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Shelter cuts services Photo by Bob Pennell Humane society worker Ricky Sargent holds onto 8-month-old Malcolm while the labrador retriever swallows his daily pill. The cone around Malcom's neck was provided by a veterinarian to prevent Malcom from licking his wounds. Humane Society budget shortfall forces choices on what pets to take By JESSICA SMITH Cutbacks won't compromise the care given to pets at the Southern Oregon Humane Society's animal shelter, society leaders say. But a $160,000 budget shortfall means fewer business hours this year, a reduced staff and a policy that requires the humane society to be more "choosy" about which pets are taken into its Table Rock Road shelter. Beginning today, the humane society will no longer accept dogs and cats with illnesses or other conditions that require special care. "We just can't afford to take in those animals that we know are going to be a financial drain on us," said Executive Director Bill Templeman, who noted that the humane society is sticking with a 1996 "no-kill" policy that prevents the shelter from euthanizing pets who take longer to adopt out to a family, such as ill and injured animals. Despite the nonprofit's money troubles, Templeman said the humane society is committed to providing the best care for the animals. "We've never been in a position to lavish money on our animals but we certainly won't compromise their care," he said. But business is business -- even for nonprofits -- and Templeman said changes were necessary to keep the shelter's doors open. "The changes were hard choices to make. They were choices we didn't want to make. But we don't have any other option." The one-time seven-day shelter at 2910 Table Rock Road will now be closed Sundays and Mondays. New hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. In addition, adoption fees will increase to $45 for cats and $60 for dogs. The shelter also will decrease its staffing by 45 hours a week. It's important to note that the cutbacks are temporary, said Kathy Pilolla, the society's development director. "We're not looking at these changes as negative. We're looking at this an an opportunity to strengthen our organization," she said. "We're growing and we're making positive changes for the animals. This is a temporary cutback while we continue to make advances in those trends." Dwindling funds from bequests and the shelter's declining income since the 1994 closure of its veterinary clinic led to the humane society's budget shortfall, society representatives said. A 1999 fund-raising campaign fell about 30 percent short of $90,000 needed to balance the annual budget. As of Friday, the humane society had $47,000 in its coffers. Another $195,000 will be needed to cover expenses throughout 2000. Though the shelter is expected to raise another $36,000 through earned income, the humane society needs another $160,000 in cash donations and pledges to put it back in the black, Templeman said. If past years are any indication, it looks like the humane society is already headed in the right direction, Pilolla said. Donations to the society have increased 35 percent since 1997, with a 54 percent jump in 1999 alone. "We're on the right track. We're making headway and we're making progress," Pilolla said. "But we have to cut back for the time being." The humane society will begin fund-raising efforts again in mid-April to reestablish full services, she said. For more information on how to help the humane society, call 779-8558 or 618-0699. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA