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5:52pm

Why?

Why does the Humane Society of Henderson Kentucky deserve a make over? There are over seventy reasons that can be seen there every day. They have names like Spot, Buddy, Keesha, Demi, Denny, Caton and Jasmine – they are special dogs and cats - and they need our help.

Why do animals in Henderson Kentucky deserve a shelter make-over more than other shelters? I don’t necessarily think Henderson’s shelter is more deserving – after all, we are all in the business of humanely preserving the lives of pets that are temporarily homeless; however, I do feel Henderson’s Humane Society has done a great deal to earn such an honor. In years past, the animal shelter in Henderson, Kentucky was not a place you would want your lost pet to end up at, and it was not a place where someone would go to find a pet to join their family. Today, the shelter is a place filled with people – staff and volunteers – who fight many obstacles to see that every animal that crosses its threshold is treated with compassion, dignity, and, most of all, love.

The staff and volunteers of the HSHC works tirelessly to care for - and find homes for - a never ending stream of dogs and cats. A lack of spay an neuter laws in our area means that for every animal successfully placed into a loving home, another – if not two or three – replace it in the ranks of the shelter homeless. Still, instead of throwing up our hands and giving up, we thank those who help rescue our dear friends, then turn to embrace those frightened animals who – at no fault of their own – become part of the millions of homeless, unwanted pets that populate shelters in our country.

The obstacles we face are many. Our facility is old and it needs constant maintenance that we struggle to finance. Hot water is a rare luxury and we suffer from a variety of waste-plumbing problems from time to time. Older lighting, an ancient heating and air conditioning system, worn-out kennels and questionable plumbing place limits on the numbers of animals we can shelter. These problems also provide challenges for us to overcome in the care of these animals that we love so much. Even in the face of these mighty challenges, two things remain true and constant: the animals we care for remain happy and loving and those who provide care for them do so with the same degree of unconditional love given them by these animals.

Our shelter has become a place for learning. Children and adults come to the shelter to volunteer each week. The young learn compassion and caring while the adults rediscover the peace and joy that can only be experienced through interaction with a dog or a cat.

The Humane Society of Henderson County Kentucky has grown as a member of the civic community. While offering volunteer opportunities that not only help the shelter but help Henderson’s citizens through animal education, animal health clinics and spay/neuter services, the HSHC has increased its participation in local activities such as local business celebrations and Henderson’s spring social event, the Henderson Tri-Fest.

The Humane Society of Henderson County, Kentucky is an animal shelter like many others. Like so many shelters, at times there are not enough supplies, there may not be enough room and there is never enough money. But despite the obstacles and all that there is not enough of, love is the one thing we have plenty of. Regardless of the outcome of this contest, our mission to provide the homeless animals of Henderson, Kentucky with compassionate care, dignity, and love will never change – nor will my commitment to that mission. Still, it is our homeless animal friends who deserve the shelter make-over and any blessing bestowed by God on these wonderful creatures will help them to earn a second chance at life. A chance they so richly deserve.