AWL Feels Pinch Of Economic RecessionOn a cold, rainy day this week a black and white spaniel mix was tied so tightly to a pole outside the Animal Welfare League building, it was choking the dog.
The dog, drenched in rain, was enough to make Darla McCammon cry.
But unfortunately for McCammon, the executive director of the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, it's not uncommon for her or her staff to come into work in the morning and see dogs tied to a tree or a picnic table.The shelter takes in dogs and cats mainly, though McCammon said that they've been home to hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas and birds.
And the shelter is seeing a lot more animals come through its doors these days.
"Actually, looking at the numbers for the last three or four years, we've definitely seen an increase," said McCammon. "We're getting more pets surrounded by owners. We're getting more strays.
In fact, the shelter has had its three highest days of animals coming in in its history.
McCammon said the main reason for the increase is people can't afford their pets. She also said its common for people to get a dog or cat and quickly realize they are more responsibility than the owner intended.
The shelter can hold around 130 animals and that includes an outdoor kennel, which recently had a roof put on it.
Right now, the shelter is basically at its capacity.
There is about 10 people on staff at the shelter. They, along with volunteers, come in when the shelter is closed to feed the animals and clean their cages.
McCammon said the shelter can always use more volunteers. But what the shelter really needs is more funding. With more animals comes a higher cost.
Every animal receives shots, medicine when needed, checkups and, of course, food and water.
There is also dog training for basic commands like sit and heel.
The shelter also currently has a veterinary technician doing behavior testing on all the animals. When the vet tech is done, each pet will be graded to better match them with potential owners.
Each pet also gets a small blanket to provide some warmth and separation from their metal cage.
Things will only get tighter for the shelter come Jan. 1.
To help offset a shortfall, the county council decided to make all not-for-profit's 2010 budgets 90 percent of their 2009 budget.
"We need fundraising and grants to stay afloat," said McCammon.
McCammon said they will have to ramp up both fundraising and grant efforts.
The shelter depends on outside help. Recently, Catholic Charities provided an employee for 20 hours a week and will pay her for a year.
While the shelter does do euthanizations, once a pet is in their adoption center they won't put the animal down. Putting animals down is a last resort for the shelter.
"If an animal comes to me and it's been hit by a car and its suffering, (euthanization) is the humane thing to do," said McCammon. "Otherwise, we do all we can to not euthanize pets."
The shelter, located at 3489 E. CR 100S, Pierceton, also accepts recyclables like cans, cardboard and paper to raise money.
The cost to adopt a cat is $50 while a dog is $100.
McCammon said due to the shelter's dwindling budget, those prices may have to go up.
"It's proven that pets improve the owner's health," said McCammon. "All they want is a home and they will give you their love. Their love is unconditional."
For more information on pet adoption or to volunteer, call 574-267-3008 or visit www.awl-warsaw.org
