Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Faced with higher operational costs and more stray animals needing shelter, the Waco Humane Society pushed the McLennan County Commissioners Court to contribute more funding for the care of animals surrendered to the facility.
The humane society, a nonprofit organization, raised its fees this year to member cities and entities to $62 per animal taken in. Executive Director Karen Froehlich said under the new fee, the county’s annual maximum contribution of $41,000 would cover only 661 animals.
Under the county’s previous rate of $54 per animal, the $41,000 contribution covered the cost of care to about 759 animals.
Last year, the shelter took in more than 1,300 county animals, Froehlich said. If the same number holds steady this year, Froehlich said the humane society would bear the full cost of caring for half of the stray animals brought in from rural county areas.
“I think that threshold is too low,” Froehlich said. “I think $62,000 at a cap of 1,000 animals is a more appropriate max.”
But Commissioner Lester Gibson said the humane society had not submitted its budget for the 2010 fiscal year to the court by June 15, as mandated by the county’s contract so that the request could have been considered during deliberations over the county’s budget.
“Since we had not had any communication, I assumed that $41,000 would be appropriate,” Gibson said. “If we could have had this information during budget discussions, then we could have taken that into consideration.”
Froehlich said she was not contacted by the court about attending budget work sessions in August to discuss the contract. She said she mailed information about the fee increase to the county in the latter part of June and again Sept. 29, when the county mailed a contract for the 2010 fiscal year that did not reflect the fee increases.
Froehlich said she was still in negotiations with the city of Waco to set the new fee until the end of June, which delayed getting budget information to the shelter’s member entities. The shelter’s final budget depends largely on contributions from the city because that is where most of the animals come from, she said.
Gibson also pointed out that the humane society had not re-signed its contract with the county for the current fiscal year. Though the county already had approved $41,000 for the humane society in its budget, those funds cannot be released until the contract is signed.
“We’re still taking your animals right now (even without the contract),” Froehlich said. “And we will continue to do so, because I would never turn my back on any of the animals of McLennan County.”
The humane society is being burdened by more animals than usual because of the faltering economy. Though the shelter has a steady stream of volunteers, those workers cannot handle animals because of potential safety and liability issues, Froehlich said. Only the shelter’s trained staff of 20 can care for the animals, while volunteers are used in clean-up and other office tasks.
“Taking care of 10,000 animals each year with a staff of 20 people is unheard of in the animal care industry, and our budget is unheard of,” Froehlich said. “We should be operating on $2.5 million or $3 million annually. I think we make smart decisions with our money, smart decisions with our staff, and I’m proud of the care we have been providing to animals here in McLennan County.”
The commissioners court deferred making a decision on the contract. Commissioner Ray Meadows, who is the court’s liaison for the humane society, said he would meet with Froehlich to reach a consensus on the contract before the court votes on the funding.
rdennis@wacotrib.com
757-5755
Comments
By aries
Nov 6, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this
what up that is cuz ppl ok
By animal lover
Nov 4, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this
The Waco Humane Society has made a tremendous change in their policy from years ago when they had a reputation of euthanizing animals in 3 days. That just does not happen now - they keep animals for very long periods of time to try to find them a good home; they work with rescue organizations and foster homes to save as many of these precious animals as possible. AND they do it with a very small budget which is very well managed to provide the best care at the least cost. I truly do hope the City of Waco will step up to help this worthy cause - the more money the WHS gets, the fewer animals get euthanized!
By Dog Lover
Nov 4, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this
TRUE dog lover, before you go pointing fingers at me and make assumptions, know the facts. I have 6 dogs, some pure breeds, some mixed breeds that range in size from 5 lbs. to 100 lbs. Oh, and I have 2 cats too. The two dogs I tried to adopt from the WHS, happened to be pit mixes. I did not want them because I am some big pit only lover, I love ALL animals. I wanted to give them a good home rather than be euthanized and they were sweet pets. BUT, WHS would rather kill them than take my money and me give them a good home. THAT IS NOT RIGHT. Where I choose to financially support is none of your business, but if it makes you feel better, I do donate to causes for animals, but it darn sure is not WACO HUMANE SOCIETY! Fuzzy Friends and Happy Endings are AWESOME places and gladly take my money and donations!!!! At least with them, I know my money is not spent to KILL sweet animals!!!! As for Dog Protector, you are right on, I totally agree! Thanks.
By Dog Protector
Nov 4, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this
Anyone who is a TRUE dog lover would also love the Pitties and the Bully breeds and give them a chance also and understand that the dog lover who wanted to adopt WAS considering giving them a good home, but was turned away just due to them being labeled at part pittie. So many precious animals are euthanized just due to the way the media has portrayed a certain breed. In the 70's, it was the Doberman, in the 80's, the Rottie and now the Pittie. These are strong breeds that make wonderful, loveable pets and if the irresponsible people were taking out of the picture, they would not have the bad rap that they have. You NEVER hear about all of the other breeds that end up in quarantine for biting at shelters and veterinarians every day. More people are injured by being abused by their spouse or children by their parents or caretakers than by any dog on earth, who are you afraid of the animals or the people, think about it!
By a TRUE dog lover
Nov 4, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
There are many, many dogs available for adoption that would make amazing pets. Have you considered giving them a "good home"? I am guessing the answer is "no."
So, crying about your pit issue does not sit well with me.
The animal shelter has a policy to NOT adopt out pit bulls. There are places that will adopt them. Are you are a financial supporter of such a place?
Again, I am guessing your answer is "no."
Again, crying about your pit issue does not sit well with me.
You should change your name to "Pit Lover." You are not a dog lover.
Volunteer at the shelter once or twice and you might find you have a huge change of heart.
By Dog Lover
Nov 4, 2009 9:28 AM | Link to this
I see here where the Waco Humane Society is asking for more money. If they would not euthanize adoptable animals, they might not have such a problem. I understand that there are situations where the only option is euthanization if they have certain disease or sickness. However, on 2 occasions, I have seen animals at the shelter that were part pit bull and they absolutely would not let me adopt them. Here I am willing to hand them $95.00 per dog, sign any kind of waiver or release of liability and give the dogs a good home but was denied. They would rather turn away my money, kill this dog than allow it to have a good home. So, crying about a money issue does not set well with me.
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