Humane Society staying open, board steps down

The Humane Society of Young County announced it will not be shutting its doors Friday as previously planned. Yesterday evening, the entire board of directors and president stepped down and named their successors.

The Humane Society had announced last Thursday they were planning on closing their doors due to lack of funding and being nearly $30,000 in debt according to former president Rhonda Bone. Since then the society has raised $5,335 on their facebook posts alone.

“I am amazed by how many people really care,” Director Hollie Larance said. “ I mean it is unreal and we’re going to make it.”

Larance said she believed the previous board was “burnt out,” had exhausted all avenues and felt they had no other options.

Larance and her staff will continue to work at the shelter. She said the shelter is nearly empty after sending animals to shelters and rescues across the state and the last batch of cats are headed to Houston on Friday. However, despite being told to stop she never stopped accepting strays and owner surrenders and will continue to do so now.

Jaclyn Burke was voted the next acting board president by her predecessors and she was tasked with finding a new board from the community and surrounding area to bring in new ideas and sustainability procedures for the shelter. Burke said she is hoping to be there at least six months to implement programs and get the shelter financially sustainable for the long term. Once those programs are in place, they will hold elections to see if the public would like a new board, Burke said.

The new board members are all going to be donating a monthly amount of money and will all be involved in the daily operations and community outreach by having members at all events.

The Humane Society currently has two fundraising events planned with Hadleigh Allen holding her 9th birthday party on Saturday at the shelter and their Riding for Rescues event on Sept. 22. The Humane Society is also taking part of the Texoma Gives fundraiser and has donate buttons on their facebook and website.

For more information see the weekend edition of The Graham Leader.