Pike shelter facing closure

Kathryn Braisted MILFORD — When it comes to Pike County’s only Humane Society, a lack of funds may soon mean a lack of homes for over 1,500 potential pets. The society won’t be able to survive the next couple months with the amount of money it has, according to its director, Barry Heim. Heim said that as the county’s resident and pet populations increase simultaneously, his organization can’t provide adequate resources for them unless they receive more funding. The Shohola-based Society depends partly on the public and elected officials for support, since they aren’t given monies from the Humane Society of the United States, or from Pike County as a county agency. Heim said he credits most of the lack of funding to Pike’s 13 municipalities, who have been doing an overall poor job donating to the society. Specifically, he targeted Shohola Township — with 2,088 residents as of the 2000 census — which hasn’t allocated funds since 2005; and Westfall Township, which hasn’t given anything in recent years. Pike County’s estimated year-round population, as of July 2006, is 58,195 and municipal contributions total $11,850. This equals approximately 20 cents per resident. Heim and the rest of the society’s supporters don’t think that amount is nearly enough. “Even 50 or 75 cents [per resident] would work [with the $18,000 monthly operating budget],” Heim said. “The [Pike County] Commissioners give $4,000 annually, but that doesn’t even cover a week’s worth of bills.” Pike Commissioner Karl Wagner said the Commissioners do sympathize with the Humane Society, and gave them the same amount of funding as they do to other associations. “We make appropriations to many non-profits in the county. We’re running a very tight budget… it’s a matter of spreading a little bit of money to a lot of organizations,” he said. “We are discussing budget increases for next year … [but realize that] this is money from the taxpayers.” Another primary income revenue stems from animal adoptions. Recently, adoption rates have been down, following an 82.7 percent increase in 2007. But Heim wants Pike to know that it stands to lose much more than just an adoption center, if the Humane Society is forced to close. He says the services it provides are countless and frugal. Heim lives on the shelter property and takes home less than $30,000 annually. “We are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,” said Heim. “You’re at home sleeping, and we’re still out there.” Heim is a certified Humane Society police officer, and can arrest, prosecute, and obtain search warrants when necessary in animal abuse or neglect investigations. According to the director, a state dog warden can lawfully respond to calls on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Heim, on the other hand, says he takes action at any hour, intervening in dog fights, rescuing abandoned and injured animals, and removing pets from dangerous situations. Costs from these actions, particularly fuel, veterinary bills and food, are covered by the Society. The organization also pays for cremation, licensing, vaccinations, de-worming, rabies checks, elementary education programs for district 5th graders, salaries for its four employees, micro-chipping, spaying and neutering. The Society does not turn any animal from Pike’s 547 sq. miles of land — as well as the surrounding areas — away. Unlike other area shelters, the Pike County Humane Society isn’t given endowments or trust funds; yet its deficit last year was only $23,047, after gathering all funds on its own. “This is just going to take a lot of people writing letters to the editor … and getting involved. I put my heart and soul into this place, and I’m not giving up,” Heim said. The Society has several fundraisers scheduled to bring in the $25,000- $30,000 it needs to stay afloat: On Saturday, Feb. 23, a spaghetti dinner and mini tricky tray will take place at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Milford, from 5-9 p.m. The food and supplies donated from local eateries and vendors. On Sunday, Feb. 24, a Basket Bingo will be held at the Matamoras Fire Hall, with a $250 grand prize basket. The Mount Haven Mansion will host a dance party on March 15 from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Those 21 and older may attend the event; admission is either $20 or $10 plus shelter donations. “Remember, behind every animal is a person,” Heim said. “We need to start being humane.” For more information about the Humane Society, call 296-7654, or visit it on the Web at http://members.petfinder.org/~PA90/pchs_frames.html.