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.