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By Sophia Sousa

For the Clemmons Courier

The Humane Society of Davie County, which has been open for 26 years, is facing financial constraints, potentially leading to the organization shutting down on at the end of the month. HSDC’s mission is to prevent cruelty and suffering among dogs and cats through rescue, adoption, and education needs help and support. 

HSDC has been operating the for last seven years using its savings. However, those savings are running low. They are now seeking to raise $50,000 through sponsorships and donations to keep their doors open for more animals to receive care. 

The HSDC is a nonprofit organization, functioning independently without government support and merely relying on donations from generous individuals. It doesn’t have a marketing team and only has three individuals working there. One individual works full time while two others work part-time. The remainder of the staff is solely volunteers. The organization relies on the help of volunteers to accomplish saving the animals in Davie and surrounding counties.  

HSDC observed that since COVID-19, donations have been down. Due to this, the organization doesn’t receive enough donations as it takes for it to take care of the animals that it treats. It often receives injured animals, including moms with litters that often have eye and respiratory infections. HSDC then takes the animals to the vet and that costs money as well, specifically with vet care becoming gradually higher priced.

Located at the HSDC building, the organization offers services such as a spray and neutering clinic, a free community pet food pantry, and has a rescue partner in Maryland. HSDC offers reasonable spay/neuter clinics each month and additionally provides transport to and from the clinic. Spaying and neutering are imperative as it decreases the number of unwanted pets that end up in shelters or euthanized every year. Spaying and neutering can also prevent serious health problems animals may face. The community pet food pantry supports low-income families in need by providing materials for their pets. HSDC goes to their partner in Maryland once a month and are able to bring adoptable animals to their clinic for adoptions. 

Last year, HSDC spayed and neutered 499 community cats and dogs in the low-cost clinic, transferred 514 cats and dogs to rescue partners, served 240 families and 2249 animals through the use of the pet food pantry, 148 animals were placed in their forever homes, and 237 homeless cats and dogs were placed into foster homes for adoptions.

In May, 33 animals were spayed/neutered, 29 were transported to partner rescues, 316 animals were fed through the food pantry and 37 families were helped through the pantry, 10 animals were placed in their forever homes, and 36 homeless cats and dogs were placed into foster homes for adoptions. 

Without the help of HDSC last year, 514 cats and dogs would have been put to death for lack of space in other shelters. Without the low-cost clinic, there will be an uncontrolled breeding, resulting in more homeless animals and without the food pantry, cats and dogs will be famished, impacting their health and wellbeing. 

If HDSC was to close down, the Davie County Shelter would likely see a large intake uptick, especially with animals reproducing. There would be no room for all those animals and their health could deteriorate. 

The race to raise $50,000 is to not only keep the organization running, but for the clinic and food pantry and many families, animals, and dogs rely on to keep them healthy. These services are not only for residents in Davie County, but also for other counties that are nearby, and they get these services cheaper than the average cost.

On June 1, HSDC held a yard sale, selling household goods, collectibles, toys and pet items and accepting donations as well. HSDC will also be having an online Facebook auction that will run from June 23-30. The goal for this event is to have 50 items up for auction, such as furniture, dinners, goat yoga, etc. 

Jennifer McBride, a volunteer, a foster for cats and the vice-president for board of directors for the humane society has been a part of this organization for three years discussed the amount of support HDSC has received since their announcement of their predicament. “The outpouring of support we have had has been amazing,” she said. “We are so grateful for everybody who has donated and who have shared are posts. It has been very touching and amazing to see.”

Support is needed to prevent the termination of these vital services HSDC has been providing for the pet community. Without help, the organization will close down, and lives will be lost. 

As of June 7, the HSDC has raised $21,221.

Individuals who would like to donate can do so on HSDC’s website, Venmo @HumaneSocietyDavieCouty or PayPal. Checks can additionally be mailed to 162 Webb Way, Advance, NC 27006 or dropped off during operating hours.