Humane Society of Hobart reviewing contracts
NWI Times
September 29, 2015
September 29, 2015
HOBART | The Humane Society of Hobart’s board is in the midst of reviewing contracts it has in place to provide services to three local municipalities.
Through agreements with Hobart, Lake Station and Portage, the organization provides animal control field services and animal housing to the municipalities, Chris Skrenka, Humane Society of Hobart board member, said Monday during the group's meeting.
He said the board is reviewing all of its animal control and housing contracts to determine the role the Humane Society of Hobart will have in the community in the future.
“At this point we feel it is important to continue as an open-admission facility,” Skrenka said. “We will take into consideration the input of our outstanding supporters, trained and licensed animal welfare individuals and national organizations who understand our responsibilities to the community when discussing future direction and operating policy."
Skrenka has explained the Hobart society established its agreement with Portage more than a decade ago, and it was initially intended to be on a temporary basis.
Monday’s board meeting also served as an opportunity to gather feedback from the community about the organization.
Some have asked the Humane Society of Hobart to be more transparent.
In particular, Hobart resident Cate Amador asked for the organization’s performance numbers and protocol.
Amador said “there’s big grants out there” that can assist in animal control efforts, but figures, including euthanasia numbers from the organization, are needed in those applications.
Board member Laura Labadie said euthanasia is a “sensitive” topic, and many animal organizations don’t provide those figures.
She explained the Humane Society of Hobart doesn’t take euthanasia lightly, and at least two employees are involved in decisions regarding euthanasia. She also said the organization on many occasions contacts area veterinarians before making such decisions.
Skrenka also explained the Humane Society of Hobart is an open-admission animal shelter, but it isn’t an animal rescue. He said the organization “doesn’t have the luxury to pick and choose” animals it accepts at the facility, and there are situations in which animals brought to the facility are sick and injured.
“We’re usually the last stop for a lot of people,” Skrenka said.
Euthanasia figures for the Humane Society of Hobart also could be different from other local animal shelters because the organization also performs owner-requested euthanasia.
There also were several at Monday’s meeting supporting the Hobart society.
Hobart resident Bob Krebes was among those who said he attended the session to speak in favor of the organization.
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