With one month remaining in the Richmond County Humane Society’s fiscal year, the shelter’s operational budget is dangerously low.

“The Humane Society of Richmond County animal shelter needs your help now more than ever,” said Candy Bacon, director.

The Humane Society serves as the county’s only public animal shelter and has passed state inspection for the past seven years including on March 31 this year.

“While our total intake of animals is less than it has been in prior years, we are now receiving an average of 20 or more kittens and puppies a day,” said Bacon.

She attributes the decline to the organization’s aggressive spay and neuter programs.

The shelter offers discounted spay/neuter programs, private low-cost euthanasia and cremation services.

“The main thing people can do is spay and neuter their pets,” said Elizabeth Griffis, shelter manager.

Shelter operating costs, which include utilities, mortgage, insurance, feed and litter, required medications and wages runs $18,000 to $22,000 a month depending on the time of year.

The shelter has seven paid employees with an average wage of less than $8 an hour. They receive no benefits such as sick time, vacation leave or health insurance.

“The best part is seeing the animals get placed into good homes,” said Griffis.

She explained that if funds were cut, it could mean a variety of complications including not being able to house as many animals.

Since opening in 2002, the animal shelter has housed 34,333 dogs and cats.

An additional 175 plus roosters, chickens, hamsters, rabbits, squirrels, birds, ferrets and a pig have been sheltered.

Through the outreach education program, the Humane Society supplies 4,000 Richmond County Kindergarten through fourth graders with KIND News, a monthly publication put out by the Humane Society of the United States.

In the past month, more than 1,000 children have received bite prevention instruction.

Bacon said the shelter is operating on a bare bones budget.

Shelter operating hours and people-to-animal personnel are at their minimum requirement without compromising essential services.

“The shelter budget is bare bones,” said Bacon. “Donations, or kitten and puppy food, cat litter, laundry and dishwasher detergent as well as bleach would be greatly appreciated.”

The animal shelter is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m.

Love gifts may be mailed to P.O. Box 2064, Rockingham, NC 28380. American Express cardholders can make a monetary donation through www.justgive.org. Individuals or businesses can sponsor one of the shelter’s pets at www.petfinder.com, zip code 28379 or make donations to hsrc@carolina.rr.com using Paypal. Call 895-0335 for more information.

Cameron Quick can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 15 or by e-mail at cquick@yourdailyjournal.com