Growing up on a dairy farm in Spiceland, Melinda Wright developed a love for animals at an early age. She continues to help other family members show dairy cattle at the Indiana State Fair each year.

Her love for animals also has led her to become an advocate for them. She serves in a volunteer capacity as president of the Hancock County Humane Society, a non-profit animal shelter that currently specializes in cats.

Recently, the shelter was abuzz with activity. Some of the shelter’s current population of 16 cats pounced playfully about the facility. Others, mainly kittens that still must be watched carefully, stayed in their cages. Several of the cats found new homes, making it a successful day.

Wright took time to answer several questions about her work with the Hancock County Humane Society.

Question: What is the mission of the Hancock County Humane Society?

Answer: The Hancock County Humane Society is a no-kill, nonprofit animal shelter. The shelter has been in existence since 1977. Originally, volunteers fostered animals in their homes. It has always been staffed completely by volunteers and funded entirely through donations from the local community. It is our goal to find permanent, safe and loving homes for the pets in our care.

Q: How many animals per month, on average, would you tend to shelter and adopt out?

A: The economy has affected our adoption rate. This summer, our average adoption rate has been three animals per month. The average for the year has been five per month. Last year, we averaged about 10 animals per month.

Unfortunately, the number of homeless animals has increased, and our shelter, in addition to other area shelters, is at capacity.

Q: Of the stray animals you shelter, which do you tend to get most often — dogs or cats?

A: We are only able to house cats and kittens at our shelter. Since we are staffed only by volunteers, we have limited hours of operation (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays; 5 to 8 p.m., second Fridays; and other hours by appointment), which means we do not have sufficient people to care for dogs.

Nor does our current shelter, located at 214 E. Main St., Greenfield, have suitable facilities (like dog runs) to house dogs. We do have volunteers willing to foster dogs and work with area shelters and rescue groups, such as Frenzy Dog Rescue in New Palestine, to house dogs.

Our long-term goal would be to acquire adequate funding to build a new shelter and hire paid staff, which would allow us to house cats and dogs and be open daily.

Q: Have you ever sheltered animals besides dogs and cats?

A: We have not sheltered other animals, but we do maintain a list of volunteers and rescue groups that will shelter other types of animals, such as exotic birds and small pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Q: Are you involved in encouraging people to spay and neuter animals?

A: Yes. We promote community education and awareness about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spaying and neutering.

It cannot be stressed enough the importance of early spay/neuter of a pet. We simply cannot keep up with the rate of overpopulation in cats and dogs on our own and must have the support of the entire community if we are ever to eliminate this problem.

Many people who have indoor animals may not think it is important to spay and neuter. Then their pet accidentally gets out and becomes pregnant. Also, stray and homeless animals add to the unwanted pet population.

There are numerous low-cost spay and neuter programs in the area. Anyone needing information about these programs should contact the Humane Society for more information.

Q: How can people get involved in helping the cause of homeless animals?

A: First, spay and neuter your pets. If you are unable to keep your pet for any reason, contact your local humane society or rescue group. Do not just turn an animal loose and think it will be able to survive.

Volunteer with your local shelter. We always need volunteers to assist with cleaning, socializing animals, fundraising and working at events. Contribute to your local shelter or rescue group. We need donations of pet food, cat litter, bleach, trash bags, paper towels, cat toys and cat carriers.

Our shelter is funded through donations, and we recycle paper and aluminum cans to pay the bills. Drop off your newspapers and cans at bins located at our shelter.

And most importantly, adopt a pet!

Q: How can people contact the Humane Society?

A: Contact information for the shelter is:

Hancock County Humane Society

214 E. Main St.

Greenfield, IN 46140

(317) 462-5404

hancohumane@yahoo.com

http://hancockhumane.petfinder.com