Humane Society makes case for 2013 contract renewal

The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri proposed a $21,000 contract renewal with Cape Girardeau County during Thursday's Cape Girardeau County Commission meeting.

Humane Society board member Charlotte Craig presented the request and said the money would be used for fiscal year 2013 operations and was the same amount it received in 2011.

"We've got a tight ship and strive to get animals into homes," Craig said. "We have an excellent staff that is now a stable one, and I don't see salaries changing."

Craig noted the contract request was based on the number of animals the Humane Society received from both the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Department and residents outside of Jackson and Cape Girardeau. That number was slightly more than 4,000 animals based on 2011 statistics, which were presented because 2012 numbers are incomplete.

"The cost for 2011 was almost $82 per animal," Craig said, "and the request for $21,000 represents one half of the total costs the Humane Society incurred for the Cape Girardeau County animals it received. We think it's a fair request."

Commissioner Jay Purcell asked Craig how most of the animals come to the Humane Society.

"Strays and surrenders," Craig replied. "The strays have always had their way of showing up, but we also receive a fair amount of animals from people who simply want to give up the animal."

Craig said the services the Humane Society provides include housing and feeding of animals, medical care and transportation to area veterinarians upon adoption. She added the Humane Society also keeps potentially diseased animals away from the public.

Adoption rates at the local Humane Society are the highest in Missouri, she said, and some of animals have been placed in locations as far away as Maine and Vermont.

"There's a small-animal shortage in the Northeast," she said.

According to Presiding Commissioner Clint Tracy, the Humane Society's funding request will be considered when the budget process begins in November and will be announced by the end of the year.

klewis@semissourian.com

388-3635

Pertinent address:

2536 Boutin Dr., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1 Barton Sq., Jackson, Mo