Where Nodaway County residents were able to drop off strays and abandoned animals at the New Nodaway Humane Society for free in the past, they will no longer be able to do so starting today.
NNHS Board President Doug Sutton said that because of cuts in funding, the shelter would no longer be able to accept animals from outside those areas which they do not have an animal control contract. The only communities in Nodaway County that have such an agreement are Burlington Junction, Hopkins, Maryville and Pickering.
People not living in those communities can no longer drop off strays or abandoned animals for free, they will have to pay a price – similar to the ones that those communities with animal control agreements pay. This $70 fee covers food, shelter and veterinarian bills until the animal is reclaimed or adopted.
“The annual donation by the Nodaway County Commissioners has declined dramatically over the years,” Sutton said. “It went from $12,000 in 2004 to absolutely zero funding in 2009 even though we continued animal control service without change or charge to our residents.
“We also experienced a state-mandated wage increase of $25,000 with no government support. So we have to reduce our expenses with what is already a very lean budget.”
Since the NNHS is a not-for-profit agency funded through community animal control agreements, donations, grants, fundraisers and humane society memberships, they don’t receive state funding or revenues through a county or city tax.
Nodaway County Presiding Commissioner Joe Baumli said that the commission has suggested in the past that people of Nodaway County be given the opportunity to vote on a specific tax for animal control and sheltering, but that they have never received a response concerning putting the issue on a ballot.
“The Nodaway County Commission is acutely aware of the financial duress facing the animal shelter and is gravely concerned with their abilities to continue services,” Baumli said. “The commission has been forced due to the harsh realities of our economy, and a continued diminish in tax revenue, to slowly reduce the amount of funding requested by the animal shelter.”
Baumli said that while it is unfortunate, this is not the only program they’ve had to reduce funding for or cut.
“The county budget in 2009 was based upon the requests of 2008 and the amount of revenues received and the commission was forced to cut funding to several worthy programs,” he said. “Not only was the animal shelter funds eliminated, other important agencies as well.”
Sutton said having “Nodaway” in the humane society’s name has caused confusion among the public – casting the perception that it is a county-funded shelter.
“The name reflects the geographical nature of the society’s mission in the county, but it is not a county-operated facility,” he said. “To respect the wishes of a past donor, the humane society agreed to preserve the name. Hopefully, we can spread the word and clear up this confusion.”
After hearing the commission had not given funding to the shelter this year, NNHS board members offered to create an animal control agreement similar to area communities, but the commissioners opted not to install such an agreement.
Sutton said the board was told by the commissioners that they had no legal obligation to support the shelter, nor are they required to be involved in animal control unless there is a rabies outbreak.
“It is our sincere wish that the Nodaway County Commissioners reconsider this because animal control prevents such outbreaks,” he said. “It is best to be proactive rather than reactive to protect our community.”
Changes in the shelter’s policy were made when the board felt it unfair to provide animal control for free when other communities were paying for the same services.
“We deeply regret not having the ability to fund this important need and if the economy were to improve, would then look at the numbers again and make an effort to help,” Baumli said.
Sutton said they have tried to make the transition as smooth as possible, and have created a variety of alternatives. He said that if a stray is found, the board would like them to contact the shelter so a report can be taken and the animal can be scanned for a microchip ID. After this is done, a picture of the stray will be taken, along with contact information for the person that found them. Sutton said this information will be kept in case an owner comes forward.
If a stray is found by a resident living in the communities with an animal control agreement, Sutton asked that they contact the shelter so that staff can coordinate a pick-up with that city council’s approval.
“Even though the animal shelter cannot take care of the animal, we still want to help,” Sutton said.
“If the person is able to give a donation to the animal shelter to help offset the cost of the care for the animal and we have space, we’ll take it.”
If a person declines to temporarily care for the stray until an owner is found, they must contact the Nodaway County Sheriff’s office, Sutton said.
“Abandoning an animal is a crime, and the sheriff’s department should be notified,” he said. “The owner may be guilty of abandonment, neglect or abuse. We must work together to protect animals and the public from irresponsible or careless owners.
“To help restore the original policy, we ask residents to please contact the Nodaway County Commission to let the leadership know how important the animal shelter and its mission are to the community.”
For more information and a complete look at the shelter’s policy changes, visit www.nodawayhumanesociety.org.
