SHELTER BOARD EXHIBITS GOOD SENSE OF BUSINESS

The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri plays an important role in our region. Yet, for years, financial woes have threatened the institution's very existence.

Shelter officials are now adopting a more businesslike approach to operations in hopes of securing financial stability. We commend the shelter board's foresight. The humane society's mission is much too important to all of Southeast Missouri for operations to be continually bogged down in financial worries.

This new direction comes from the same board members who have weathered a number of financial storms over the years. To work toward more financial independence, the board has hired an agency administrator as opposed to a shelter manager. That administrator, Nancy Richards, is working to standardize procedures and basic business operations.

Each year, the shelter takes in about 4,500 animals. Dogs outnumber cats two to one. Other than a small shelter in Sikeston, the Cape Girardeau operation serves most of Southeast Missouri. Animals are brought in from as far away as Fredericktown and Farmington, Dexter and Charleston.

Shelter finances are often misunderstood. Many people think the operation is a state or government agency funded strictly by tax dollars. But that's not the case: the humane society operates as a private enterprise dependent on contributions from people and cities utilizing its services.

The shelter will operate on a budget of about $75,000 this year. About one-third of that will come from contributions of area cities, including Cape Girardeau, Jackson, Scott City, newcomer Perryville, and Cape Girardeau County. As part of this new businesslike approach, the shelter board plans to approach more cities about a yearly contribution.

Other income is generated through adoption fees, membership drives, general donations, and an annual auction that typically raises about $9,000 to $10,000.

In the past, the shelter has had its hands full just generating funds for daily operations. That meant major needs such as paving the outside dog runs have gone unmet. This project, which would go a far way to fighting disease at the shelter, would cost about $25,000.

As part of the more businesslike approach, the shelter board plans to take a more serious look at fund raising. They hope to approach, not only more municipalities, but civic groups and clubs about their financial needs.

The ultimate goal is to move past the day-to-day financial worries so they can address the larger educational issues of animal care. Of the 4,500 animals taken to the local shelter last year, about 3,500 were put to death. Those are better-than-average statistics for shelters but are not numbers local shelter officials want to accept. Increased education on animal control and the importance of neutering and spaying animals can make a difference to lower those numbers. More people must accept their responsibility to animals.

The humane society's financial woes won't be solved overnight. But the board has demonstrated astute action to change the trends, and move toward sound financial footing.