The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley may soon be seeking assistance from Washington County townships and municipalities in an effort to make up for a significant funding shortfall.

But while some township trustees might be sympathetic to the shelter's plight, they say their budgets are already stretched too thin.

Shelter representatives asked the Washington County Commission last week for additional funding on top of the $5,000 a month already allocated, saying if funding levels remained the same, the shelter could close its doors by May.

Commissioners said they had no money to spare now but might later in the year.

While the Humane Society shelter on Mount Tom Road just outside Marietta takes in animals from around the county, the only government entities contributing to the shelter regularly are the county itself and the city of Marietta, which provides $1,200 a month. Shelter manager Steve Herron said the group plans to look into requesting money from the county's townships and other municipalities.

Local humane officers have traveled 22,765 miles since Jan. 1, Herron said, an amount that is 8,000 miles more than the total for 2008.

"Whoever calls, that's where we go," he said.

The county's dog wardens deal with Ohio Revised Code violations related to dogs and coyote situations, while humane officers respond to all incidents dealing with animal abuse, neglect and abandonment, said Greg Sturm, assistant Washington County dog warden.

Through Friday, humane officers had responded to 10 calls in the city of Marietta in October, by far the most for the month, according to statistics kept by humane officer Butch Morris.

The next highest amount was in Waterford Township, with four. Two trips each were made to the city of Belpre and five townships. Six townships each had one call, meaning officers traveled to half the county's 22 townships in the first half of October.

Morris said the amount varies from month to month. For example, officers made four or five trips to Fearing Township in September, but none so far this month.

Herron has said if each township could contribute $250 a month, a total of $3,000 a year, it would make a big difference.

Even if some trustees were willing to do that though, they might not have enough money to give.

"We couldn't even do dust control (on township roads) this year because we didn't have the funding," said Patrick Gates, a Fairfield Township trustee.

Gates said he is expecting a cut in funding from the county next year and the prices for parts and materials the township needs are increasing. While he doesn't want the shelter to struggle, Gates said he can't see adding on another expense right now.

Liberty Township has gone without dust control for three years, said Liberty Trustee Leroy Schroeder. Although he'd like to help the Humane Society, any contribution would be limited, he said.

"We might be able to donate a few dollars, but it wouldn't be much," Schroeder said.

Marietta Township Trustee John Lankford said he would be open to contributing to the society, but he would have to take the issue up with the other two trustees.

"I would consider it - something reasonable," Lankford said. "Our township could probably afford it better than some of the other ones."

Lankford said he and his wife donate to the society when they can. However, if the township were to contribute, the trustee said he would like to see an accounting of where that money goes and how it is used.

"It's got to be there," Lankford said of the shelter. "We do need something. I think they do a fine job."

Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz said he has never been approached in his two years in office about contributing to the shelter.

"Personally, I'm not against it," he said.

Lorentz said the issue probably will be discussed by council. However, if council were to appropriate a contribution to the society, the mayor would want to see that come with more regulation of animals in the city. There is currently a leash law on the books but it is difficult to enforce.

"I would want to see some ownership on their part," he said.