Humane Society Seeks Funding

The Jefferson County Humane Society is currently seeking help with its annual budget from the county budget committee. The Human Society sent a letter to the committee outlining the first six months of their fiscal year for 2016/2017. The letter consisted of a resume of the Humane Society’s financial reserves.

Jeanne Ringe, President of the Human Society, explained that currently $85,400 are in reserve; however, the shelter is using $70,000 for operation reserves in the first six months of the year. Operation reserves include $1,400 for animal health needs, $10,500 for rescue and spay/neuter, and $3,500 in ASPCA rescue transport grant given to the shelter.

Currently the shelter is seeing no significant profit margin over the past six months. It is estimated that the shelter needs its $70,000 for operations, but they are finding that difficult given a loss of $10, 961.41. This is almost a nineteen percent loss for the shelter in profits.

The Humane Society outlined the budgets and income of surrounding area shelters. In several counties the intake is nearly $2,000 to $3,000. Knox county seems to have the most significant budget and funding profit with $17, 500 for intake and a budget of 1.8 million.

The Jefferson County Humane Society, in contrast, has an intake of $3,000 to $3,500. The Humane Society fears this will not meet their current needs, which is why they have come seeking the help of the budget committee. As of this writing, no deal has been struck.

Source: Elizabeth Lane, Jefferson County Post Staff Writer