Society: Thanks for help

To the editor:
The Jay County Humane Society had a great year in 2012, and we are looking forward to 2013. The lost, abandoned and/or abused animals kept our shelter very full the entire year. We did find a lot of “forever” homes for some of our shelter friends.  
Some of the events we had last year were meet and greets, parades, the fair, collecting donations at Votaw and Meridian Streets, our inaugural Chili Cook-off, inaugural Bike Ride, dog washes and visiting schools.  We also teamed with Jay County Animal Control for an Adopt-a-Thon.
About two years ago, we implemented the Hope Clinic Program.  The result of this program is that all of our adopted friends are spayed/neu-tered prior to them leaving the shelter.  
This program is being used by the Jay County Humane Society shelter, and is open to the community. Hope Clinic sends its truck to Portland on the second Tuesday of each month.  All shelter and public pets are sent Tuesday morning and returned Wednesday morning.   
Hope Clinic employs retired veterinarians from the Ft. Wayne area.  This program is for the people of Jay County to help with the over population of cats and dogs. To learn more, please call the shelter.
Another program that the Jay County Humane Society has available, is micro-chipping. Small chips are inserted under the skin of the dog and/or cat to help with reconnecting the owners and their pets. Most, if not all, local veterinarians have access to scanning equipment that can read the microchips. The microchip will be registered with a company and have the pet owner’s name and contact information. With this, a pet does not remain lost and away from their family. The Jay County Humane Shelter is now beginning to microchip all adopted cats or dogs before they leave the shelter. This is for the safety of the animal.
The most exciting program the Jay County Humane Society implemented last year was for the future of the shelter.  We have partnered with Raymond James and Associates and set up an account that can accept donations for a new shelter in the future. We know we cannot do this overnight, but now that this account is open, the community can donate toward the future of the animals that need our help. To find out more about this account, please call Raymond James and speak to Annette, Lori or Laura.
 In January 2013, we had our annual meeting and have elected a new group of officers — Julia Ashman, president; Sharon Van Steenis, vice-president; Judy Zearbaugh, treasurer; and Kathy Carpenter, secretary.  This group of officers is excited about 2013 and will guide our county into the future.     
I want to thank all of the board of directors, members and volunteers in all that they do for the Jay County Humane Society. The love and dedication of these people just continues to show that the people of this area care about the animals in every way. All that is really needed are “forever” homes for the shelter and animal control friends and to stop the overpopulation of un-wanted animals.   
If you want to volunteer, become a member and/or donate to our shelter please call us at 260-726-6339 or contact a board member. We are open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
We love to introduce you to our animal friends and our friends love to show you the love they have to give to your family and homes. Also, don’t forget to visit animal control; they have friends that are looking for homes.
Jay County, thank you for all that you do to support us.  Also, I want to thank The Portland Foundation for granting us the funds that help us continue our work.  Another big thank you goes to Mayor Geesaman and the city workers who replaced our inadequate water drain with a larger one.    
Rita Lutes
Jay County
Humane Society

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