Montgomery Co. Humane Society Needs Help As Medical Costs Rise
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The Montgomery County Humane Society needs your help. More and more animals are coming in — some of the highest numbers they’ve received in years and that means a rise in medical costs. Humane society officials say they’re struggling to get that extra money.
Medical costs here at the Montgomery County Humane Society are in the thousands. They’ve even gone over budget to give animals what they need to survive. But just how much can it all cost?
Two dogs — yoo long of a stay at the Montgomery County Humane Shelter.
This is Lacy, a Shepherd mix. She’s a happy, and protective pup living at the shelter the last four months. But when she stands up, you notice why her stay at the shelter has been so long: she’s an amputee.
And then there’s Lee. He’s a labrador mix, who loves to play catch. But two months ago when he came in, this is what he looked like: covered from head to toe with a disease called demondectic mange, with skin filled with scabs. He was highly infected.
Both dogs are just two examples of hundreds who have come through these doors and need medical treatment…
“Anybody who owns a pet knows when they go to a vet, their expenses go up and therefore their prices go up. And it’s the same for us. We have to buyt the same medications, the same shots, the same tests that they do,” Steven Tears, Montgomery Humane Society.
And with animal intake 40 percent higher than usual, Tears says they’re spreading themselves thin with medical costs, too.
“Annual vaccinations with a physical, heartworm check, and check for intestinal worms runs about $100 a year.Heart worm preventative, depending on the size of the pet , depending on the size of the pet if it’s just heartowrk preventative runs about $150,” Said Dr. Donald Goodwin.
But happens if medical conditions are out of the ordinary, like for Lacy or Lee?
“For demondedectic mange, yes ma’am, it was close to $1,200 to get him [Lee] better. That’s $600 just out the door costs just for the surgery,” Said Lacy.
All costs that now leave the Montgomery Humane society $15,000 over-budget.
“The expenses arent covered. We find ourselves in a very difficult position,” Said Tears.
A very difficult position that could put the lives of some of these animals at risk. And it’s why the Humane society is needing your help to either donate or even give one these guys a forever home.
If you’d like to help, you can call the Montgomery County Humane Society at 409-0622…
