News
Facing a Challenge in Florida
August 09, 2006, 12:0AM MT
By Michelle Buckalew
Facing a Challenge in Florida
Facing a Challenge in Florida
For the staff, volunteers and board of directors of the Humane Society of Northeast Florida Shelter, these are challenging and, potentially, discouraging days.
Based in Putnam County, one of Florida’s poorest regions, the 20 year old no-kill shelter is facing the prospect of closing the doors if it cannot raise enough funds to bring its facilities up to appropriate building code standards.
Like many privately-operated shelters around the country, the Humane Society of Northeast Florida Shelter has been a volunteer-driven “labor of love” throughout its entire history. Through the years, additions have been made and equipment installed to accommodate the 200 dogs and cats regularly housed at the shelter.
But, over time, the building extensions and the equipment have worn out or become less than perfect. Focused on maintaining their “no-kill” standards of the past three years, the shelter management and board of directors have worked long and hard to have their animals fed and cared for properly.
A point of considerable pride has been their on-site spay/neuter clinic, which has allowed them to stay true to their ongoing philosophy and commitment to the long-term health and well-being of the dogs and cats for which they are responsible.
Now, however, the local authorities are insistent the shelter must invest precious dollars in bringing the buildings and facilities back into line with county requirements. The good news for the staff, board and volunteers, is that the county officials are bending over backward to help the shelter get back on its feet so it can continue its work.
The challenge for the shelter is in raising the necessary funds to accomplish what needs to be accomplished over the next 30 days, particularly given the nature of Putnam County: big hearts – but not so deep pockets.
Specifically, the shelter needs three things: to purchase a $45,000 septic tank to replace an aging system that was originally installed to handle just 20 dog runs; $50,000 to assist with other repairs; and a volunteer general contractor who can oversee the repair work.
Best Friends is asking its members to help give the Humane Society of Northeast Florida a second – and fighting – chance.
Donations can be made in one of two ways:
1. directly to the shelter:
The Humane Society of Northeast Florida
PO Box 188
Hollister, FL 32147
386-325-1587 (8am – 7pm EST, 7 days a week)
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/FL41.html
2. or by clicking on the “Network Rescue Fund” button on the front page of the Best Friends Network – http://network.bestfriends.org – and putting “Humane Society, NE Florida” in the “Comments” field of the donation form.
As usual, 100% of all contributions designated for the Humane Society of Northeast Florida will be forwarded to them.
In-kind donations (such as new septic tank) or volunteering to help with the general contracting should be coordinated through shelter director, Robin Kantner.
It is a challenging time for the Humane Society of Northeast Florida Shelter. But, as Best Friends members know full well, there is strength in numbers – and, together, we can ensure the good work of this shelter continues for another two decades and beyond.
Story written by David Phelps