ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996 TAG: 9608140013
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
The Humane Society of Montgomery has paid off the mortgage on its animal shelter on Flanagan Drive near the interchange of Interstate 81 and Virginia 8. That's the good news.
The bad news is local donations to the society have fallen off since then. Humane Society President Ron Brown knows there could be two reasons: one is that donations often decline during the first half of each year as people pay leftover Christmas bills, taxes, go on vacation, and prepare for the start of the school year. Donations often pick up again as the year winds to a close and people look for tax write-offs.
The second reason for the decline could be that people think the society doesn't need their help, now that the note on the shelter has been retired.
And that's just not true, Brown says.
He has sent 1,250 copies of a letter to society supporters telling them the dogs and cats, puppies and kittens and other animals still need their help.
"My hope was that the money previously spent on the mortgage each month could be directed into more animal care and needed capital improvements," he wrote. "But in reality, our donations have declined so we are just breaking even each month and cannot expand our services without deficit spending."
Among the $30,000 in capital improvements the society has in mind are a larger reception area for its shelter, a paved driveway and an improved drainage area for the dog runs.
The shelter provides a variety of medical care for its animals, including treating broken bones, eye surgeries, more than 100 spay/neuter operations each year and other treatments.
"We're here to help, but in order to do that we need the community's help," Brown said.
The Montgomery society is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Beginning with a small group of people in 1971, the society now has about 50 to 75 active members and about 20 people who can provide temporary foster homes for animals, to go with its mailing list of more than 1,000.
The society receives no support from local governments, unlike some other animal-advocacy groups in other localities.
The society does not euthanize its animals, and its cages are always full, with more animals in foster homes waiting for an opening at the shelter, Brown said.
For more information, call the shelter at (540) 382-1166.
LENGTH: Short : 50 linesby CNB