Wayne County Humane Society opens new surgical center

Wayne County Humane Society Inc., a nonprofit local organization, had its ribbon cutting to open the new surgical facility after a two-year campaign to raise funds to replace a small 42-year-old trailer that was ready for the scrap yard.

The new facility was made possible by the leadership team and over 120 additional donors. The leadership donors include Ralph B. & Grace G. Jones Foundation, Kathy and Greg Long, Robert E. and Nancy Bogner, The Yogesh Garg Family, John Spicer and Cherie Hart-Spicer, Pat and Patty Neyhart, and Janet Welty.

The new surgery center will provide a modern environment for necessary procedures on the more than 1,200 animals — canines, felines, rabbits, even guinea pigs — that come through the doors. The surgical center will support the mission to provide veterinary care services and uphold the mission to only use euthanasia as a last resort based on the health of the creature.

The surgery center also will assist in controlling overpopulation as the WCHS holds a couple of Trap, Neuter and Release campaigns annually in which individuals throughout the county participate by trapping felines from feral colonies, delivering them to the WCHS for a neutering operation in which local veterinarian associates participate and then releasing them after they have been neutered.

The Wayne County Humane Society is a nonprofit organization with a fully volunteer board. WCHS is dependent on the generosity of volunteers to reduce expenses and donations from the community that help with day-to-day costs and special projects like the new surgery center.

For those who have an interest in volunteering, there are a variety of opportunities that range from laundry detail to dog walking and cat sitting. The organization receives no county funding, and donations are tax-deductible. Its next big fundraiser will be at the Wayne County Fairgrounds Event Center on July 24, Christmas in July.

For more information on donating time, money and/or items, visit the WCHS at www.wchs.org/.