MOUNT VERNON – It’s been a busy year for the Knox County Human Society. So far in 2020, 359 animals have been through the shelter, compared to 291 for the entire year of 2019.
Supervisor Kelly Spencer talked to the Mount Vernon News about the organization’s work and mission.
What kind of services do you offer?
We have a low-cost spay and neuter program for cats and dogs. We also have a low-cost wellness clinic for testing, vaccines, and flea and heart worm medication.
What do you like most about working for the Human Society?
Helping the animals.
How do you measure success?
By the number of people and animals we help in the community. We’re booked solid every 15 minutes for the wellness clinics two days a week. Then two days a week, we do surgeries which are back to back.
Do you have any special events coming up?
Our Tree Lighting Ceremony, which will have to be a little different this year because of COVID-19. People buy a light for their live pet or their pet who has passed away. We have a pastor and everybody gathers with their pet and she does a blessing of the animals and then we light the tree. COVID put a stop to that. Now we’re going to try to do a virtual tree lighting.
Has demand for your services increased during the COVID-19 pandemic?
We’ve had more adopting animals because they’ve been lonely during COVID and they’re home more often. We’ve also had more people dropping off litters of kitten at people’s houses by people who don’t want to take care of their animals. We probably have 25 of those phone calls a day.
Do you work with the Knox County animal shelter?
No, we’re totally different. We get no help or money from the county or the city of any taxpayer’s money.
Are you a no-kill shelter?
No shelters are completely no-kill. If somebody brings in a cat that has been hit by a car, you may have to euthanize it. But we absolutely do not euthanize for space. We have a cat who has been with us since February.
Knox County Humane Society
400 Columbus Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050
740-392-2287
Hours:
M-F 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Clinic hours: Tuesdays and Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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