Conn aiding humane society

Jay County Humane Society has a new leader in its midst.

Linda Conn recently joined the organization as a consultant as it constructs a new facility and contracts with the county for animal control.

She plans to help the humane society develop its volunteer, adoption and rescue programs, develop staff into professional animal control officers and lend her assistance as needed. She’s also expecting to help train the organization’s next director in the future.

Conn has 22 years of experience in animal shelters. Her portfolio includes working with Henry County Humane Society as it underwent renovations, an expansion and the addition of its own low-cost veterinary clinic, all while providing animal control for Henry County. She also worked as a certified dog groomer in New Castle.

“I’ve spent a lot of time learning, a lot of time studying,” said Conn, who has multiple certifications relating to animal control and shelter management, including those through the National Animal Control Association. “(Working with animals) just kind of gets in your blood, you know.”

Jay County Humane Society has been fundraising for the last few years in order to create a new headquarters, a plan that started after the organization took over county animal control in late 2020.

Jay County officials agreed to contribute $275,000 toward the project priced at about $1.2 million. (That includes land acquisition, construction and other fees.)

The humane society purchased the former Fastenal building along Indiana 67 on the western edge of Portland last year. Muhlenkamp Construction has started working on the facility, which is expected to house at least 40 dogs and 100 or more cats. (Jay County Humane Society’s current building on Shadeland Avenue only has 12 dog kennels and a small area for cat cages.) Wooden framework has been installed inside the building, mapping out an outline of the rooms, garage and kennels.

Renovations are expected to be completed sometime in October.

“This building will last 15 or 20 years before it will need another dime put in it once we’ve completed this process,” said Conn. “The animals will have what is necessary. You see, as we know better, we will do better, and with animal control and animal sheltering constantly evolving, we do know better now.”

She pointed out separate air systems for dogs, cats and humans, as well as an intake and medical room, are necessary to prevent the spread of disease.

“When an animal comes to us, it’s covered in fur, and that’s about all we see,” she said. “We certainly can’t see the viruses they may be carrying in, and contaminating others while they’re here. So we’ll have areas to separate and to prevent such things from happening in this building. Saving lives, that’s what it’s about.”

Conn noted the organization is still fundraising in hopes of bringing in another $100,000 to help pay for equipment and finishing touches at the new building.

She referenced famous words spoken by Gandhi: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

“Jay County will have a lot of kudos coming to them when they finish this,” she said. “It’s going to be one of the best shelters I’ve ever been in.”