Thanks to all the community support, the Logan County Humane Society’s Annual Chili Supper and Auction held Saturday evening was a huge success raising close to $6,000.
Society organizers said the event was filled with caring individuals who opened their hearts and pocketbooks and gave generously to help Logan County’s unwanted animal population.
“This year was one of the best events ever,” said Kathy Maddox, Humane Society Director. “A lot of people came out to help save the animals, which is what this event was all about.”
The event was held at the Sportsman Club in the Russellville City/County Park.
Maddox said if it were not for the kind hearted people in Logan County, the society could not accomplish what it does. She said there were many businesses and individuals that donated items and food for the auction which generated money.
Proceeds collected from the event will go towards the society’s thriving Rescue Program, which transports animals to facilities in the north. From these facilities Logan County animals find homes all over the nation.
“It’s really simple,” said Maddox. “There are states that have strict spay and neutering laws, which cuts back on the amount of stray animals in those areas. When people in these states want to purchase a pet, they can either buy one at a pet store or go to one of the many no-kill rescue facilities. It is a network throughout the U.S that shelters utilize. Most people are not aware of it,” she added.
When the Logan County Animal Shelter gets a dog in, it will go up on a register to be viewed by one of the partnering facilities up north. If the dog is lucky enough to be selected, it will be transported to that facility at the society’s expense. Sometimes, these animals will receive a permanent home before they even arrive at the northern facility, with their new family waiting for them.
“If it were not for the rescue program we would be putting an unimaginable amount of animals down each week,” said Maddox. The shelter gets in close to 1,000 animals each year.
The society has been involved in a rescue program for approximately five years. In that five years literally hundreds of animals have been saved. The society makes no money off of the transports. In fact it costs the society, who pays for the fuel to transport the animals and the vaccinations required before sending them. The society purchased a 16 foot truck a few years ago to transport the animals. Volunteers offer their time to drive them to their destinations which can be hundreds of miles away. The society takes approximately two transports a month. They also partner with other shelters, allowing them to “hitch” a ride to the facilities.
The Logan County Humane Society is a stand along entity and not affiliated with any other rescue facility in Logan County. They have partnered with the Logan County Fiscal Court for over 23 years to handle the day-to-day operations of the shelter. The society receives funds from the county government and the city of Russellville, however, those funds are strictly used for operating the shelter, not the rescue program, which is paid for by donations.
“The community plays such a large roll in saving these animals,” said Maddox. “For every dollar we receive, that is another chance for an animal to find a home instead of being euthanized. The people who give to the shelter are literally keeping these precious creatures from dying and we are very thankful to them for their kindness.”
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