The Belfast Community Co-op’s Common Cents group for September is Waldo County Humane Society! Every shopper may ‘round-up’ their purchases at the Co-op to donate to our monthly recipient. 100% of all donations received through Common Cents go to each month’s group.
What is Waldo County Humane Society?
The Waldo County Humane Society was founded in 1895 to protect children and animals. Over the course of many years, as programs were developed for child welfare the Waldo County Humane Society became more focused on animal welfare issues. In 1980 the Waldo County Humane Society in conjunction with County and Municipal support opened the Claude Clements Animal Shelter serving all of Waldo County. After several years due to budget constraints, the County dropped their support and towns started to cut back on their support. By 1987, the Waldo County Humane Society was solely financially supporting the Shelter. In 1998, it became obvious that the Waldo County Humane Society could no longer afford to support the Shelter and they were forced to close it. The Board of Directors immediately voted to offer programs to the Waldo County residents. The first program to be started was the spay/neuter assistance program. The Waldo County Humane Society is a 501c3 organization. Helping your best friend since 1895.
Their programs have expanded over the years to include financial assistance, free rabies vaccination clinics, Senior Spectrum food assistance, and a scholarship program. All of their programs are open to anyone who lives in Waldo County.
- Their spay and neuter voucher program is their largest program. They have provided over 6,900 vouchers to date. These vouchers are for pet owners to use at a veterinary clinic of their choice to help defray the cost of spaying/neutering. They do not have a financial need requirement to obtain a voucher and there is no limit on how many vouchers a pet owner can receive. In the past years, they have provided vouchers for feral cat colonies to get spayed/neutered. The goal of this program is to reduce the dog and cat population.
- Their emergency assistance programs provide financial help to pet owners during times of pet illness or emergencies, who may not be able to provide proper care to their animals otherwise. The goal of these programs is to prevent pets from being surrendered to shelters or euthanized because owners are unable to afford their care.
- Each fall and winter, they sponsor several rabies vaccination clinics for pets living in Waldo County. These clinics are free to all Waldo County residents. They typically vaccinate approximately 700 animals annually. The goal of this program is to help get pets vaccinated and reduce the spread of rabies.
- Spectrum Generations runs an AniMeals program in conjunction with the Meals on Wheels program for seniors in the Belfast area. Each month they provide pet food to the Senior Spectrum AniMeals program.
- They also provide a few scholarships each year to a Waldo County resident who is pursuing secondary education in an animal-related field.
Find Out More:
www.waldocountyhumanesociety.org
100% of all donations received through Common Cents go to each month’s group.