Humane Society of the Ohio Valley seeks funding from Washington County

MARIETTA - The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley met with Washington County Commissioners Thursday morning with a request for funds of $15,000 monthly to continue operations. Stating that without additional funding the Humane Society could face "being out of money by the end of the year."

The Humane Society of the Ohio Valley Executive Director Amy Roger presented commissioners with a budget breakdown of operations showing the annual cost for caring for stray dogs and safekeeping animals is $242,169.20, averaging to $20,180.77 per month. This cost includes the daily care and one-time costs for strays and evidence/safekeeping dogs and the cost for animals to be spayed and neutered.

Commissioner Eddie Place asked Roger if this appropriation of funds would solve the financial problems faced by the Humane Society.

"Yes, it would go a long way to solving the problems," Roger said.

Roger said while they do receive funds from the City of Marietta, $1,776 per month, and have received funds from the Ohio Attorney General's office, if they do not receive additional funding "we're looking at probably being out of money by the end of the year."

Commissioners asked about the possibility of entering agreements with neighboring cities, such as Beverly and Belpre, the Humane Society serves. Roger said she has reached out to Mayor Susan Abdella of Belpre, and is open to creating agreements with additional cities in Washington County.

Commissioners urged the Humane Society representatives to speak with the city of Marietta to request additional funding and asked what percentage of animals come from Marietta. Roger said approximately 50% of their animals come from Marietta, and said she would compile additional information showing the breakdown of where their animals come from.

Roger also said the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley is run as a hybrid dog pound and rescue, which leads to difficulty in securing grant funds, which led to the request for funds from Washington County.

Commissioner Charlie Shilling said that while the commissioners are not prepared to make a decision on granting funds today, they would speak with all related parties in consideration for building a budget if the support of the Humane Society is agreed upon.

"I think this is a real step forward," said Shilling.