Humane Society makes headway in first year

Charley is just one animal helped by the Clay County Humane Society during the last year. [Click to enlarge]

It has been one year since the Clay County Humane Society became incorporated. The organization's mission statement is clear -- to make a difference in the lives of animals and in the community.

And while there are many struggles and the the organization is still short of cash and volunteers, there have been some amazing success stories. Many suffering neglected animals have been restored to good health and many lonely animals have been placed in loving homes.

The Clay County Humane Society is a charitable 501(c)(3) organization promoting responsible pet ownership.

Remington flown by Pilots' n Paws to Sarasota, Fla., where he met his new family. [Click to enlarge]

"The CCHS is dedicated to creating a world where our relationships with animals is guided by compassion," said director Rebecca Ascoles. "Our goal is to help prevent animal cruelty and place abandoned, adoptable, healthy pets in loving new homes. We cherish our animal companions for their unconditional affection and acceptance. We seek a truly humane society in which animals are respected for their intrinsic value and where the human-animal bond is strengthened and seen."

Ascoles says the last year has been filled with ups and downs.

"We have taken several steps forward and a few steps back. Our membership has grown and we have many dedicated and faithful volunteers working hard every day, raising funds and caring for the animals in need. With the help of the city of Rector, we have been able to get pets off the streets of this county and into homes or transferred to other shelters in the country.

Yoplait joined Remington on the flight to Sarasota, Fla. where he was also united with his new family. [Click to enlarge]

"We have received numerous donations from the citizens of Clay County and support from other areas of the country as well. Jenn and Tim of California have made several generous donations to cover costly vet care and have built and paid for our upcoming .org web address. Dr. Ginger Seagraves, DVM, of Corning has given us discounts and write-offs too numerous to mention, and Dr. Phil Daffron, DVM, in Piggott has been beside us every step of the way and has offered us support and wisdom in some hard situations.

"Many local businesses from all of our cities and towns have generously donated items for our fund-raising events. Our local newspapers -- the Clay County Democrat, Piggott Times and Corning Publishing have all stepped in with pet of the week ads and media attention for all of our events. YHTV from Dexter, Mo., has helped us out with ads and story spots as well.

"In Febuary we linked up with Petfinder.com so our pets can be seen nationwide. We have sent pets by car, truck and even plane to other shelters in the country. Daisy, a black lab mix, was sent to the St. Charles, Mo., Humane Society, Where she has become a local celebrity with help from our friends at Pilots and Paws.

Meet Radar one of the many horses rescued by CCHS. Radar was blind and with owners that did not understand how to care for him. He was starving to death before being rescued. [Click to enlarge]

"Daisy is now educating people on proper pet ownership, responsibility and the importance of preventative health care. On arrival in Missouri, Daisy was found positive for heartworm. The pilot, his wife and their friend petitioned the Monsanto Company, and together they paid for her treatment so that she can go on to educate and save lives.

"With the help of the Clay County Sheriff's Department, we are able to respond the numerous complaint calls we get each day," Ascoles continued. "With their assistance, CCHS was able to seize nine starving horses from St. Francis. We had several local horse men and women assist us on this dangerous rescue, and with assistance from Dr. Seagraves, we were able to get them all into foster homes.

"The horses, with much love and help, have all survived and have found their new homes. With abuse and complaint calls, stray pets picked up by caring citizens and owners that no longer feel that they can keep their pets, we have received 11 horses, 119 dogs and 40 cats. These numbers do not reflect the number of animals our volunteers have picked up and placed on their own or the ones local citizens have picked up and assisted us in finding new homes while keeping them safe in their own homes.

Radar took a trip to a horse rescue, and with their love and help, he is now shiny and happy. [Click to enlarge]

"We have had some exciting and wonderful achievements, but we have had some devastating moments, too. Due to the lack of compassion and responsibility, many animals have been euthanized. Forty-eight lives ended this year because of abuse, neglect, illness and -- saddest of all -- a lack of space. We simply do not have enough homes to house all the homeless pets of Clay County.

"We continue to seek funding for a facility to house more animals in a proper environment so that we can continue to help with the complaints and concerns of our citizens," Ascoles said. "We have such limited resources that we are not able to yet care for some of the rising problems in our community; we still have no facility for the thousands of homeless cats and kittens that inhabit Clay County. We receive about 110 calls each month asking for assistance with an unwanted or abused pet. We will continue to answer these calls and help to the best of our abilities.

"We thank all of our volunteers, members and donors for their never-ending help and support," Ascoles continued. "We thank all those citizens who have saved a stray and all those who have adopted unwanted pets into their homes and families. It cannot go unspoken that here in Clay County, our population of unwanted, homeless pets is higher than some major U.S. cities. It is imperative that people spay and neuter their pets and provide them with adequate healthcare, including preventative care for deadly heartworm disease. Pet ownership is a 15 to 20 year commitment. The lives of these animals have significance as any other life. Dogs have long been man's best friend, and we need to return that friendship."

Over the next year, the Clay County Humane Society will continue to seek funding for a new facility and start building the framework for a low-cost spay/neuter program.

"There is a sad end for many pets here in Clay County," stressed Ascoles. "These are your cute little puppies that you just had to have and you know we can find them a home. These are your 'I wanted my dog to have just one litter,' these are your 'I thought we could sell them,' these are your 'I don't want to neuter my dog,' these are your 'I just can't bear to have her spayed,' these are your 'we are moving and can't take him,' these are your 'she just got so big.' These are your excuses.

"CCHS cannot stress enough the importance of spaying and neutering your pet," Ascoles said. "We have a 35 percent euthanasia rate. We are able to place many pets, but the sad reality is that many will die as a result of simply not finding a home. This problem is huge, and here in our county, our numbers are staggering. We have too many unsterilized pets, breeders and puppy mills in Clay County, Ark., and we need to stop uncontrolled breeding.

"We will continue to grow and build, saving lives one-by-one and humanely ending the suffering of the ones we cannot save," said Ascoles. "We offer our sincerest gratitude to all those who have helped us, and we extend our hands to anyone who would like to help. Our problem here is huge, and we need all hands on deck. As of today, every man, woman and child would need to own five pets each to place every animal in U.S. shelters. Please join us in our battle to make life better for our county's homeless pets and the humans they affect."

The Clay County Humane Society does not receive any funding from the county or cities. It operates only through donations and with the help of unpaid volunteers. Those who want more information on helping CCHS may call 870-598-0404 or email: claycountyhumanesociety@yahoo.com.

Donations may be mailed to: P.O. Box 582, Piggott, AR 72454. Those who wish may visit the Clay County Humane Society on the web at www.myspace.com/claycountyhs.