COMMUNITY Q & A
Jane Gapen has been the executive director of the Greene County Humane Society for the past 20 years. She recently agreed to do a “Community Q and A” feature for the Messenger to talk about the Society and what it does to protect animals and find them adoptive homes.
Below is a short write-up she penned that precedes the Q and A:
“The Humane Society of Greene County is like ‘The Little Engine That Could,’ the story we all know as children.
Twenty-five years ago, we started as a small rural shelter with little resources and with more animals being surrendered to us than our first tiny building could hold in 1988. But we believed we could make a difference. The challenges of changing public awareness, changing laws, finding resources, and finding the heart to face the hard work every day was like trying to climb a mountain. We knew we were insufficient for the task, but we chose to ignore this and believe anyway.
We began taking baby steps by learning the requirements of a successful shelter. We found within our communities people who, like us, would dare to believe in spite of the harsh realities facing a small rural shelter and an animal overpopulation problem. We built an impressive board of directors We put together a lasting staff and excellent veterinary relationships. We created successful fund raising events, and we built lasting relationships in Greene County and throughout the state.
This good fortune comes in only one way, through hard work and with dedicated, forward thinking individuals. We moved into a new shelter in August 2004 and built up our adoption program.
Historically, small rural humane societies in other areas have little resources and have more animals than they can handle. Greene County is different – our humane society is successful in many ways. All of our adoptable animals are placed in responsible homes We have a thriving fund raising team and volunteers who have been with us for years.
Homeless and abused animals in Greene County are more fortunate than they know. They can have a second chance.
I have always been interested in biology and worked with an Amazon River Dolphin at the Pittsburgh zoo for six years. Sometimes I felt like I was the one being trained by the dolphin. For most of my adult life my occupation has been preventing cruelty to animals by investigating and prosecuting offenders.”
Gapen answered several questions for the “Community Q & A” feature.
Q: How many cats and dogs come into the Humane Society each year and how many are eventually adopted?
A: We have been accepting animals since 1988, Each year differs – from 1,200 to 1,600 per year dogs and cats combined.
Q: What is the Society’s current annual budget and how are you supported?
A: $250,000. We’re supported by donations, community support, and fund raising.
Q: What events is the humane society planning for the rest of 2014?
A: Cash Bash, a fundraiser at the Greene County Fairgrounds from 1 to 7 p.m. Oct 19. Tickets are $20. Prizes run from $300 to $1,000. At 7 p.m. a $3,000 prize is awarded as determined by the daily number on the Pennsylvania Lottery.
Q: Tell us a little about the annual rabies clinic.
A: It’s existed for 20 years and provides low cost vaccinations and dewormer medication for dogs and cats.
Q: What should someone do if they witness animal abuse?
A: Call a police officer and/or call the humane society and speak to a humane police officer. If so inclined, they can take photos as a witness.
Q: Explain the difference between a dog warden and one of your Society officers.
A: Humane police officers are trained and must work through a humane society. They investigate and prosecute animal cruelty and abuse, and many volunteer their time.
The Pennsylvania state dog warden is employed by the state through the Department of Agriculture. Their duties include collecting stray dogs, checking owned dogs for license and rabies inoculations and investigating livestock kills.
Q: Do you advocate having pets spayed and neutered and does the Society help with that?
A: Yes, it is state law that any animals that are adopted from a humane society be spayed or neutered. The Humane Society spays/neuters before most animals are adopted.
Q: How does someone go about adopting one of your pets?
A: By visiting us, speaking with an adoption counselor and completing an application.