Help Florida No-Kill Shelter Stay Open
This is a story we keep hearing over and over again, lack of funds causing shelters around the country to close down. The Humane Society of Northeast Florida is now facing this predicament. Their closing will mean the last no-kill shelter in the area would be gone.
What a horrible tragedy this would be, so many more animals face certain death if this happens. If we all come together and donate even a few dollars we can help keep their doors open.
The nonprofit agency cut hours from five full-time employees last month, causing them to quit. It’s expecting to layoff seven of its remaining 14 employees within 60 days. And unless the shelter sees an immediate surge in donations or adoptions, a permanent close may be imminent, said Kristi Adams, shelter co-supervisor.
“We’re trying to stay open as long as we can to adopt out these animals,” she said. “Right now we’re just grabbing an extra month, and grabbing an extra month, and hopefully a big donation will come in soon.”
If donations to the humane society continue are the current pace, they’re projected to be down $250,000 from the $430,000 yearly budget, Adams said.
The shelter would need to close the gap within six months to remain open.
The only source of funding for the organization is donations, its thrift store and adoption fees.
Adams attributes the financial trouble to an increase in area foreclosures and layoffs.
“A lot of people in Putnam are losing their homes and jobs,” she said. “It’s sad, but the first thing to go when you’re trying to save your family is often the house pet. And because we are no kill, everyone wants to bring their pets here.”
As a result, the shelter is over populated.
The humane society is currently housing about 200 pets, 60 more than its average. Some of the animals have called the humane society home for nearly three years.
The shelter adopts about 60 pets per month. But the adoption fees don’t even cover the animals initial medical expenses.
And with drop-offs to the shelter outpacing adoptions, it’s no longer admitting new pets, Adams said.
Watch the following video and see what your dollars will be going for.
To adopt: Go to the shelter at 112 Norma St. in Hollister, call (386) 325-1587 or visit www.hsnefl.org. Those who adopt from this Saturday to Saturday, May 30, will get one free introductory dog training lesson plus a starter supply of free dog food courtesy of Rene and Allison Hofstetter of Custom K9 Dog Training in Elkton and Michelle Stevens-Kraft, publisher of Pet Yellow Pages, a St. Augustine-based pet magazine.
Financial donations: They can be made several ways — using credit card, (386) 325-1587; online using Paypal, www.hsnefl.org ; or by mail, P.O. Box 188, Hollister, FL 32147
Food or supplies donations: They can be dropped off at the shelter. (To get there, take Florida 20 from Palatka toward Interlachen, turn right on to Rowland Avenue, then first right onto Norma Street.)
To volunteer: Call (386) 325-1587 or send and e-mail to shelterstaff@gbso.net.
* Jackflash is one of the adorable dogs up for adoption at the Humane Society NE Florida
It just breaks my heart to hear of these Sad Stories. I wish I could do more, give every animal a home. My thoughts and Prayers go out to them.
I will give what I can for this place of caring instead of killing our animals. They deserve to remain open for the sake of the animals. God bless the staff as well.
kept the shelter open
I gave $100, anyone care to match it?
Hi Erika…We matched it, anyone else?
I’ll make the deal even sweeter, if you donate $100 you’ll be entered for a chance to win a very cool dog throw for your car, couch, or anywhere that needs protection….http://www.cryptonfabric.com/crypton/forpets.do?category_id=1620. It’s worth $149!
Please view these links to online fundraisers set up to help them:
The link to the fundable is: http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-05-20.3552509695
The link to the widget for the chip in is: http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/7c519405a9d4d943
i want to donate something but i am from the philippines. i dont know how to send a money. what is the name of your bank so I could just deposit it huhuhuhu.. i wanna help.
Thank you Horst and Ginger. I called the shelter directly and gave over the phone. I don’t like paypal personally because I have a difficult time with it. The lady who took my donation was very sweet and appreciative.
If it will help your wonderful cause please feel free to use the video I have made at the link below on your site or wherever it will benefit animals.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9PzU0SAXzY
I posted the link to donate as well as this link to keep the Florida No-Kill Shelter Open at Twitter…
http://twitter.com/
Since my accident i have not been able to work and our finances are tight… but i can contribute by letting friends know and through prayer. So I pray that God will be gracious to ALL.
It breaks my heart that homeless strays are out there, not having been spayed or neutered to cutdown on population, neglect, and abuse ect. I have a dog , who I love dearly, and live in an apartment that only allows one .
Heartbreaking., We have soooo many unwanted pets. It is something I can’t wrap my mind around.
I would never give a pet up, no matter what the circumstance!
I understand how hard it is!I Work in a no kill shelter in Idaho where we always have 90 to 110 dogs! its very hard to keep a no kill shelter a float by the way they are ran! good luck! If i am visitinclose enough in florida i will come visit
They are still in need. Please help anyway you can. Set up online fundraisers, etc.
Please help stop this problem.
I tried.. I visited the shelter last month to donate time and money.The shelter was nasty. They wanted my money, but not my time.
What do you mean nasty that is the cleanest shelter i have ever been at unless you where there first thing in the morning if so i really hate to tell you this, but dogs and cats do poop all night long and it takes time to clean the mess if it was that bad why do you go and try to help to clean up after all these homeless animals..
oh yea one other thing if it wasn’t for them all those poor animals would have been put to sleep.I’m sure they are doing there best being short staffed.