Meeting to Be Held to Determine Future of Humane Society
Meeting to Be Held to Determine Future of Humane Society Save Email Print
Reporter: Chris Woodard
Email Address: cwoodard@nbc15.com

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Update: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 --- 8:45 p.m.
Reporter: Chris Woodard

As bad economic times continue to take a toll in many walks of life, some who need help the most may be about to lose it.

Unable to fend for themselves and with nowhere to go, animals at the Iowa County Humane Society may be running out of options.

They are Iowa Counties abandoned and where everyone else has failed them in life, here they've found a home.

But financial troubles have animals and employees alike yelping for help.

Without it, second chances at life and jobs may be lost.

Outreach Director Cheri Phillmore says, "We may be forced to close our doors"

The amount of pets coming in continues to rise and donations can't keep up. Operating costs for the humane society have gone from a few thousand dollars to almost $300,000 this year.

Phillmore says, "Our future is at stake here and we cannot continue to go on the way we are; we need to have some solutions, immediate and long term."

If the worst case scenario becomes a reality and they're forced to close the doors, there will be a lot more pets whose lives fall into the hands of someone else.

Iowa County Sheriff Steven Michek says, "That would be very distressing. It's very difficult at these budget times."

The shelter serves all of Iowa County and without it, animal calls and housing for strays would be left to local officers and city governments.

Michek says, "The humane society generally will take care of a good number of those calls before it becomes a law enforcement issue."

Soon it may be everyone's issue. Some major donors have made it possible for the shelter to keep their doors open through summer, but now, they need someone to throw them a bone.

Humane Society employees and board members have planned a meeting for Thursday the 28th to talk about their future and say right now, it's too early to say exactly what they'd need to stay open, or what would happen to the animals if they don't.


Tuesday, August 19, 2008 --- 10:10 a.m.

According to the Dodgeville Chronicle:

The public and members of the Iowa County Humane Society are invited to attend an informational meeting on Thursday, August 28, 6:30 p.m. at Stonefield Apartments, Dodgeville. The focus of the meeting will be the future of the humane society.

In the 10 years since the humane society was formed, almost 4000 stray and abandoned animals have found homes. However, the humane society is currently at a crossroads and the board is in the process of determining if the doors can stay open.

Because of rapid growth humane society expenses are far exceeding income. In just a few short years operating costs for the humane society have gone from a few thousand dollars to almost $300,000 this year.

The board and concerned volunteers are holding the meeting to hear ideas, suggestions and to gauge community support for the humane society. In order for the humane society to continue there will need to be more public involvement. Without help the humane society faces the real possibility of closing the doors.

Anyone that has any questions can email: ichs@mhtc.net or call the humane society at 608-935-1381. If you can not attend the meeting the humane society still wants to hear from you.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 13, 2008 at 11:20 PM
Has anyone seen any documentation on salaries for the ICHS? All I see is $132,000 per year for salaries, but haven't seen how that's divied up and to whom. Seems like excess.

Posted by: Dog Dad on Aug 21, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Maybe the Humane Society should assess their adoption rules. They rule out people for the most idiotic reasons. I was once refused adoption because I work 12 hour shifts and live alone and they felt that was too long for a dog to be left alone. I was willing and ready to adopt...but instead the dog just sat there unadopted. So I went and bought a dog. Guess what, I trained her to use a piddle pad, and she is perfectly happy. Humane Society's cry about over population, but wont adopt an animal out unless its to the "perfect" home. Well, no home is perfect, and my home is better then the gas chamber.

Posted by: Bridget Location: Iowa County on Aug 21, 2008 at 12:54 PM
It is all about the animals. These dogs and cats have been abandoned or abused. The humane society is their last hope. Give what you can and if you cannot, we will welcome your time or your prayers.

Posted by: pam Location: dodgeville on Aug 21, 2008 at 07:29 AM
The humane society would do a lot better if they had new board members and directors. the employees there doing the work taking care of the animals are the back bone of the place. They need our help.

Posted by: Beg2Differ on Aug 21, 2008 at 06:49 AM
$125 is high and I did research it. But, that is just my opinion. That's right, I am allowed to have my opinion, correct?

Posted by: Jay Location: Iowa County on Aug 20, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Anon, How dare you say that I have no compassion for animals. You don't even know me! We have had and still have animals on our farm. Some we have sought out and some who have found us. Our pets have been very well taken care of and much loved. We've had families stop by looking for kittens that have said they were at the humane society and the fee was $100 for a kitten! I don't think they were lying to us. Of course it wasn't recently so I don't know if or when they've lowered their prices. As far as the no-kill issue, I won't even get into that here. I don't push my beliefs on others usually. I was just responding to Amazed that there are too many pocketbooks that can be opened for this cause since they are empty if not close to it. For those of you in the big city who have not seen the devasting effects of the flooding, please don't assume everything is OK out here. It's not. There is much work to do and much funding needed also. As I said all my extra $$ went to flood relief.

Posted by: hailey Location: iowa county on Aug 20, 2008 at 12:17 PM
It is to bad that you negitive people in the community can't have hearts as big as your mouths.The shelter does not recieve tax payer money. The shelter is mostly run on the people who generously donate money.Thank god for the people with conpassion.

Posted by: Alisha Location: Iowa-County on Aug 20, 2008 at 09:22 AM
In response to Beg2differ: I have adopted animals from ICHS and their prices are actually very good. $20 to adopt a cat that is spayed and all of the shots? You can't get better then that! $125 to adopt a dog that is fixed and all shots, that is a VERY reasonable price compared to what you'd have to pay at a vet. Maybe you should do a little more research about the shelter before you comment on the situation.

Posted by: Anon Location: Madison on Aug 20, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Jay-Do you have any idea what those shelters provide for the animals that come through their doors? You are getting an animal that has been spayed/neutered, had a complete physical, shots, etc. Of course they should charge a fee. And please do not tell me you are insinuating they should start killing off animals just because they don't have enough money. It's the irresponsible and inconsiderate pet owners (see Joel's post) that got the Humane Society into this mess! I sincerely hope that you are not a pet owner as you clearly show no compassion for animals.

Posted by: Beg2differ on Aug 20, 2008 at 06:27 AM
I would rather donate money than be forced to pay through taxes. I have to do that enough for schools. It is unreal how much humane societies charge for adoptions. Maybe it is time to start from scratch and review where costs can get cut.

Posted by: Jay Location: Iowa County on Aug 19, 2008 at 08:01 PM
I'm sorry Amazed, I cannot find it in my heart or my bank account to help the Humane Society. For the most part Iowa County is not very wealthy. We have had a huge set-back with this summer's floods and there is still far to go in that recovery. Any extra money I had to give, went to the flood effort. There's is no question in my mind that we have to take care of our residents before we can even think about helping the Humane Society. They've gotten themselves into this mess being a no-kill shelter and charging huge adoption fees. The fact that the shelter thinks they have to charge such high fees to insure an animal a good home is ludacris

Posted by: amazed Location: dane county on Aug 19, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I sincerely hope the residents of Iowa County can find it in their hearts and bank accounts to voluntarily donate to this worthy organization. For the alternatives are bad for the animals (closing the shelter), or bad for tax payers (governmental force, or tax).

Posted by: Joel Location: MAdison on Aug 19, 2008 at 11:02 AM
As a pet owner I find it appalling that people let their animals run loose at night, and do not spay or neuter their pets. If the humane society cannot afford to stay open, I would hate to see what the feral animal population will explode to in that county. People need to be a little more responsible when either considering to or owning pets. Some people do not realize the responsibility that is involved when becoming a pet owner. People like the idea of having pets, then come to find out they require the owner to take care of them. When the thrill is gone what do some of them do? Either open the door and throw them out or drop them off at the humane society. I volunteer at a humane society and it is heart breaking to see these poor animals disgarded because the owner was not taking into consideration the amount of money, time and effort it takes to have an animal. They are no different than having a child, they depend on you! Think before you adopt!

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