The Starke County Commissioners approved a one-time payment of $25,550 from the commissioners’ discretionary budget and an annual appropriation of $5,000 for the Starke County Humane Society during their July 20th meeting.
During the meeting, commissioners also discussed the Humane Society’s role in providing animal-related services throughout the county and the possibility of future discussions about long-term animal control solutions.
The Humane Society said in a statement following the meeting that the one-time funding will be used for several capital improvements and operational needs. According to the organization, $14,000 will be used to replace the shelter’s more than 30-year-old furnace and central air system. The Humane Society said the remaining funds will be used to purchase two computers, replace live traps used in its feral cat program and help cover the cost of state-required veterinary care.
During the meeting, Humane Society representatives told commissioners that the organization’s existing county funding is dedicated to rabies-related services through the Starke County Health Department and is used for expenses such as quarantines, testing and shipping suspected rabid animals. Representatives said that is the only financial support the organization currently receives from the county.
Commissioners and Humane Society representatives also discussed the shelter’s work with local agencies. Representatives said the Humane Society assists with animal-related calls involving law enforcement and other emergency responders and handles rabies testing and quarantines for the county health department. They also said they were willing to continue discussions with county officials about the services the organization provides and possible long-term solutions for animal control.
In its statement, the Humane Society thanked the commissioners for approving the funding and said it looks forward to continuing discussions with both the commissioners and the Starke County Council regarding services provided to the county and future compensation.
