Homeless Humane Society
Pets that are abandoned in Cache Valley are not only homeless – but temporary shelters can’t be found either.
The Cache Humane Society is currently operating through the use of volunteers and their homes and has been for almost the past three decades. An animal shelter is currently under construction but is at a standstill until $150,000 to $200,000 can be raised to complete the building.
“Any donations would help,” said Norma Barringer, who is on the placement committee and the board of directors for the CHS and is also a foster for many animals. “We’re stopped right now, right where we are at. We have to widen the road and finish the interior. We don’t have money for any of that right now.”
The new animal shelter is located at 2350 W. 200 North. Currently all that has been completed are the exterior cement walls and some of the interior walls. According to www.logan.lib.ut.us, once the shelter is completed, “There will be room for 100 dogs and 100 cats as well as grooming and treatment facilities, a public meeting and education room and a front office to coordinate admissions, adoptions and volunteer work.”
The CHS is a non-profit organization run on donations. The purpose of the CHS is to rescue animals from around the valley and place them in homes. Barringer said the new building is being built by cash donations as well as construction, materials and labor donations.
Linda Fields, who works for the CHS and a foster, said, “We are seriously, seriously overrun in this community. We are putting every penny we have into that building and we need it.”
Because the CHS does not currently have a shelter, it limits the animals that they can take in. It is currently not taking animals because there is nowhere for them to go.
“At this time we can’t take more than 15 to 20 dogs,” Barringer said. “I can handle up to 10 dogs, but that’s if some of them are puppies, and that also depends on their size. We can’t take another dog until we adopt out one.”
Aside from the difficulty of not having a shelter, the CHS also struggles to find temporary fosters for animals and volunteers in general. Barringer said before the cold and the holiday season hit, there were seven fosters in the valley. Just before Thanksgiving three fosters decided not to volunteer anymore.
“Volunteering is something that people want to do when it’s convenient,” Barringer said.
To help raise money to complete the new shelter and also for the animal’s daily care the CHS raises money several different ways. When a pet is adopted there is a cost of $80 for dogs and $60 for cats that helps to keep the CHS in operation. The organization has also recently applied for a grant and do several fundraisers throughout the year.
Paul Mueller, who is on the board of directors and a foster for animals, said, “We have a walk-a-thon and a Frisbee catch contest in the spring, and we also have garage sales as fundraisers. We also have our “Black Cat” benefit dinner and auction at Zanavoo around Halloween.”
When animals are adopted out to people the CHS is available to rescue another animal. Adoptions take place at the Logan PETsMART every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Before adopting they need to know the basics of taking care of an animal,” Barringer said. “I really wish that dogs that were adopted were taken to an obedience class and well-trained.”
Part of the adoption fee charged by the CHS goes toward spaying and neutering of the animals. The fees also include their parvo/distemper and rabies shots and a three-way shot for cats. There are also coupons offered by PETsMART to help get everything needed to care for an animal.
“We don’t want to adopt to someone who is going to chain the animal up,” Barringer said. “Inside is best. We try to encourage people to bring pets in and make them part of their families.”
Many of the volunteers for the CHS have been bringing animals into their homes for years and making them part of their families. Not only do they help the animals to find homes but also they give their time and efforts.
Lori Zilles, a volunteer for the CHS, said, “I just think that all of these guys deserve a chance to have a good home, it’s not their fault they’re homeless. It’s encouraging and also discouraging at the same time. I guess it’s just a small way to make a difference.”
Barringer said even little donations and help are greatly appreciated by the CHS. They are currently in need of dog and cat food, leashes, collars, towels, bowls, paper towels, pet-grooming items, blankets, general medicine, toys, financial contributions and volunteers for a wide variety of tasks.
To contact the CHS about donations or volunteering the phone number is 792-3920 or the Web site www.cachehumansociety.com has additional information.
To adopt a cat or a kitten call Mueller at 752-3171, to adopt a dog or puppy call Barringer at 563-9295. To inquire about construction needs, call 563-9295.
-rbarlow@cc.usu.edu
Katie Skabelund and McKaela Misustin, of Logan, hold a puppy at PETsMART. The 10-week-old puppy is searching for a home. (Photo by K’Leena Murphy)
Riley, a humane society puppy, was found with twine tied around its neck. Riley is awaiting a home. (Photo by K’Leena Murphy)