Animal welfare society adopts ‘no-kill’ policy

By D.a. Wilkinson

SALEM — The Humane Society of Columbiana County has adopted a new “no-kill” policy for animals.

A cat with a cold or a scared dog that had been beaten or had a broken leg could have been put to death in some places, according to Jenny Pike, the president of the Humane Society of Columbiana County.

Pike said that in general, a “no-kill” animal-welfare organization is one that does not euthanize any “adoptable” animal.

The society is also hoping the county will become the first entirely “no-kill” county in Ohio.

The Columbiana society has hired Mark Twyford to serve as interim executive director and oversee the local group’s transition to a limited- admissions philosophy. Injured animals will be given to volunteers to care for until they are healthy.

Twyford is the chief executive officer of the Humane Society of Allen County. He has eight dogs. Twyford, who lives in East Liverpool, proposed and guided a similar transformation when he took over that organization five years ago. He will continue to fulfill his Allen County commitment while helping guide HSCC as a volunteer.

Twyford, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Ohio Federated Humane Societies, believes that the pieces are in place to make Columbiana County Ohio’s first entirely “no-kill” county.

“Historically, the two main stumbling blocks to ending the killing of homeless and abused animals, outside of failing to spay and neuter, are a lack of interest on the part of county animal control and a lack of funds,” explained Twyford. “Now, thanks to the hard work of everyone associated with HSCC, we find ourselves with the opportunity to work with not only the dog warden and her staff but also all of the other animal-welfare organizations in the area to create the prototype for ending the killing of homeless animals on a countywide scale. We must seize that opportunity,” he added.

Maddie’s Fund, a national foundation, can fund $1 million or more for a multiyear effort to correct the local program.

To get those funds, county Dog Warden Dawn McVay must be on board with the project, and she is, according to Twyford.

There are several problems to be addressed. Animal-control and animal-rescue groups have often been at odds. In some areas, the rescue groups became much like animal-control groups, Twyford said.

County animal lovers have had success in finding owners for local dogs and cats in other states.

Dropping kittens off at a farm doesn’t work since it becomes a struggle of the fittest, Twyford said. Spaying and neutering animals does not solve all the problems. Cats can breed faster than any program to sterilize them.

“By working together even harder, we can create a future where no adoptable animal need be euthanized,” McVay said.

The Humane Society of Columbiana County, 1825 S. Lincoln Ave., Salem, is a private, nonprofit organization that is not affiliated with either the Humane Society of the United States or any governmental entity. The group receives no tax dollars and must raise all of the money necessary to come to the aid of animals found throughout all 532 square miles of the county. The society can be reached at (330) 332-2600.