What does it cost to run a Shelter?

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October 25, 2003

The Picayune Item

Letter to the Editor

As a volunteer for the Animal Shelter at 1700 Palestine Road, and as Secretary-Treasurer of the Pearl River County SPCA, I speak to a number of people about shelter operations. There seems to be a widespread misunderstanding, however, about how, and by whom, the shelter is funded.

In February 1998, the SPCA signed one-year contracts with the City and County under which the SPCA was obligated to operate the shelter for a stipulated amount of money each month. Since that time, the number of animals handled at the shelter has increased from 3,700 to nearly 5,000 per year. The SPCA employs one part-time and three full-time shelter attendants.

Other area shelters have an average ratio of 691 animals to one employee. The Pearl River Shelter, however, has 1,225 animals per employee.  For the past three years, the SPCA has not requested an increase from the City or County. This year, we did request an additional $800 per month, based on the position that the City and County should cover at least salaries and payroll taxes (approximately $67,500/year), which comprise only 45% of the total operating expenses. The other 55% is raised through adoptions, donations, reclaim fees, and various fundraisers by SPCA members. (There is no charge for bringing an animal to the shelter.) The City provides the building (as it stands), but maintains only the heating unit, one air conditioner, plumbing, freezers, and roof. The County supplies a load of gravel occasionally. 

Additional typical yearly expenses include:

accounting ($1,400),

pest control ($576),

utilities ($4,345),

euthanasia supplies ($5,730),

maintenance/supplies ($11,640),

medicine ($10,800),

vet services ($4,600),

and spay/neuter for shelter animals ($22,975).

Over the past year, the SPCA has incurred unexpected expenses, which included:

Preventive rabies shots for two new employees $720

Three A/C window units $700

One 8'x8' feed storage building $1,000

New dog runs and shelters $1,200

April 2003 storm damage to dog shelters $800

Using proceeds from the most recent fundraiser, the SPCA painted the exterior of the building and the indoor dog runs, and replaced the broken vent above the front door. The shelter is fortunate to have hundreds of volunteer hours, plus donations by SPCA members of equipment, supplies, and medical treatment for shelter animals. Also, significant amounts of money are given outright by SPCA members for shelter operations.

Many improvements have been made for the well-being of the animals, making them more adoptable, and presenting a more positive image of the City and County to the community at large. For animals in our care, the shelter routinely gives "puppy and kitten shots" , tests for parvo and heartworms in dogs and feline leukemia in cats, and obtains minor medical treatment for adoptable animals. SPCA volunteers often provide personal funds for major medical procedures such as heartworm treatments, broken legs, amputations, and other surgery for shelter dogs and cats. Volunteers also transport hundreds of dogs and cats to PETsMART stores in Covington and Slidell for adoption.

In August, the above information was provided, in greater detail, to the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors, and to the City Manager. After due deliberation, the City increased funding by $26 per month, and the County granted no increase.

And, by the way, the little red truck with "Pearl River County SPCA" on the side -- my husband bought it for me, and I put the gas in it.

Sincerely,

Bettie W. Cashion

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