Humane Society of Southeast Missouri seeking more members

By Chris Pagano

The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri is running out of space, so the group has kicked off a membership drive and is planning more fund raisers

"Every kind of person has a little bit of money, and I want to reach all of them," said events and outreach coordinator Cheryle Dillon.

The building at 2536 Boutin Drive is 35 years old, has plumbing and electrical problems and cannot adequately quarantine sick animals. Lack of office space resulted in file storage in outdoor sheds. Administration works out of a 4-foot-by-10-foot room and there is no break room. The bathroom is no bigger than a closet.

"We have volunteers who are professional groomers that can't help us here because there's no room to groom an animal," said board member Judi Davis. "Animals are much more adoptable if they're groomed nicely."

Board member Jody Geiser said a new building and furnishings will cost $2 million to $2.5 million. The Humane Society owns the land that the current 2,200-square-foot structure occupies. The operating budget, between $250,000 and $300,000 per year, is funded entirely by donations.

New fund-raiser ideas include an invitation-only dinner and dance, an idea that grew out of a cat sanctuary in Rome, Italy, started by Americans who saw the need for a shelter for stray cats. The dinner, dubbed "Stray Cat Strut," will also give away a trip for two to Rome. The first 300 guests who respond will be eligible.

In past years, an auction and Bark in the Park were the the shelter's big fund raisers. New fund raisers this year include a garden raffle for a shed and equipment and a golf tournament held just this past Friday.

Plans for a presentation to the city regarding the need for a new shelter are in the near future.

"While we are an animal shelter, we are not a permanent home," said Humane Society president David Roth. "Our purpose is to bring people and animals together. A new building will help us do that."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133