11/19/2009 3:38:00 PM Letter: Open your heart to Humane Society
Editor:
I fail to understand the lack of support for the Verde Valley Humane Society.
Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Verde Village, Oak Creek, Cornville, Rimrock, Montezuma...this is your animal shelter. There are far too many animals that are lost, abandoned, unwanted, abused for the present animal shelter to accommodate but I don’t see many citizens stepping up to help them get the space they so desperately need.
VVHS does not get federal or state funding. About one-third of their funding comes from the contracts with Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Jerome, Yavapai-Apache Nation, and Yavapai County.
The nominal fee these five jurisdictions pay for the keep of their animals does not cover the costs incurred by VVHS. Approximately another third of their income comes from proceeds of the Good Buy Shoppe located in the Clemenceau Plaza on 89A and Sixth Street.
The other third must come from public donations.
Have you looked at your utility bills lately? Try to imagine what just the utility bills for VVHS runs a month. Can you comprehend how much water it takes to wash each and every dog kennel and cat cage daily? Every single blanket, cage pad, water dish, food dish, and toy is washed and sterilized every single day. Try to comprehend the electric bill to light and run heaters and coolers for that old airy building. Add in the costs of natural gas for heating and propane gas.
Every animal that is brought in is brought up to date on their routine vaccinations. State regulations have changed and now each animal adopted out must be micro-chipped. Every animal must be spayed and neutered. Checked on the vet cost lately? So many times, the fee doesn’t even cover the costs of these shots plus vet services much less the cost of food and upkeep for their stay at VVHS. Some of these animals have been there for months waiting for a second chance at life. They are the innocent victims here.
Throughout the year, VVHS gives back so much to the community despite the fact that they are so strapped for cash.
They give sponsored discounts on adoptions, senior discounts, spay or neuter assistance (when outside grant money is available), vet assistance for your sick animals.
Some of the loyal supporters have been working for years to try to collect money for a new larger building. Bare facts – when VVHS has no more cages, animals must be euthanized....there is simply no place to put them.
VVHS needs about $200,000 to finish Phase 1 of their new building. Won’t you put these innocent animals on your holiday list this year? We all have friends who need absolutely nothing in the way of gifts. Make a generous donation in their name as their Christmas Gift. Give yourself the gift of the satisfied feeling that you have helped an innocent animal. Open your heart and your wallet. Every donation counts.
