Animal organization's new name reflects new vision

The Columbiana County Humane Officer works with the new group.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- An organization with a worthy goal has a new name, a new location and a new vision.
The Salem Humane Society Inc. changed its name last December to the Humane Society of Columbiana County Inc. The name change reflects the group's expanded target area.
"We want to serve the entire county," said Bethany Drosendahl, the organization's executive director.
The society is building a new headquarters at 2180 state Route 45, south of Salem. The 32-by-34-foot pole barn is on the society's 23-acre site. It's also the first phase of a three-phase project to help animals and their owners.
The second phase will be a larger building, and the third phase will include another building and development of a dog walk through the site.
Lawsuit
The new moves come after the county society and the longtime Salem Area Humane Society were involved in a lawsuit over a trust to help animals. A judge finally awarded the trust to what is now the county society.
Drosendahl said the trust raises about $20,000 a year in income. But it's nice, she added, to have a financial base.
The county society's budget is about $110,000 for 2006, which includes the trust income, fund-raising events, membership sales and donations.
The Salem Area Humane Society's former shelter on the west side of Salem has been torn down and the property was sold.
Structures
The new building initially will house all operations. Drosendahl said the county society eventually wants to add facilities so people and law enforcement agencies can drop off unwanted animals 24 hours a day. That way, she said, people would not have an excuse to abandon or neglect animals they can't care for.
The second proposed structure will have about 3,000 square feet and cost about $300,000. Tentative plans call for it to be completed in about two years.
The final development of the property calls for a third building and the land to be named Columbiana County Animal Welfare and Education Center. Tentative plans call for the third structure to have about 8,000 square feet and cost $2 million to $3 million. The society's vision expects it to be built in about 10 years.
Education
The county society wants to emphasize education and awareness to help reduce the number of abandoned, neglected or abused animals, Drosendahl said.
Many people may not know how to care for an animal, where to turn for help or be able to afford care, she said.
Education to prevent problems will help keep the society from having to get into the costly and time consuming business of housing animals or having to euthanize adoptable pets.
The county society also is networking other groups, including the Columbiana County Dog Warden's Office and Angels for Animals.
Drosendahl, a transplant from the West Coast, said that Angels for Animals is as cutting-edge as any animal facility in the country. Local veterinarians are also neutering or spaying animals for the county society.
"We need all the groups to work together," Drosendahl said.
The society is seeking volunteers of all kinds, not just those who may work directly with animals.
The director of the Salem Area Humane Society also served as Columbiana County's humane officer.
The commissioners three years ago named William Fast, a longtime law enforcement officer, as the new humane officer. The commissioners directed him to work with the county society.
The county hasn't provided funds for the job this year, but Fast said the society provides him with a vehicle and gasoline.
Fast said that most of the calls he receives are neglect cases rather than abuse. He also said many people can't afford care for their pets, so he tries to educate them on how to take care of the animals.
wilkinson@vindy.com