Columbia County Cancels Contract with Columbia Humane Society
By Columbia Humane Society Board of Directors and Executive Director
November 28, 2017
St. Helens, OR – Columbia Humane Society’s mission is to assist the community in the successful re-homing and training of adoptable animals. However, effective January 1, 2018, the Columbia Humane Society (CHS) will no longer be managing the welfare of stray, neglected, and abused dogs, or licensing dogs within Columbia County due to the County’s cancellation of our contract.
The Holsheimer Lamar Animal shelter was created in 1995 as a joint venture between CHS and Columbia County. The funding for the building was supplied by a CHS donor, and the land was supplied by Columbia County. For the past four years, at the County’s request, it has been CHS’ pleasure to provide medical care, food, enrichment, and shelter to our county’s animals until they could be reconnected with their owners; sadly, that portion of the shelter program will again be managed by the Sheriff’s department and Animal Control.
The effects of the contract cancellation as of January 1, 2018:
– Reduced office hours (CHS will only be open to the public Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday, Noon – 5:00 p.m.)
– Viewings and adoptions by appointment only
– Loss of three staff positions
– Loss of fourteen indoor kennels and eight outdoor kennels, approximately one third of our previous capacity
– Loss of one third of our operating budget
– All strays collected by the county will remain in county custody
– After three to five days any animals in county custody (with few exceptions) will be offered to adoption agencies (without remuneration), or euthanized
– CHS will no longer be involved with housing or caring for strays
– County will not have set office hours to recover stray pets, please contact the Animal Control Officer or the Sheriff’s Office to make arrangements
– Photos of found dogs will be on the County’s Facebook page or posted at their office
The amazing staff and volunteers at CHS are committed to continuing to serve you and your pets to the best of their ability. Our current, ongoing programs are: Low-cost Vaccination Clinics, Socialization Therapy, Senior Dog Adoptions, Foster & Hospice Care, and Kennel Enrichment for all dogs and cats. Beginning Monday, December 4, 2017, the Warm A Dog (WAD) program will begin. This is a joint venture between the Columbia Humane Society (CHS) and Community Action Team (CAT) to provide safe shelter for homeless person’s pets while they are seeking shelter from the cold in the community warming center.
If your dog wanders off, please be quick in contacting the Sheriff’s office or Animal Control as your pet’s time may be short and at risk.
Contact
To learn more, please contact:
Columbia Humane Society, 503-397-4353, 2084 Oregon St., PO Box 845, St. Helens, OR 97051
Lisa Beggio, Executive Director, CHS
lisa.beggio@columbiahumane.org
503-369-7643
Leonard Sword, Board of Directors Chair
leonard.sword@columbiahumane.org
612-810-1278
Lori Furman, Board of Directors Vice Chair
lori.furman@columbiahumane.org
971-222-3061