Humane Society looks to expand this spring

Did you know?

More than 900 pets have been spayed or neutered as part of the Humane Society program for low-income families.

After 30-plus years in the present building, the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri is hoping groundwork for a new facility will begin by mid-late summer, funded in part by a government grant. The present building was not designed to house the number of animals that are surrendered to us each year.

Housing, isolation and care have been a concern for many years. The new design will house more animals, there will be isolation and quarantine areas for the animals that need extra care or must be quarantined. The design will help in keeping the animals healthier thus making them more adoptable.

The Humane Society advocates for pet owners to spay and neuter their pets to decrease the population problem. In 2003 the Humane Society started the Spay & Neuter assistance program to help low income people get their pets altered at a reduced rate. More than 900 pets from low income families have been altered through the SNAP program.

The new shelter will be significantly larger and will require a larger staff. After completion of the new building full- and part-time employees will be hired.

The Humane Society is hoping people in the area will donate funds to assist in the construction of the new shelter.

For more information about the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri, visit www.semopets.org.