 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
City considers meeting full shelter funding request
By Jebb Johnston
Staff Writer
Budget discussion continued Thursday with the Corinth Board of Mayor and Aldermen moving toward possible full funding of the Corinth-Alcorn Humane Society's fiscal 2009-2010 budget request and a possible pay increase for workers on the lower end of the scale.
Nothing is yet finalized as the board works toward a budget that will go to a public hearing at 5 p.m. Tuesday and will get final approval Sept. 15.
A meeting to discuss shelter funding and operations was held Wednesday with members of the board of directors of the shelter; three city aldermen; the mayor, city attorney and city clerk; and two county supervisors.
Ward 1 Alderman Joe Vann is the most ardent supporter of allocating $75,000 to the shelter, while most of the rest of the board expressed reservations.
Vann said the only alternative is that the city does the "dog pound" business itself at a greater cost ‹ an option no one on the board appears to want.
"I don't think we have a choice but to start funding them and see what kind of actions they take out there," said Mayor Jerry Latch.
The informal consensus was that the board would allocate $75,000 and evaluate how things are going at the shelter several months into the fiscal year, with the possibility of amending the allocation at that time.
The county has proposed allocating $25,000 for the shelter rather than the requested $75,000.
The shelter has just received $25,000 each from the city and county to keep it afloat through the end of September.
Aldermen who participated in Wednesday's meeting with the shelter board said the humane society hopes to generate more donations and expects substantial savings on euthanasia through the use of a vet tech.
The board is also considering a pay adjustment for some of the city's lowest-paid employees.
Police Chief David Lancaster said a boost to pay at the lower end of the scale could help his department with retention. The department has replaced a dozen officers this year and replaced about 17 last year.
The board also received a late funding request from Alcorn County Emergency Management for $40,000.
County approves emergency shelter funding;
intends to cut its fiscal budget
Published Thursday, August 27
By Brant Sappington
Staff Writer
The Alcorn County Board of Supervisors has approved an emergency funding request from the Corinth-Alcorn County Humane Society, but proposed a much smaller increase in funding than requested by the group for the new fiscal year.
Supervisors voted 4-1 to provide $25,000 to the organization to help them stay afloat through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
Society officials have said they faced the prospect of closing the animal shelter if they did not receive $50,000 in additional funding to get them through the end of the year.
The Corinth Board of Aldermen has also approved a $25,000 emergency appropriation for the humane society.
Second District Supervisor Jeff Patterson cast the lone dissenting vote on the motion to approve the emergency funding. He said he is uncomfortable continuing to provide additional money to the group without having seen a plan for how they are going to deal with the problems which created the financial shortfall.
“I don’t know how you keep throwing money at it and fix it,” said Patterson.
A proposed county budget for the new fiscal year contains only a small increase in funding for the shelter. The budget, which will be voted on following a public hearing on Sept. 8, would increase county funding for the organization to $25,000. If approved, this would mark a $4,118 boost over last year’s appropriation but fall far short of the $75,000 requested by the humane society for the new year.
Corinth aldermen have not finalized budget plans but the society’s request for the same amount from the city drew intense discussion during a budget planning meeting on Tuesday.
The humane society is a private, non-profit organization which is overseen by a privately appointed board of directors and is not operated or directed by the city or county but receives funding from both municipalities in exchange for housing stray and unwanted animals.
City mulls shelter and museum funding
Published Wednesday, August 26
By Jebb Johnston
Staff Writer
The Corinth-Alcorn Humane Society's request for a large funding increase came to the fore Tuesday as the Board of Aldermen began to plug in proposed allocations for supported agencies.
The board reached no consensus in the budget work session on where it's going with the shelter's request for $75,000 from the city, which last year gave the organization $27,500. The humane society has also requested $75,000 from the county.
While Ward 1 Alderman Joe Vann said the city should either take over the shelter or meet the full funding request, Alderman at Large Mike Hopkins said he wants the city to have some input on the board if the full funding request is provided.
Ward 2 Alderman Bill Plaxico had questions about the shelter's expenses.
"I don't understand how it took such a jump," he said.
Mayor Jerry Latch said the issue needs more discussion with the county and humane society board.
"That's not a city-county function other than them taking care of our animals," he said.
The mayor said he is opposed to the city getting "back in the per se dog pound business."
City Clerk Vickie Roach noted that the city's options are limited legally. The city does not have oversight of shelter operations and allocates funding for a service that the shelter provides to the city.
The preliminary numbers put on paper Tuesday would hold most organizations at the same level of funding they received last year. Another question mark that emerged is direction for the Crossroads Museum, which the city last year shifted to the tourism office on the grounds that it is a tourism function.
Vann said he is in favor of restoring funding of $12,750 for the museum. He said it's the city's museum and the city should pay the overhead.
"For a museum of that quality, and we're arguing $12,750? I'm missing something," he said.
Plaxico, who pushed for the shift to the tourism office funding the museum last year, said his position is unchanged.
Clarification of the city's legal authority to fund the museum will be sought before a final decision is made.
Roach cautioned that any increases in the budget will affect the amount of reserve funds available as the city moves into the new fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The city is projected to begin the year with about $3.9 million on hand, enough to fund about 3.5 months of operations.
"We were working toward six months before the downturn in the economy," said Latch. "We're mighty fortunate to have three or four months. A lot of cities are having to borrow money."
Hopkins said he is in favor of less equipment purchases this year if it will make possible more than the proposed 2.5 percent pay increase for city employees.
Love for animals spurs local girl to volunteer
Published Saturday, August 15
By L.A. Story
Staff Writer
It is a love for animals that has made one area youth spend hours working hard in the summer heat at the local animal shelter.
She is young, but 11-year-old Alcorn County resident, Lauren McCreless, said she has always known she wanted to be a veterinarian because of her love of animals. Her mother agreed.
“I don’t even remember a time with she [Lauren] didn’t want to be a vet,” said Kim McCreless.
Lauren McCreless said she began working at the Corinth-Alcorn County Humane Society’s Animal Shelter last spring, just before school let out for the summer. She said she would come every Saturday and take dogs out and play with them.
However, her grandmother, Joyce Price, said the real work began after school was out in May. After that, Lauren McCreless was at the animal shelter every day she could be there.
“I have wanted to be a vet since I was in kindergarten. I love animals and wanted to help them,” said McCreless. The youth went on to note that she takes the animals out and gets them used to people. Soon, the staff at the shelter began to let her do more.
Animal shelter staff member, Summer Teter, recalled the youngster wanted to help and would begin to do whatever the animals needed, once she was allowed to do it. The shelter employee had great things to say about Lauren McCreless.
“Any time she comes, she does not have to be told what needs to be done. She just goes in and does it,” said Teter. “She is just so good with the dogs and she gives us her ideas. She’s also good to report it if she sees something that might be wrong. We don’t have any older people that come and work as hard as Lauren does. I think what impresses me the most is her devotion to the animals. She wants to be a vet when she grows up and this is a great experience for her.”
McCreless said she makes sure the animals have food and water, she washes dishes and helps the staff members give the animals medicine. Her grandmother noted the youngster also bathes animals and cleans out the pens.
“Scooping poop doesn’t bother me,” said Lauren McCreless, with a big smile.
Now that school is back in, the youth said she is sad because she can only volunteer on Saturdays.
Lauren McCreless’s father, Dewayne McCreless, and grandmother, said she is a very busy young lady. She is heavily involved with the local 4-H Club and recently took the bronze medal in Camp Perry, Ohio, at the National Junior Olympics for shooting. She competes with the air rifle and air pistol is a member of the Crossroads Sport Shooting Association. Her shooting coach is Nathan Hendrix.
“The 4-H keeps her busy most of the time,” said Dewayne McCreless. The future veterinarian said she also likes to play basketball, sing, draw and paint. In fact, she uses some of her artistic talents to help animals - selling her artwork to raise money for the shelter. It appears Lauren McCreless’s animal shelter work extends home as she has adopted - with the approval of her parents - a large 11-month-old dog named, “Pony.” The dog is a large breed mix - probably Pyrenees and German Shepherd, according to his owner.
“At this point I think his name should be ‘Horse’ instead of ‘Pony,’” joked Kim McCreless. It is also noted the family has a Pomeranian named “Odie.”
With her love for animals, and a natural instinct for helping them, Lauren McCreless wanted to make the public aware of ways they can help animals at the shelter. In fact, she took the time to list the ways individually:
• Adopt-A-Cage Program - (662) 284-9787.
• Volunteer time - walk dogs, wash bowls, feed animals, etc.
• Donate supplies - food, metal food bowls, antibiotic ointment, baby blankets, retractable leashes, collars, bleach, cleaning supplies, flea spray, flea collars, Benadryl, flea shampoo and any other item anyone thinks an animal might need.
• Monetary donations - these are always appreciated to help with veterinary bills, medicine and extra items needed for the animals.
• Foster families - they are always needed for the animals that require extra love - this would include animals that are taking medicine around the clock, babies without mothers that need to be bottle-fed, etc.
Finally, Lauren McCreless wrote her final bit of advice: “The most important way to help save a life is to have your pet spayed or neutered. If your pet has already been spayed or neutered, a donation of any amount (even pennies) to the shelter, will help pay for shelter animals to be spayed or neutered, which will extend the animal’s life.
“Last but not least ... before you go out and purchase a pet, consider adopting a shelter animal. There is always so many to choose from. They will be so grateful to you, make the best addition to your family, and love you unconditionally because you saved their life.”
County receives budget request from shelter
Published Saturday, August 8
By Brant Sappington
Staff Writer
The Alcorn County Board of Supervisors met Friday ... the board received budget request for the upcoming 2009-2010 fiscal year from the Corinth Alcorn County Humane Society.
The humane society is seeking $75,000 from the county for the new fiscal year, a significant increase over last year’s allocation of $20,882.
Supervisors will meet again at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17. The board’s regular meetings will now begin at 9 a.m.
Emergency funding approved for shelter
Published Friday, August 7
By Jebb Johnston
Staff Writer
The Corinth Board of Aldermen gave approval to the emergency funding request by the Corinth-Alcorn Humane Society in a second open session late Tuesday.
The board approved $25,000 for the shelter contingent upon the Board of Supervisors taking the same action.
Earlier in the evening, the board tabled the request, saying the city needed to check into the county's plans on the shelter's request for $25,000 from both the city and county.
After a lengthy executive session, the board went back into open session and revisited the topic. City Clerk Vickie Roach said the board was concerned about leaving the issue unresolved until the board's next meeting and decided to go ahead and approve the funding.
The humane society says it must have $50,000 to get through Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year, or face the prospect of closing. Roach said the city legally must provide the money as matching funds to the county's funding.
Humane Society brings lawsuit against former director
Published Thursday, August 6
By L.A. Story
Staff Writer
The Corinth-Alcorn County Humane Society, Inc. alleges misuse of funds and asks to be awarded $160,000 in a lawsuit filed against former animal shelter director Michael Boston.
In a complaint filed last August with the Alcorn County Chancery Court, the organization alleges that an audit performed on the documentation they have available reveals that at least $160,000 paid out of the animal shelter's funds by Boston "are not supported by appropriate documentation."
The lawsuit alleges that Boston and a local veterinarian formed and operated a business to transport animals from the shelter to adopting families while Boston served as director.
According to the complaint, the CACHS said Boston had exclusive use and control of the computers with the accounting information, as well as the checkbook, all the bank records, and all documents required for accounting and tax purposes. The organization alleges that Boston "secreted" the information and data and "refuses" to provide it to them. As the plaintiff, the CACHS also alleges that Boston resigned his position as executive director of the shelter when he was called upon to account for all shelter revenue and provide documentation to substantiate expenditures.
According to the complaint, the CACHS is asking that the court require Boston to make a full accounting for all funds he received during his time as animal shelter director. The CACHS asks to be awarded $160,000 that was determined by the previous audit. The complaint allowed for an adjustment of the amount if Boston can make an account for any of the funds in question.
In an answer filed in September of last year, Michael Boston disputed the reason for his resignation as stated by the CACHS. He also denied all other allegations made by the CACHS.
Boston's answer asked the court that the cause be dismissed with all costs associated being taxed to the CACHS.
Other actions in association with the lawsuit included a subpoena on behalf of CACHS ordering Boston to produce the books, papers, documents and other "tangible things" in association with the shelter. This action was followed by a "motion for leave to amend answer" by Boston.
The case is still pending.
Boston resigned his position as director of the animal shelter in July 2008.
Animal shelter manager fired
Published Thursday, August 6
By L.A. Story
Staff Writer
No official reason has been given by the Corinth/Alcorn County Humane Society's Board of Directors as to why the animal shelter's new manager has been fired after just over a week on the job.
The CACHS Animal Shelter Manager, Cathy Strait, said she was fired Wednesday morning by a board member. The new manager had only been on the job for just under a week and a half.
The CACHS board president, Lenoir Stanley, confirmed the dismissal, but offered nothing further.
"She [Strait] is no longer at the shelter," said Stanley. "This is a personnel matter that I don't feel at liberty to discuss."
The shelter has been scrutinized more closely in recent weeks after former manager Keith Mays revealed the extreme financial crisis and overcrowding problems the facility was undergoing. During Strait's initial interview ‹ upon being newly hired ‹ she had said she was glad for Mays' honesty and reiterated the facts Mays had presented to the public.
Now, Strait indicates she has many questions for the board members after her brief time at the shelter. She also said she feels the community at large needs to look to the board for answers.
"I think the people who have a problem with the Humane Society should call the board of directors and ask them their questions," said Strait. Strait said she was not given a specific reason for her dismissal and she leaves the shelter with many questions and concerns.
"So many things are not being done properly," Strait said.
During her brief time at the shelter, Strait said she saw nine animals die because the shelter did not have a system in place to get the animals to the vet.
"I can't blame the staff for that .. they do their best. It's a fact of shelter life, but that seems like a lot. I don't blame the staff at all, or the vet that comes to take care of the animals. Nor do I blame Keith Mays ‹ he's done a wonderful job. It's just there's no order there ... it's just a lot of chaos," Strait said.
If there is chaos, Strait pointed out that the animals are the ones who will suffer because of it.
Supervisors mull funding for
financially troubled shelter
Published Tuesday, August 4
By Brant Sappington
Staff Writer
As the Corinth-Alcorn Humane Society continues to deal with money woes, officials made a plea to the Alcorn County Board of Supervisors to help them keep the animal shelter open through the end of the current fiscal year.
Humane society board member Greg Moore told supervisors the shelter is essentially out of money and needs at least $50,000 to continue operating through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.
“We need an emergency cash infusion,” said Moore.
The shelter is seeking $25,000 each from the county and city. Moore met with the Corinth Board of Aldermen at their most recent meeting and the issue is again on the agenda for tonight’s regular city board meeting.
The county and city both provide funds to assist in the operation of the shelter which is overseen by a private board of directors and operates as an independent non-profit organization.
Moore said the shelter is currently over $20,000 behind on its bills and it takes approximately $15,000 per month to keep the shelter operating. He noted they have seen a major decrease in donations from the public and fees paid for adoptions, which he attributes to the ongoing economic downturn.
Moore told supervisors the group is in the process of preparing its budget request for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, which it plans to present to the board at a future meeting.
Supervisors expressed their desire to support the shelter, but said they would have to carefully consider where the funds will come from.
Fifth District Supervisor Jimmy Tate Waldon noted there are two separate issues that must be considered. The first is providing funds to keep the shelter operating through the end of the current fiscal year and the other is determining how best to help the shelter keep its doors open in the new fiscal year beginning in October.
Board President Gary Ross said he is a strong supporter of the shelter and wants to do what they can to help keep it going.
Third District Supervisor Jeff Rencher said he feels they should help the shelter and he supports its work, but believes the board of supervisors and city aldermen need to get together and determine how they are going to keep the facility operating.
“If you’re going to keep the shelter, you’re going to have to fund it,” he said.
He said he believes there’s a way to make it work and the board will be looking into how it can help.
The board took the request for emergency funding under advisement and took no action on the request during Monday’s meeting.
New shelter manager addresses recent concerns
Published Sunday, July 26
By L.A. Story
Staff Writer
Monday morning will see the beginning of many changes for the Corinth/Alcorn County Humane Society’s animal shelter as a new manager takes the shelter reigns.
According to CACHS shelter manager Keith Mays, the local Humane Society Board of Directors voted Thursday to hire Cathy Strait as the new shelter manager. Strait will officially take the reins Monday.
Strait, along with her husband, David Strait, moved to Corinth almost four years ago from Illinois. David Strait was transferred and works as Operations Manager at Caterpillar.
Cathy Strait has a vast amount of experience working with animal shelters, as she said noted she has spent about 20 years working with shelters in Illinois, South Carolina and Tennessee. She spent the last three years working with the animal shelter in McNairy County, Tenn.
Plus, she added with a grin, she has 10 animals of her own. After about a month’s break upon leaving the McNairy County shelter, Strait said she felt the urge to begin volunteering again — a need that brought her to the CACHS shelter.
“When I got here and starting walking around to get to know the shelter and the animals, I saw a bigger need than just volunteering. They need help here,” said Strait. “They are badly underfunded and understaffed.”
Because she had been working so heavily with the McNairy County shelter, Strait said she — like many Corinth/Alcorn County residents — was unaware of the shelter’s needs. Just over a week ago, shelter manager Keith Mays recently went public with a plea for funds and assistance. He also released some shocking statistics about the number of animals that the shelter had to euthanize, as well as revealing the enormous cost of caring for the animals.
Strait addressed some of the issues she is taking on as the new manager. “At first, I was a little shocked at the number of animals the shelter has had to put down, but I don’t think the community realizes that people drop their animals off here ... or how frequentit is,” Strait said. “But, in a half hour I was here one day, when they were making arrangements for the other animals, 40 more dogs were dropped off ... in a half hour.”
A complete reorganization, as well as a plea for community help, will be on Strait’s agenda, along with the Humane Society Board and Keith Mays, who will be staying on to work for the shelter. Strait noted she was glad that Mays had revealed the troubles the shelter was facing.
“I think a lot of good people in Corinth didn’t know there was a problem and I’m glad Keith let the information out. Now, we can get the community support we need to make this shelter run,” said Strait.
Mays said it was Strait’s animal shelter experience that led him to ask her if she would be interested in the position and to make the recommendation for the board to hire her.
“I felt like we needed a fresh perspective,” Mays explained. “She has the right kind of drive and personality and she has more experience in the animal shelter work than I have. I feel like I was there at the right time and I filled in the gap where I was supposed to and get it going in the direction it should be ... but animals ... that’s where her heart is and she really wants to make this thing go.”
Mays’ thoughts regarding a new direction and his enthusiasm for Strait’s drive for the shelter were echoed by Lenoir Stanley, CACHS president.
“We are really excited about Cathy coming on board. She has a lot of shelter experience and she is vivacious and has more energy than I ever thought about having,” said Stanley. “This is a very stressful time for our shelter and all the shelters in our area. I’ve spoken to several other shelters and they are being bombarded with animals just as we are. We look forward to anything Cathy can do to make this manageable.”
It appears to be a tall order that is being expected of Strait, as the new manager, however, she is optimistic and has already begun some policy changes.
In fact, one policy change will directly and immediately affect the intake of animals. Strait noted that, due to the shelter’s reorganization, they will only have dogs dropped off on Wednesdays and Thursdays, by appointment only. Additionally, the intake fee has been raised to $25.
The need for appointments gives the shelter time to prepare for new animals, Strait explained.
“I have big dreams for this shelter,” said Strait.
Those dreams include exploring other avenues which may help extend the lives of many animals, giving them a better chance of finding an adoptive home, Strait said. Some of her plans also include improving the Internet aspect of the shelter, as well as networking with rescue operations that serve specific breeds and socializing the dogs. Strait appeared to want to explore several options. She said she feels that Mays had gone “above and beyond the call of duty” in his capacity and is grateful for his assistance as she takes over the management aspect, allowing him time to see to other details like the almost constant construction and maintenance projects underway.
Along that vein, Strait decided to begin with a plea for monetary donations, volunteers and any professionals that may be able to donate a couple of hours of labor — such as plumbers and electricians. Also, of the many air conditioners at the shelter, only one works. Strait is asking anyone who fixes air conditioners, or has used air conditioners they would like to donate, to contact the shelter.
“We will absolutely love anyone who can help,” said Strait, with a bright smile.
The days ahead will require a lot of work and community support and Strait said everybody is welcome to come by and talk to her. She expressed a desire for better communication, making rumors a thing of the past.
“It’s a new day at the animal shelter,” said Strait. “Monday begins a new day.”
Due to reorganization, the public may want to call ahead and check on
animal drop-off policies before bringing a new animal to the shelter.
For questions, information, or to make appointments to drop off animals, the CACHS may be reached via telephone at (662) 284-9787. Those wishing to tour the shelter may come by during operating hours. The shelter is located at 3825 Proper Street in Corinth.
Humane Society seeks
emergency funding
Published Thursday, July 23
By Jebb Johnston
Staff Writer
The Corinth-Alcorn Humane Society told Corinth aldermen on Tuesday that emergency funding is needed to keep the shelter afloat for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Greg Moore, a board member of the shelter, said money is running out.
"It's so bad that if we don't have an emergency cash infusion of $50,000, the shelter won't exist," he said.
The shelter is essentially asking for $25,000 each from the city and county.
The city and county governments annually allocate funds to the shelter to provide a service, but the governments do not oversee its operations.
The $50,000 would get the shelter through the couple of months remaining in fiscal 2009. Moore said it costs $182,000 to fund a year of operations at the shelter.
"I guess because of economic conditions, adoptions have plummeted," said Moore. "I thought we could stretch it out until the end of the year, but the economy ran out on us."
A question about the cost of operations from Ward 1 Alderman Joe Vann led to the discussion being taken into executive session. Attorney Phil Hinton said the organization is pursuing litigation against "a former employee" and that the city may want to be involved in the litigation.
No action was taken regarding the humane society in the closed session.
In the open session, the board appeared open to the request.
Mayor Jerry Latch said he remembers the situation before the animal shelter opened, and "this is a lot better."
In other business:
- In executive session, the board approved the promotion of John Wood to the position of deputy chief for the Corinth Fire Department. He follows Greg Hotz, who retired earlier this year. Wood has been employed with the department for 19 years.
- Aldermen gave approval for Magnolia Regional Health Center to purchase the North Harper Imaging Center. The county has also approved the hospital's purchase of the business.
- Ward 2 Alderman Bill Plaxico suggested that Street Commissioner Jim Bynum be given a dedicated cell phone so that he can be reached for animal control situations.
- Aldermen approved the purchase of nine bulletproof vests for the police department.
- As the board approved a payment of the downtown sidewalks project for handicap accessibility, aldermen were informed that the project is 31 percent complete.
Shelter Struggle: Society
faces funding crisis
Published Saturday, July 18
By L.A. Story
Staff Writer
The local animal shelter's future is a grim one according to Corinth/Alcorn County Humane Society's animal shelter manager Keith Mays.
Mays asked for help as he presented some enlightening, but discouraging, figures during a presentation Thursday at the Corinth Rotary Club.
"The shelter is in dire straits," said Mays. "If we don't get help, we may not exist much longer."
According to Mays, in March the shelter had 220 animals, took in 197, adopted out only 36 and had to euthanize 143 at a cost of $2,145. In April, the shelter had 186 animals, took in 150, adopted out 76 and euthanized 124 for a cost of $1,860. In May, the shelter had 164 animals, took in 332, adopted out 65 and euthanized 193 at cost of $2,895.
June and July, Mays noted, were not any better. To date, Mays said the shelter has spent $14,145 to euthanize 943 animals. This money does not include the cost of food or medicines.
The shelter can only hold 200 cats and dogs comfortably and they had 217 at the end of June, Mays noted. Mays said there are several misconceptions about the shelter and one of them is that it is county and city funded. This is not true. According to Mays, the aforementioned entities support the shelter, but it is a private non-profit organization. The money provided by the city and county does not fully fund the shelter.
Another misconception, the manager explained, is that some people seem to feel the shelter is a nice little pet store atmosphere. Shelter workers do what they can to make the animals' lives comfortable as possible, but life in a shelter is not a happy one, Mays pointed out.
Too many people dropping off animals on the side of the road is the main source of the problem. With many areas becoming less rural, Mays noted that only a few animals can hunt, find food and take care of themselves. Puppies, kittens and injured animals cannot survive without help.
Mays was passionate in expressing his feelings about owners who neglect to take responsibility for their animals.
"We would have no stray problem if people would spay and neuter their animals," said Mays. "And, they are not good neighbors - the people who drop off animals on someone else."
The shelter takes in the strays for a minimal cost of $10 each. They give the animals basic medicines, because that is all they can afford, he said. They feed and water the animals and keep them safe, but there are only two ways out of the shelter - adoption or death.
The Corinth/Alcorn County animal shelter is under funded and desperately needs regular donations or the shelter may not exist much longer, Mays said. He went on to encourage all Rotary members present to help with the shelter and to encourage others to help as well.
The animal shelter is located at 3825 Proper Street, in Corinth. For those who would like to find out more ways to help the animal shelter, call 662-284-9787. The shelter's website can be viewed at www.cachs.org.
Humane Society set to make property improvements
Published Saturday, June 20, 2009
By L.A. Story
Staff Writer
Making life better for the animals who come through their doors, the Corinth/Alcorn County Humane Society is in the process of making physical improvements to the property.
Work has begun in the first of two immediate improvements to the property, according to the shelter’s manager, Keith Mays. The most obvious of the projects that visitors will see will be improved parking space and new concrete runs for the dogs on the east side of the building.
Previous visitors will see that the area where dog runs were located on the building’s east side have been cleared off — and the fences removed — to make way for concrete to be poured. The most major improvement the renovation will bring about is sanitation. Mays pointed out that the gravel runs were impossible to keep thoroughly clean and the scent was embedded within the soil beneath.
“With the dirt and gravel ... that smell just doesn’t come out of the ground,” said Mays. He went on to add that the setup of the new runs will also be conducive to improved parking. The first improvement is scheduled to be completed by the end of this month.
The next improvement, according to Mays, will be clearing out the back west side of the building — which is currently an unorganized eyesore— and making use of it more efficiently as tractor and equipment storage. He said this improvement should be completed by the end of July. Mays began working as manager of the local animal shelter just a few months ago, but worked with the shelter on a part-time basis since last October. In a previous interview, the manager had said that improvements would be an ongoing process whenever funds were available.
Along with the improvements and day to day operations of the shelter, Mays recently attended a Humane Society school in Huntsville, Ala. He said he learned some interesting facts and ideas which — in an ideal world — would make life better for the dogs and cats at the shelter. One idea he hopes to incorporate one day is to do away with the cages for the cats and create a “colony room” for them to roam.
The manager said he has many ideas in mind, but it will take time and money to complete. He also would like to continue to educate the public on responsible pet ownership.
Despite donations for the improvements to the shelter, they are still badly underfunded in regards to their day to day operations. He noted that donations of damaged bags of food from local businesses like Walmart, Kmart and Kroger sometimes are what get them by from week to week.
Mays said he will keep the public posted on the status of the improvements.
Anyone would like to tour the facility, or find out more ways to help the animal shelter, may call 662-284-9787.
Author to donate proceeds to shelter
Published Tuesday, June 16
By L.A. Story
Staff Writer
It appears to have been an instinct rather than a pre-meditated mission that has led Daniel Taylor, online columnist and author of the newly released book "Critter Chronicles," to be the keeper of 24 animals at his home in the Wenasoga community.
Taylor furthers his unplanned mission by sharing the proceeds from the sale of "Critter Chronicles" with the Corinth/Alcorn County Humane Society.
Taylor, 54, a native Corinthian, will be the first to admit he is as surprised as anyone at the turn his life has taken with the animals he has rescued and the furry family he has accrued.
"My family has always had animals ... dogs and cats ... but I spent most of my [adult] life without dogs and cats," Taylor recalled. "A few years ago, I moved back to Corinth and I had a neighbor who had trouble keeping up with all her animals and I started helping her out and in the process I sort of wound up with a few of my own."
However, helping out a neighbor is not the only way Taylor collected his new friends. The author admits that a few of his rescues found their way into his heart and his home. To date, he has 11 dogs and 13 cats that have found a happy home with him on his 16-acre homestead.
Taylor also notes he has not kept all of the animals he has rescued - his book "chronicles" many touching animal rescue tales - and he encourages people to take animals they find, don't want or cannot take care of, to the local animal shelter. He has taken most of the animals he has rescued to the shelter.
"They are just what they say they are - a shelter. They are a humane society. The whole point is that the animal shelter is not a bad place,"said Taylor. "I have been impressed with how the shelter was able to take the animals in and how many they do manage to adopt out."
The book, "Critter Chronicles," evolved from Taylor's featured, weekly online column of the same title found at the Daily Corinthian's website - www.dailycorinthian.com. The column itself came about after Taylor began telling his animal stories on an online pet owners chat group.
Professionally, Taylor is a computer programer, and he noted that he has his "nose stuck to a computer the majority of the time." It was through computer time that he found an online chat room for pet owners. He said he began reading stories and then posted a few of his own stories, after people began asking him how he got so many animals. The feedback from his work was positive.
Taylor said he wanted to use his stories to help encourage people to support the Corinth/Alcorn County Humane Society and he e-mailed Zack Steen, the Daily Corinthian web administrator, about possibly running his stories every once in a while in support of the shelter. Steen took a look at Taylor's work and decided it needed to be a weekly feature.
"Daniel basically e-mailed me and told me about what he was doing and why and I thought it was pretty unique and most of the stories were true ... or at least true to his situation," Steen explained. "I think he is an exceptionally good writer and I began running it [Critter Chronicles] as a web exclusive. Soon, I started getting e-mails every week about how much people enjoyed reading his stories.
"The feedback was not just from local people, but people from all around the country ... those stories are getting out and really touching people's lives. I guess, me being an animal lover, if I'd went into this without being an animal lover myself ... then I might not have seen the potential, but I think this book will really help his name get known and more importantly, it will help the Humane Society get some much needed funds."
The local Humane Society manager Keith Mays agreed, saying that the local shelter is badly underfunded.
The collection "Critter Chronicles," is an quick read set in separate stories that can easily be read at short intervals or at one sitting.
Taylor's writing style is engaging - filled with sensory detail that lends a healthy dose of realism and serves to bring the reader into his world - and he tells the stories with the flare of a natural story teller, often saving a big declaration at the end of a story. His own personal tales are interlaced with tales of little known facts of shelter animals that became famous. Such renowned animals as - Morris the Cat, Ol' Yeller and Benji. Currently, Taylor's "Critter Chronicles" can be found at Spice of Life Books and Gifts, located at Harper Square, and Downtown Books, located in downtown Corinth.
Get more info & buy book here