Effective Saturday August 1st 2009, The Humane Society of Schuyler County assumed the management and operation of the Schuyler County Animal Shelter. The Schuyler County Legislature has authorized a contract between the two entities in an effort to further promote collaboration between public, private, and not for profit organizations to provide a higher level of constituent services at a lower cost.
“The Humane Society will provide county residents with one point of access for both area dogs and cats”, says Tim O’Hearn, County Administrator. “While this will greatly simplify and expedite the process for people seeking to redeem or adopt animals, it will also ensure a high level of care for our homeless pet population while significantly reducing the costs associated with this service to local taxpayers.”
“Initially, public adoption hours will remain Saturday 10 am to 1 pm, says Georgie Taylor, President of the Humane Society. “The hours will be expanded as more volunteers are trained. Our goal is to place medically and socially healthy dogs into permanent, loving homes as soon as possible”.
The Humane Society has functioned as an all volunteer, not for profit 501c3 organization in Schuyler County since 1987. The Society provides financial assistance for spay/neuter services and operates a low-cost spay/neuter clinic for the pets of income eligible County residents, shelter dogs and stray and feral cats. Through the spay/neuter clinics the organization has completed over 5,000 surgeries. The Society also runs a successful cat adoption program, having placed over 700 cats into permanent homes. In 2006, the organization purchased Dr. Fielder’s former veterinary practice on County Route 10 in Alpine which now serves as its office and spay/neuter facility.
“It has been our long term goal to provide services for both area dogs and cats. We are thrilled to be collaborating with the county to deliver these services. We will be extending the level of care we provide for the cats in our custody to the dogs of the county”, says President, Georgie Taylor. “This is an enormous endeavor and another significant milestone for the organization” says Taylor. We look forward to expanding the role The Humane Society plays in advancing animal welfare and becoming an even greater part of the fabric of the community”.
All dogs will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated for rabies, distemper, parvo and kennel cough, treated for fleas and parasites, tested for heartworm and micro chipped.
While dogs are in our care they will be on a flea preventative and all dogs tested negative for heartworm will be put on a heartworm preventative. Other medical issues will be addressed on an individual basis.
Effective August 1, all inquiries regarding the adoption of dogs or cats should be directed to The Humane Society at 607-594-2255.
All calls regarding lost or stray dogs or concerns regarding possible animal cruelty should be directed to the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department or Animal Control Officer Renee Hatch at 607-535-8222.
