To the Editor:

The Morgan County Humane Society is celebrating its “fur-st” birthday in their new Fairgrounds Road facility. It has been a busy year with nearly 400 animals rescued and 350 adoptions completed. Animal healthcare programs have also been expanded. The Atlanta Humane Society Mobile Surgical Unit has performed 150 spay/neuter surgeries and will visit twice more in 2012. PetSmart has funded similar services for an additional 270 pets. The Adoption Center holds rabies/distemper/microchip clinics with volunteer veterinarians vaccinating over 200 pets so far this year. These programs reduce the number of unwanted/feral animals and improve animal health throughout the county.
In addition to health services, the Adoption Center distributes pet food through The Caring Place and Meals on Wheels, conducts educational programs for Morgan County Schools and groups like the Girl Scouts and 4H and (assisted by volunteers) takes pets to visit the local nursing home and senior center.

The local economy benefits from Humane Society activities. Six new jobs have been created and thousands of dollars are spent each month with local merchants and suppliers. Who pays for this? Not taxpayers. Neither government agencies nor national Humane Society or ASPCA organizations provide funding. Support comes from local donors. Proper use of donations is assured by annual audits conducted by an independent CPA.
What has made this program successful? Three things: visionary leadership by an engaged Board of Directors, professional management and ongoing community involvement.

A birthday “paw-ty” will be held July 14th from 11:00–3:00 with food, drinks, tours, demonstrations, etc. Everyone is invited. The animals love having visitors.

Donna and Ralph Blanchard
Rutledge
Via e-mail

Printed in the July 5, 2012 edition