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Highland's SPCA celebrates 10 years
BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
MONTEREY - The Highland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The organization incorporated in Highland County on Oct. 22, 1997.
The Rev. Frances Nunn was instrumental in organizing the group, says long-time treasurer and founding member Karen Brower.
Brower said local veterinarian Dr. Joe Malcolm, and residents Judy Skeen, and Margy Rexrode were among the first board members.
"In the last 10 years we have cared for 1,200-plus cats and dogs," said Brower. "We have spayed and neutered 2,000-plus animals for free.
"We have a contract with the county to run the animal shelter at no cost to the county. Last year it cost Highland SPCA almost $30,000 to run the shelter. Over the past 10 years we have saved the county over $200,000."
The shelter is mandated by state law and has strict standards of animal care, feeding and hygiene that must be followed. The state inspects the facility twice a year to check for compliance with state requirements.
The Highland SPCA owns the historic 1795 Landmark House in Monterey where it operates its benefit store, The Attic.
"There is no way we could do that without The Attic," said Brower. "The benefit shop opened nine years ago. I'm very grateful to all the donors and volunteers that make it successful."
The store has a corps of eight volunteers, plus a few others that substitute on occasion to keep the store operating six days a week. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday. But this weekend for the Hands and Harvest festival, the store will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Highland SPCA had 110 members as of last year, and runs an animal adoption service."We care for unwanted dogs and cats, strays, and help people with too many pets," said Brower. "The SPCA has investigated reports of horses and cattle and sheep that have allegedly not been cared for."
The SPCA isn't always serious. Occasionally, a joyful reunion, special pet, or unusual adoption reminds members why they are so passionate about saving pets. "We had an old beagle named Bruno," Brower recalls. "He only had one eye. We really didn't think there was much chance of getting him adopted. Then an older gentleman with one eye came by the shelter and adopted him."
Full-time employed, but parttime paid Harriett Manzione said she remembered a deaf dog named Little Pearl was adopted by a blind woman.
The annual SPCA sweater sale fund-raiser is also held during the Hands and Harvest upstairs at Highland County Crafts. The event started seven years ago, and the sale has more than 1,000 sweaters available this year.
Brower remembers last year during the sweater sale, a lady that came to look at sweaters saw a picture of her lost pet on the SPCA display sign. "That's my dog," she said. But someone had already adopted it. When informed of the situation, the new owner happily returned the dog to its original mistress.
The shelter is also the foster home to a number of stray and unwanted cats. A particularly unhappy situation is the number of feral cats that breed unchecked in the county, said Brower. "We rescued 26 cats from the Blue Grass Dumpster," said Brower.
Once rescued, the cats are neutered or spayed and made ready for adoption.
"We were looking at a cat in Highland County while we were living in Bath County," said Monterey resident Trish Pray. "The SPCA had it for eight months and was looking for a home for it. We thought he was a docile cat. He was named Connie. He became the wildest cat we ever saw because with us, he had freedom to run and play. But he's sweet, too. He's eight years old now and called Willy."
"Somebody dumped a box of kittens at the Blue Grass Dumpster," Brower added. "Mother cat - a permanent resident of the shelter - took those cats. Mama Milly has been at the shelter for three years."
Other shelter cats have also spent a long time waiting for adoption. Simba was there two and a half years; Miss Hannah was there for more than a year. "We keep them as long as we have the room," said Brower. As for the cost of keeping the animals, she added, "I always feel the money will come."
The shelter works with county animal control officer Garry Smith, who brings strays to the shelter. The county pays for electricity, water and provides the building. But the SPCA pays for everything in the building - employees, food, and litter. The SPCA, at its own expense, added a two-run addition three years ago to bring the facility up to state standards.
"There's a lot more to running a shelter than people realize," said Brower. "State law requires more now than it did 10 years ago."
The SPCA works with the county health department when animals need to be quarantined for suspected rabies. The SPCA also works with the courts. In cases of animal cruelty, the shelter keeps the pets until the court decides their fate.
Smith picks up strays and traps cats and dogs as needed, but the SPCA does some trapping of it's own. "We trap cats at Blue Grass because of the possible health hazard from rabies," said Brower.
The SPCA also bought the animal control officer some Hav-a- Heart traps, saving the county more money and ensuring strays caught by animal control are done in a humane manner.
The most difficult task the SPCA takes on is that of euthanizing unwanted animals. "Some animals are just not adoptable and have to be euthanized," said Brower. "They are better off in Dog Heaven than being mistreated here on earth."
Euthanization is the last resort, however. "We do everything humanly possible to find a home for every adoptable animal," said Brower. The SPCA publishes a message every week in The Recorder to get the word out about animals needing homes.
"Personally, I think, what would the world be like without animals,?" said Brower. "They give us so much love and ask nothing in return. The SPCA is something I can do. God put me here and this is what He wants me to do. I was a 4-H leader for a long time. I felt if the kids could learn to take care of animals, they would care more about their fellow man. Animal cruelty is one of the first signs of other types of abuse, such as spousal abuse."
"I believe in helping those who can't help themselves," added Manzione.
The SPCA needs help, though, to carry out its mission to save orphaned and abandoned dogs and cats. "Volunteers are always needed at The Attic," said Brower.
Donations of everything except clothes, electronics, large furniture and appliances are accepted. "We're an upscale benefit shop," said Brower. "We have a collection of unique items, amazing jewelry, china and collectibles."
Chances are, an investment in the local SPCA will pay off when it comes time to find a new pet.
"In other shelters it may cost up to $100 to adopt a dog or cat," said Brower. "But here adoption is free and we provide the spay or neuter free of charge. In addition, every resident of Highland County is entitled to one free spay or neuter per year for their dog or cat."
Brower laughed as she remembered calls she received asking if the sterilization program applied to humans. "No, it doesn't," she said. That's one problem the SPCA can't handle.
The SPCA has started a new program this year. "We will supply pet food for pets of people receiving Meals on Wheels," said Brower.
There are a number of people one can talk to for more information on the Highland SPCA - president is Ann Babcock, Brower is treasurer, Marianne Wilson is vice president, and Carroll Furr is secretary. Ernie and Cris Elliott are on the board of directors, as is retired veterinarian Dr. Richard Robinson. Dr. Joe Malcolm remains an advisor to the organization.
Manzione is the shelter manager. The phone number there is (540) 468-3405.
However, people who have strays on their property are asked to notify the county animal control officer via the sheriff's office.
If a pet is lost, call the shelter; it might be there, said Brower.
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