By Maegan Rocio
Staff Writer
Help can come along when it’s least expected.
Because of a $5,000 donation by an anonymous donor, the Humane Society of Central Texas can provide cost-free adoptions for 100 dogs at their upcoming Howl-A-Ween event.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Humane Society facility.
“We’re very excited. It’s definitely a step in the right direction,” said Nicole Wilson, the adoptions manager at the Humane Society. “Our goal is to move as many animals into as many homes as possible.”
Don Bland, interim executive director at the Humane Society, agreed with Wilson.
“I think it’s terrific that we have people in the community that are willing to cover the cost to get animals re-homed,” he said.
The Humane Society held its annual Wine & Food Festival on Oct. 6 to raise funds.
The contract between the city of Waco and the Humane Society of Central Texas ended when the shelter asked the city for an increase in funds to run its operations and the two parties could not reach an agreement on the amount.
Bland said the donor came forward during the Wine & Food Festival and wanted to pay for 100 dog adoptions.
Bland said the donor approached one of the board members and asked what the Humane Society’s normal adoption rates are.
Bland said after the donor heard the amount, the donor offered to pay for the 100 adoptions.
“The board member came and got me and I went and visited with the board member and the donor,” he said.
Bland said the donor’s contribution will pay for the usual rate of $50 for 100 dogs to be spayed/neutered, implanted with a microchip and vaccinated for rabies at the Howl-A-Ween event.
Bland also said 67 cat adoptions will only cost $10 each because of the previous donations given by other people.
On site microchipping will be provided at the Howl-A-Ween event.
Wilson said the generous donation will help with the Humane Society’s mission of providing animals with loving homes.
“When animals become more accessible price-wise, it makes our jobs easier,” she said.
Wilson said with the help of Humane Society sponsors Petco, PetSmart, Dogtopia and Bansiele, the Howl-A-Ween event will provide information and possible tools for members of the community to use to become knowledgeable adopters and pet owners.
“All of the sponsors want to show the community that there are options for boarding, vet care and productions,” she said. “They wanted to bring the community a whole lot of options because they don’t know where they can get information, products and boarding.”
Wilson said Build-A-Bear Workshop will also be present at the event.
“Build-A-Bear Workshop is behind our cause and will be bring out supplies to repair injured stuffed animals,” she said. “They wanted to support our cause and wanted to be present and be part of the community.
Bland said donations are still important for the Humane Society.
“It‘s going to be more important in the future because we’ll need more individual donors to help cover our costs,” he said. “We won’t have revenue from the city contract so we have to get it from donations. The public will have to support us to keep us viable.”
The Humane Society, located at 2032 Circle Road in Waco, is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Saturday. The facility opens from 1 to 7 p.m Thursday.
To contact the Humane Society, call 254-754-1454.
