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Garrard shelter needs help to avert financial crisis

July 16, 2012|By STEPHANIE MOJICA | smojica@amnews.com

LANCASTER — People from other states have been chipping in with donations to help save Central Kentucky Regional Humane Society’s no-kill shelter in Garrard County from foreclosure.

Recently, Executive Director Mark Hurte had to design a public SOS — or Save Our Shelter — plea. If the non-profit organization does not come up with $3,000 in late mortgage payments by Aug. 1, Whitaker Bank will foreclose upon the shelter located at 214 Richmond Road in Lancaster.

“We really don’t like to beg,” Hurte said of the all-volunteer staff. “But if we don’t let people know what’s happening, animals are at risk of being put to sleep.”

One of the functions of the humane society is to pull adoptable animals from shelters throughout the state that have a euthanization policy. Right before the financial crisis, Hurte and volunteers saved a dog from Estill County. If the Lancaster facility closes, 13 dogs, seven puppies and 14 cats no longer have a home and could be placed in shelters that euthanize animals who are not adopted or claimed within a specified time period.

As of this morning, the humane society had raised about $2,600 toward its initial $3,000 goal. But even when the shelter raises the entire $3,000, that only wards off foreclosure for now. Hurte said it costs about $4,300 each month to pay the mortgage and utility bills and provide necessities for the animals. The shelter does not have any paid employees; about 20 active volunteers help with daily operations such as feeding and cleaning animals.

“We’re expecting an unusually high electric bill due to the recent heat wave,” Hurte said.

In response to the financial crisis, the shelter has held and will continue to hold fundraisers throughout Lancaster and Lexington. But the key toward saving the shelter over the long haul involves consistent donations from community members.

“Even $5 a month can really make a difference,” Hurte said.

Hurte hopes soon the shelter will have room to take six more puppies that need a safe place to call home until families adopt them. The Central Kentucky Regional Humane Society usually sends two to three dogs and two to three cats each week to new families.

For more information, visit http://centralkyregionalhumanesociety.chipin.com/central-ky-regional-humane-society-sos-fund or call (859) 792-4581.

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