Animal Welfare League Reorganizes
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Kosciusko County Animal Welfare League's board of directors made some changes at their February meeting which they hope will improve their organization.
"We voted at the director's meeting to expand the board from six to eight," said AWL President Margaret Kennedy.
She also said, "The Shelter Advisory Board is no longer in existence."
Animal Welfare League membership chairman Margaret Scott and president Linda Mullins withdrew their membership from the AWL and resigned in early February. Both resignations came on the heels of a request by the AWL board of directors for Mullins to resign.
One disagreement between Mullins and the board was whether the board of directors or the shelter advisory board made decisions and policies for AWL. Mullins said the power was vested in the advisory board, while the board of directors contended they were the governing body.
Chad Harvey was elected vice president at the February meeting and Bob Brilliandt was elected treasurer. AWL co-director Lisa Barber was named secretary. Tracy Yates is the other co-director. The veterinarian on the board is Dr. Madelynn Allen. Others named to the board include Heidi Bailey-Leininger, Sandra Hann and Thad McClone.
"It was decided that I would have to be (interim) president because no one else wanted the job," said Kennedy.
Peggy Gerkin stepped down from the board but will continue to work with the AWL as membership chairman, Kennedy said. Dr. Richard Sasso, who worked to help the AWL take over the Kosciusko County Animal Shelter, has also stepped down.
"He said he would be willing to help us if we had any questions but he left us basically on our own," Kennedy said.
Sasso could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Mullins also disagreed with the board as to whether or not Barber was co-director of AWL with Yates. Mullins contended that Barber could not be co-director and on the board at the same time.
Kennedy said Thursday: "(Barber) is good at doing certain things Tracy doesn't like to do and Tracy's good at doing certain things Lisa doesn't like to do. They complement each other well."
The AWL took over the animal shelter Nov. 1 from Kosciusko County. The league pays the county $1 a year to lease the animal shelter. The county, in return, pays the AWL $30,000 a year for expenses and pays the salary of animal control officer Jerry Clase.
Membership dues also were raised at the February meeting. Active adult membership dues will be $20 a year and junior membership dues will be $10. Four-legged membership will be $1.
Pet adoption rates have decreased.
The previous charge was $70 for a dog and $50 for a cat. When the animal was spayed or neutered, AWL would give $25 back.
"A lot of people thought (the pet adoption fees) were too high," Kennedy said.
Now the charge for a pet adoption is only $40 for either cat or dog. By reducing the adoption price, Kennedy said, AWL hopes more animals will be adopted. The AWL continues to receive many animals.
She said last Saturday AWL received 15 dogs by 11 a.m., including puppies. By 3:30 p.m., she said AWL had received 24 dogs.
"It shows you what an overwhelming job we have out there," she said.
AWL does not euthanize animals brought to the shelter unless they are severely ill.
Kennedy said the North Webster and Warsaw Optimist Clubs recently decided to go together and buy fencing for AWL to allow the dogs to run free outside.
"I think it might be within the next month or so," she said.
Barber and Hann also took a dog named Hope to the meeting who was beaten and shot and then taken in by the AWL. A veterinarian did $400 of work on Hope but only charged the shelter $150, Kennedy said.
For cases like Hope and for a recent cat that gave birth and suffered complications, AWL hopes to set up an emergency medical fund to help pay the veterinary bills, "so employees and vets don't have to pay out of their pockets," Kennedy said. Donations to the "Hope Fund" are welcome.
AWL also is having a fund-raiser with the help of Hacienda Wednesday. If patrons present coupons that are available at AWL or at Paws and Claws pet store, Hacienda will give 25 percent of what they take in with the coupons to the AWL.
"That would be a wonderful fund-raiser if we can get people to eat at Hacienda," Kennedy said.
She said AWL has close to 400 members and is always accepting new ones. Volunteers are needed.
"We'd just be very grateful for any help we could get," Kennedy said. [[In-content Ad]]
Latest News
E-Editions
Kosciusko County Animal Welfare League's board of directors made some changes at their February meeting which they hope will improve their organization.
"We voted at the director's meeting to expand the board from six to eight," said AWL President Margaret Kennedy.
She also said, "The Shelter Advisory Board is no longer in existence."
Animal Welfare League membership chairman Margaret Scott and president Linda Mullins withdrew their membership from the AWL and resigned in early February. Both resignations came on the heels of a request by the AWL board of directors for Mullins to resign.
One disagreement between Mullins and the board was whether the board of directors or the shelter advisory board made decisions and policies for AWL. Mullins said the power was vested in the advisory board, while the board of directors contended they were the governing body.
Chad Harvey was elected vice president at the February meeting and Bob Brilliandt was elected treasurer. AWL co-director Lisa Barber was named secretary. Tracy Yates is the other co-director. The veterinarian on the board is Dr. Madelynn Allen. Others named to the board include Heidi Bailey-Leininger, Sandra Hann and Thad McClone.
"It was decided that I would have to be (interim) president because no one else wanted the job," said Kennedy.
Peggy Gerkin stepped down from the board but will continue to work with the AWL as membership chairman, Kennedy said. Dr. Richard Sasso, who worked to help the AWL take over the Kosciusko County Animal Shelter, has also stepped down.
"He said he would be willing to help us if we had any questions but he left us basically on our own," Kennedy said.
Sasso could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Mullins also disagreed with the board as to whether or not Barber was co-director of AWL with Yates. Mullins contended that Barber could not be co-director and on the board at the same time.
Kennedy said Thursday: "(Barber) is good at doing certain things Tracy doesn't like to do and Tracy's good at doing certain things Lisa doesn't like to do. They complement each other well."
The AWL took over the animal shelter Nov. 1 from Kosciusko County. The league pays the county $1 a year to lease the animal shelter. The county, in return, pays the AWL $30,000 a year for expenses and pays the salary of animal control officer Jerry Clase.
Membership dues also were raised at the February meeting. Active adult membership dues will be $20 a year and junior membership dues will be $10. Four-legged membership will be $1.
Pet adoption rates have decreased.
The previous charge was $70 for a dog and $50 for a cat. When the animal was spayed or neutered, AWL would give $25 back.
"A lot of people thought (the pet adoption fees) were too high," Kennedy said.
Now the charge for a pet adoption is only $40 for either cat or dog. By reducing the adoption price, Kennedy said, AWL hopes more animals will be adopted. The AWL continues to receive many animals.
She said last Saturday AWL received 15 dogs by 11 a.m., including puppies. By 3:30 p.m., she said AWL had received 24 dogs.
"It shows you what an overwhelming job we have out there," she said.
AWL does not euthanize animals brought to the shelter unless they are severely ill.
Kennedy said the North Webster and Warsaw Optimist Clubs recently decided to go together and buy fencing for AWL to allow the dogs to run free outside.
"I think it might be within the next month or so," she said.
Barber and Hann also took a dog named Hope to the meeting who was beaten and shot and then taken in by the AWL. A veterinarian did $400 of work on Hope but only charged the shelter $150, Kennedy said.
For cases like Hope and for a recent cat that gave birth and suffered complications, AWL hopes to set up an emergency medical fund to help pay the veterinary bills, "so employees and vets don't have to pay out of their pockets," Kennedy said. Donations to the "Hope Fund" are welcome.
AWL also is having a fund-raiser with the help of Hacienda Wednesday. If patrons present coupons that are available at AWL or at Paws and Claws pet store, Hacienda will give 25 percent of what they take in with the coupons to the AWL.
"That would be a wonderful fund-raiser if we can get people to eat at Hacienda," Kennedy said.
She said AWL has close to 400 members and is always accepting new ones. Volunteers are needed.
"We'd just be very grateful for any help we could get," Kennedy said. [[In-content Ad]]