Humane society supported through changes
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — The Butler County Humane Society received multiple $100 donations Monday, from people commemorating what would have been the late actress Betty White’s 100th birthday.
Amy Fifield, the humane society’s director of community relations, said the nonprofit set a $20,000 fundraising goal for the “Betty White Challenge” on social media, and the community helped surpass it throughout the week.
“We need money for veterinary care, we do spay and neutering, we microchip all of our animals when they come in,” Fifield said. “We run 100% on donations from the public; there is no local funding source for us.”
The challenge called for people to give to their local animal aid organizations in memory of White, an animal lover, because many, including the humane society, rely on donations to function.
Fifield said the local community has always been supportive of the humane society. It has several longtime volunteers who help the staff maintain the shelter in Renfrew, performing tasks such as cleaning the kennel and animal areas, feeding the dogs and cats and washing their food dishes.
On Jan. 10, the humane society closed to the public because some staff members came down with COVID-19, according to Fifield. During this time, only certain volunteers are working alongside the staff, and adoptions are being scheduled for people who submit applications.
Fifield said adoptions have remained consistent, even with the humane society’s application-based system.
“We have had a lot of people do general applications,” Fifield said. “You can fall in love with a picture, but that doesn't mean they are the best fit. This way, we can help find an adoption based on an animal's personality, based on if a family has children and what their situation is.”
Fifield said many people apply to volunteer at the humane society, and although it can currently only put a few to work at a time, applications are still open online.
Volunteers may get to work with their favorite animal at the shelter, 1015 Evans City Road.
“Some people like to work with cats only, we have some who work with dogs, some who come help us clean,” Fifield said. “We have to make sure we are caring for our animals first and foremost.”
