MOUNT VERNON — The Knox County Humane Society, now called KCHS-Cats, has a new logo with the words “Care they need, love they deserve” posed over two cats, one with its head resting on the shoulder of another.
Representatives of KCHS-Cats appeared before the Knox County Commissioners Tuesday, asking that they be allowed to do what they believe they must — expand their shelter on county-owned land at 400 Columbus Road — in order to serve more cats with adoption services and live up to their motto. Although the entity is primarily a cat shelter with about 50 cats and kittens available for adoption at any one time, it also provides wellness and spay/neuter services for cats and dogs through a full-time veterinarian and other staff members.
Speaking for KCHS-Cats were board Chair Martha Otto, board President Randy White and board member Antonia Loyer. Their non-profit organization leases land from the county for $1 per year, and the lease expired in January.
“And, simultaneously to that (lease expiration), we got a generous bequest that got us thinking again about building the two additions,” Otto said.
Otto asked if county commissioners would be able to approve a lease extension beyond another five years. Otto and White said it is difficult to plan a much-needed
expansion of the building, without knowing if their lease will be continuous or not.
Commission President Teresa Bemiller said the way Ohio Revised Code is written it does not appear that commissioners have that authority, but would check with county Prosecutor Chip McConville. White said while the current commissioners support keeping the shelter where it is, they may not be in office in five years when the next lease expires.
“We will do what we can by law,” Bemiller said.
White went a step further — asking the commissioners to consider deeding the property to KCHS-Cats. The property at 400 Columbus Road is less than a quarter of an acre in size. Bemiller and fellow commissioners Thom Collier and Bill Pursel said they would consider it.
KCHS-Cats has an adoption rate of about 25 cats of 50 on site adopted each month, Loyer said. Spay and neuter services for dogs and cats are provided by veterinarian Elaine Sipka on Mondays and Thursdays. A low-cost walk-in wellness/vaccination clinic is offered for dogs and cats on Tuesdays. There is also a senior cat adoption offer — any senior age 60 and over can adopt a cat age 6 or older, with all its shots and spayed or neutered, for just $10.
KCHS-Cats will be holding an evening fundraiser event at 7 p.m. on April 17 at Amato’s Woodfired Pizza. The event will feature art offered at a silent auction designed by Kenyon College art students. All artwork proceeds will be donated to KCHS-Cats.
