Society seeks financial help

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Animal Friends Humane Society is seeking a $5,000 donation from the Morgan County Commission to help further its mission of “Helping animals—educating People.”
The organization’s president, Patti Fowler, appealed to the commission for its help at a meeting on April 13. She said Animal Friends has been assured of a $5,000 grant from the Two Mauds Foundation providing that an equal amount is appropriated by a local governing body.
While the commission declined to give immediate consideration to the request, it was pointed out that it would be put on the table for review when next year’s budget hearings begin.
Animal Friends main focus is providing programming and information, which encourages respect for all creatures and being a responsible pet owner, Fowler said. Its four services are: low cost spay/neuter program; animals program for Meals on Wheels recipients; humane education for third grade students and; shelter animals’ medical fund.
In 2009, these services resulted in assistance for the neutering of 314 pets, more than 1,000 bags of dog food, cat food and cat litter for low income pet owners, distribution of Kind News, a publication of the United States Humane Society, to 949 third grade students in the Morgan County and Hartselle school systems and needed medical care for sheltered animals.
The organization had donations totaling $15,418 and its board members, staff and volunteers donated 1,520 hours to animal care.