Animal shelter real winner in 'Idol' promotion

The celebrity dreams of American Idol hopefuls were turned into hard cash for the New Nodaway Humane Society last week when Todd Hill, president of Tri-State Ford Lincoln in Maryville, presented $1,000 to the society raised during November's Go Further With Ford Night.

The event gave area vocalists a chance to record a video audition that was forwarded to the reality-based TV talent contest using a special booth set up at the dealership. While visiting Tri-State, contestants were also given the chance to test drive a new car.

For every test drive, Ford Motor Co. and Tri-State made matching donations to the local animal shelter.

Hill visited the shelter on Friday and handed a check to shelter secretary and receptionist Sue Hoskey.

Hoskey said the money would be used to help cover basic operating expenses at the shelter, which come to nearly $200,000 a year, the lion's share of which is raised through private donations.

The city of Maryville provides the shelter with an annual $82,800 subsidy, and the facility also received $1,500 this year from Nodaway County.

Hoskey said the shelter, which has a full-time manager and a half-dozen or so part-time employees, spends at least $250 a week on dog food alone.

Each year, the shelter houses scores of stray, abandoned or abused animals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The current population at the facility includes about 70 dogs and more than 100 cats waiting to be adopted.

Adoption fees are $80 for dogs and $70 for cats. The charge include sterilization, vaccinations, worming, rabies shot and an under-the-skin microchip ID.

In addition to sheltering animals, the society is also the city's agent for selling dog tags, which are required by municipal ordinance. Tags may be purchased at the shelter and cost $5 for a neutered or spayed dog and $25 for an intact dog. Tags must be renewed annually.