Humane society seeking support as shelter remains at capacity

As spring makes way to summer the Humane Society of Young County continues to see an influx of both dogs and cats at the area shelter and is seeking community support.

The shelter located at 120 Craig St. in Graham is a private nonprofit organization that contracts with cities of Graham, Olney and Newcastle as well as Young County. 

HSYC Director Shelby Brogdon said the shelter has been working on adoptions but the intake has been consistent.

“We have steadily been at or over capacity pretty much since spring last year. I know that we are about to hit kitten season. We’re not quite there yet,” she said. “...We still get a lot of calls for owner surrenders. We just beg people to think before they take a dog or a cat in.”

The shelter staff and volunteers are hard at work seeking those to adopt animals by making trips to PetSmart in Wichita Falls and through local adoption events.

The organization partnered with Quality Carpets for a second year Friday, March 28 to host the annual Paw Event. Shelter staff and volunteers had dogs and cats available for adoption with raffle prize giveaways.

The shelter director said while sometimes they might not receive an adoption at these events, they provide awareness for the organization and its animals.

“I think (through) events like this we can get out and let people see the kinds of dogs and cats that we work with that we get all the time (and show that) they are good family pets, that they’re not rejects,” Brogdon said. “There are people that have a mentality that if they’re in the shelter there is something wrong with them. Most of the time, they’re there through no fault of their own.”

During these events the shelter can also receive important items used every day such as enrichment for both dogs and cats. These items include chew toys for dogs or scratch pads for cats.

“We have so many longterm dogs in the shelter right now that have been there for a long time. For them, especially, I think the enrichment stuff is really important because it keeps them from getting kennel crazy. ...It gives them something to do and when we have a variety of things for them to do it’s even better,” Brogdon said.

The shelter director, staff and volunteers work to educate the community on being a responsible pet owner by spaying and neutering. All of those who work at the shelter see it as a passion to connect these animals with new homes.

“I’ve been with the shelter in some form or fashion since high school. We were just talking the other day about how it’s really not just a job. It’s more like a way of life. It’s part of who we are,” Brogdon said.

For more information about the shelter, adoptable animals or to donate to the organization, visit humanesociety-yc.org.

“Our webpage has our Venmo and PayPal. A lot of the residents around the county like to... donate (via) cash or check out to us. We take cash and donations in any way possible,” Brogdon said.

HSYC needs

General use, cleaning items
• Fabuloso
• Odoban disinfectant
• Simple Green cleaner
• Trash bags
• Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
• Disinfectant wipes and Rescue wipes

Cat room, enrichment needs
• Puppy pads
• Kitty litter
• Dry cat food of any brand
• Cardboard scratching boards
• Natural pine pelletized bedding

Dog kennel, enrichment needs
• Small treats
• Plain yogurt
• Pill pockets
• Peanut butter
• Can cheese spray
• Canned plain pumpkin
• Tough toys for large dogs
• Various chews/antlers/bone (no rawhide)

Other needed items
• Paper towels 
• Toilet paper
• Dawn dish soap 
• Bottled water, Gatorade and snacks for staff breakroom
• Monetary donations for vet bills/medications and utilities
• Gift cards from Walmart, Tractor Supply, Amazon or gas cards for driving animals to rescues/appointments