Pet Talk

by Cathy Davis
www.houltonanimalshelter.com
    We are out of money, literally.   I know that over the years you’ve heard many appeals for donations or funding and every single one of them have been serious.  It’s not a matter of the “boy who cried wolf” where we panic when we get low on funds.  We are not set up like some of the large  “for profit” shelters that have endowments or other cash set aside for a rainy day.   We have no cash.   
    It takes $2500 a week to run the animal shelter.  That sounds like a lot but with minimum wage at $7.50 an hour, just paying staff to take care of the animals runs $1300 a week.  And we send everybody home just as soon as the work is done, nobody sits down, nobody takes a break, everybody works hard and then leaves.  The State of Maine has to get their fair share for taxes and unemployment, the feds have to get theirs, and before you know it, we have a $70,000 a year bill for payroll.  
    Our staff is underpaid and over worked.  We have employees who have never had a raise but work their hearts out for the animals.  We offer no benefits.  Working for the shelter never made anybody rich.  The Board of Directors is not only unpaid, most give much of their own personal money for everything from purchasing laundry detergent and cat litter to stamps, thank you cards, supplies for special projects, you name it.  
    We have to pay to remove our trash, heat the building, keep the lights on, and power the appliances.  We have Vet bills for the injured and sick animals that come in to us.  We have Vet bills for the state mandated spay/neuter surgery.  We have to have insurance and we have to pay the mortgage.
    We receive about 50% of our funding from local towns.  The rest is donations, special projects, fund raisers, bequests.  
    Where we stand right now is that we have over 200 animals that need care, they are all healthy adoptable animals.  Every shelter in the state is full.  For us to find some place to take these animals so we can close down the building is impossible.  And contractually, we are obligated to keep taking more and more and more animals, at least until December 31st.
    If you believe in our mission, if you want to see us continue, we desperately need your help.  
    Please send your tax deductible donation to the Houlton Humane Society, P.O. Box 548, Houlton, Me 04730.   One day at a time, one dollar at a time, we hope to continue.    But we can only do it with your help.
    Please remember that Saturday, October 24th, we will be hosting a benefit supper at the Littleton Agricultural Museum.  Doors open at 4:30, meal will be served at 5 pm; cost is only $6 per person.  Please join us.  100% of the funds earned at this benefit, and all our special projects, go directly to animal care.  We appreciate your support.  I know times are tough, but we all have to eat, come have a good time with us, cheer us up a little, we need it!