Columbia for animal control, the humane society is left responsible for raising $800,000.
Stubbs said they employ 27 staff members and have over 300 volunteers. Many of the volunteers are from MU. Of the 27 paid employees, they have two in-house veterinarians.
“We have an open door policy, which means we take any animal in from anywhere,” Stubbs said “The average cost per animal is $100, and we ask only for an intake fee.”
The humane society has operated in a deficit for the last several years. To function within budget, shelter management and the board are working with third party consultants from SCORE, an arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
SCORE has helped the staff refine systems and identify inefficiencies.
They have made staff reductions and cutbacks in hours of operation.
The humane society has established an independent group of supporters whose mission will be to develop more funding and community support. The group is made up of three board members of the humane society and community members who call themselves Community Friends for the Animals, or CFA.
Without a place to take animals, loose animals would be in the community, left to fend for themselves and create health and safety problems. More would be picked up by authorities and immediately euthanized. While the humane society has no immediate plans to close its doors, more cost-saving and fundraising measures will need to be put in place right away to secure the shelter’s financial future. In the meantime, many more animals will end up at the shelter’s door. That door is still open.
