Humane Society of Columbiana County working to get out of debt, restore services

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

SALEM

Columbiana Humane Society

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During this time of low temperatures and sometimes dangerous wind chill, the part-time humane agent with Humane Society of Columbiana County has found outside dogs with “icicles on them,” said Jill Halligan, outreach coordinator.

But, HSCC has only been able to try to “educate the owner” about shelter and provide straw as warm bedding, she said. “Right now, we can’t take in animals,” Halligan said.

The HSCC shelter at 1825 S. Lincoln Ave. has 40 cats and 10 dogs in its care. Some animals are part of court cases; some have medical issues; some are in foster care; others are available for adoption.

No matter what the animal’s situation, the care costs money. The HSCC is in debt, though it’s slowly working its way out. “It’s mostly medical debt,” Halligan said of the cost of veterinary services.

“The need is greater than the size of the organization,” Halligan said. “We just need more public support.”

Though she and Jill Abdoo, a board member and volunteer, declined to give

an amount of the debt. They acknowledged it was substantial. “We can’t stop caring for the animals we have,” Halligan said, adding some have continuing medical issues.

“Money is the issue,” Abdoo said.

HSCC is a no-kill, nonprofit animal welfare organization that depends on donations; it receives no money from Columbiana government or a national organization. HSCC can’t predict the amount of donations it will receive or how much various treatments will cost, Halligan said. Donations have gone down slightly. The organization also sponsors fundraisers such as The Plunge planned Saturday.

Halligan said some animals in HSCC care have behavorial issues caused by abuse and neglect. One dog has food aggression because she was starved. “Another place might have euthanized her, but we’re working with her, and she has improved,” Halligan said.

The society continues to receive numerous calls about “freezing animals.” “The humane agent can provide straw, and people can get straw at the shelter. We have a food giveaway once a month,” Halligan said. “We make a difference that way.”

People who keep animals outdoors are required to provide “adequate shelter, food and water,” she noted, but there’s no requirement that the shelter be warm. She said Ohio ranks 34th in the nation in animal-protection laws. Halligan said the HSCC and other animal-welfare organizations lobby for stronger cruelty laws but lawmakers seem to hesitate to formulate better animal-welfare laws because it might hamper Ohio’s agriculture business.

Halligan said she and other volunteers are asked, “How can you do this?” Her answer, she said, is “How can I not? Who else will?” She said more compassion is needed in the care of companion animals, and education is key.

HSCC offers a certificate for low-cost spay or neuter. Curbing the pet population is an ongoing effort.

All animals adopted from HSCC have vaccinations, are spayed or neutered, microchipped and get a wellness checkup. There are adoption fees for animals, which vary for dogs and cats.

HSCC also has a foster-care network in which dogs and cats learn how to live in a home. Animals are adopted to homes where they will live indoors.

Sally Geary, a volunteer who manages the cats, said she’s involved because she “loves animals.”

Brandon Zepernick, who works with dogs with behaviorial issues, said The Learning Dog in Hubbard has provided valuable advice and techniques to socialize and improve behavior of dogs with issues.

Halligan said staff and volunteers get to “see the success stories.”

“We don’t give up on them,” she said. For example, a group of puppies with parvo and another set with mange underwent treatment; all were adopted and are healthy, happy dogs. Three years ago, HSCC sheltered 31 Boston terriers rescued from a puppy mill. All were adopted.

SATURDAY'S EVENT

The Humane Society of Columbiana County is a no-kill, nonprofit animal-welfare organization that investigates cruelty, abuse and neglect. It also adopts animals into lifelong homes and promotes spaying and neutering pets. To report abuse: Call the humane hotline at 330-831-2613.

Upcoming fundraiser: HSCC and Corp 5, stations 28 and 29, of Hanover Township Fire Department will sponsor its first Plunge for Rescue at 2 p.m. Saturday at the East Lake Road boat ramp at Guilford Lake, west of Lisbon.

Training exercises and rescue-related demonstrations will start at 11 a.m.

Plunge fee is a minimum of $25, and participants will receive a Plunge Polar Bear patch.

Guilford Lake Civic Association will provide assistance and refreshments. There will be karaoke, corn hole and boccie tournaments.

American Revolution Live Pro Wrestling will take place at 8 p.m. with admission fees,

The humane society also will collect shelter supplies.

Location and hours: The shelter is at 1825 S. Lincoln Ave., Salem, and is open from 1 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and by appointment Sundays.

Registration and contact info: Visit www.columbianahumane.org for Plunge form and other information. Phone is 330-332-8622.