Sumter Humane Society has chance for cash in online contest

Locals urged to vote every day

Carly Farrell

AMERICUS — One vote could equal $10,000 for 144 animals in Sumter County's Humane Society’s animal shelter.

After Sumter County's shelter moved into a new, larger facility recently to better shelter more animals, the shelter's annual budget was cut by $30,000 by the City and County.

The shelter is in dire need of donors' support to fill this gap, and is very grateful for every dollar donated to them.

But, because of the struggling economy, animals' food, veterinary services and even electricity costs have been rising.

Shelter Director Trisha Howard is afraid they will be forced to euthanize more animals if the extra money needed doesn't start coming.

That's why she and her staff have entered a contest sponsored in part by www.theanimalrescuesite.com. Every shelter in Georgia is in the contest, and the shelter with the most votes at the end of the voting period receives a $1,000 donation to help with the shelter's cost of feeding and sheltering the animals. Voting ends in the middle of April. And right now, Sumter County's shelter isn't doing too badly — they've gotten enough votes to rank seventh in the state, but they are asking community members to vote every day until the end of the contest so they can win the $1,000. If they win more votes than any other shelter in the country, they would win $10,000.

Log on to www.sumterhumanesociety.org and click on the purple paw on the right side of the page to place a vote.

"It's free to help out, and we really need it!" Amber Manning, assistant shelter director, said.

The shelter is also hosting a supply drive the third Friday and Saturday of every month.

"The number one thing that we need is any type of Pedigree or Purina food, both canned and dry," Howard wrote in an e-mail. "We're praying for a miracle."

Donations can be dropped off at Sumter Humane Society, Cafe Campesino, Draw Products, Ginger Starlin State Farm Insurance Agency, or those wishing to help can purchase the food at Farmer's Seed & Feed, and someone from the Humane Society will pick up the supplies.

The Sumter Humane Society is also hosting a casino night from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Pope Center at South Georgia Technical College.

Tickets are $50, which includes one chance for a door prize, heavy hors d'oeuvres, play money and a silent auction. Tickets are available at the Sumter Humane Society, area veterinary clinics and at the door.

According to Howard, last year, the fundraiser brought in $20,000, and since the shelter began the fundraiser four years ago, every year, the funds raised have gone up a little.

The funds are going to help animals like a mother and five babies who were found by an Americus Police officer around 11:30 p.m. Jan. 19 in the torrential rain near Bumphead Road found locked in a large, metal crate. Right now, there are 100 dogs and 44 cats in need of good homes in the Sumter County shelter.

Howard said that every year, the shelter brings in 2,000 animals, and only finds homes for 500.

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