More animals, inflation impact Huron Humane Society’s bottom line
ALPENA — The new Earned Sick Time Act, increase in the minimum wage, and rising prices are impacting the Huron Humane Society’s bottom line.
Last year, the Huron Humane Society provided shelter for 445 animals, of which 383 were from Alpena. That was an increase of 82 more animals compared to 2023 and added financial pressure to the shelter.
Because a large percentage of the animals come from Alpena, the shelter is asking for a $1,500 increase in the annual allocation it receives from the city government.
At a meeting on Tuesday, the Huron Humane Society gave its bi-annual update to the Alpena Municipal Council and requested an increase in funding from the city and its allocation bumped up from $22,500 to $25,000 for the year.
Animals from the city are given priority admission into the shelter because of its service contract with the city.
During the update, Mayor Cindy Johnson, who represents the council on the Huron Humane Society board, said overall the shelter took possession of 389 cats or kittens and 56 dogs or puppies.
When broken down, it equates to 327 felines and 56 canines that were sent to the shelter from the city.
Johnson said the shelter, like everyone else, has seen costs soar. She said the prices for insurance, pet food, and medical supplies have impacted the shelter’s budget. She said the looming increase in minimum wage and accrued paid sick time will also increase operational costs.
Still, Johnson said, $25,000 is a good deal because of the services the shelter provides to Alpena residents. She said the shelter doesn’t want finances to get to the point where adjustments at the shelter have to be made.
“When you total up all of the costs, everything has increased,” she said. “We don’t want to have to make a decision about whether or not we have to cut out intake of animals in order to meet our financial obligations.”
The shelter was able to find a large majority of the animals new homes. Last year, 405 of the animals were adopted, while 18 others were returned to their owners.
The average stay at the shelter for an animal was 37 days before being adopted.
Last year there were also improvements to the building itself, which improves the quality of life for the animals and makes operations more efficient.
Several new doors were installed and new flooring in the dog room was laid at the shelter. A fresh coat of paint was also applied to sections of the facility, including all the ceilings in the shelter. Johnson said a new computer system was added and a new and improved website will be online and operational soon.
As always, the shelter has current needs and is seeking supplies to help care for the animals. In its most recent newsletter, the shelter says it needs laundry detergent, dryer sheets, bleach, dish soap, chicken pate, canned cat and kitten food, paper towels, and disinfectant wipes. These items and other pet materials can be dropped off at the shelter, as can cash donations.
People can also sign up to receive newsletters with operational updates and featured animals available for adoption on the shelter’s website.
Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.