Our History
By Margaret Nemo

I joined the Humane Society in the late fifties when Mrs. L. M. Higgins and Mrs. W. Phil Genovar were President and Secretary. The original shelter had just been completed. We employed a man to care for the animals and his wife took phone calls.

The city rented three runs from us for $35.00 quarterly ($140.00 a year) and gave us "up to $300.00" for animal food. Dogs and cats from the city and county were brought in either by the public or by members of the Society using their own transportation and gas. Later the county gave us $1000.00 a year to accept and feed animals from outside the city limits.

The Society existed on this plus donations from a concerned public, memberships, and the yearly fundraiser - "The Elegant Silver Tea." This beautiful event with lace, silver, and refreshments, donated by the best bakers and sandwich makers, was held at Mrs. Genovar's lovely home. Donation was a silver dollar or more and everyone came. We really made money.

I have been Secretary, Vice - President, and Director. I got off the Board after 20 years so that there would be "new blood," but kept on working as a volunteer. I have often been asked what I did during my years there. I have picked up countless strays and injured animals, investigated cruelty cases, taken the sick to the vet. I fed animals, hosed down dog runs, cleaned cat cages, and dug graves for sorrowing owners of pets in our own cemetery while they wept.
I think my proudest moment was in getting rid of the carbon monoxide method of euthanizing sick and un-adoptable animals and using sodium pentobarbital to accomplish this end. I can still remember as if it were yesterday, being able to buy boxes of a dozen little bottles of solution for $96.00, out of my monthly allowance, from the veterinary supply salesman because the Humane Society could not afford it. Fortunately, later on, funds were made available.

I spend my efforts now, along with Marcella Taylor, in collecting and refurbishing the coin containers, which we pick up monthly from dedicated merchants' stores. It is interesting to note that over a period of twenty-plus years, these little "doggie cans" have disgorged thousands of dollars in small coins and bills.

It is most rewarding from the standpoint of a thirty-plus year member to see the strides we have made due to the enlightenment of city and county officials, a concerned public; and caring officers, directors, and staff. We have come a long way from our humble beginnings in the thirties. Then, we helped the helpless from a small "shack" by the F.E.C Railroad track, where the stockade is today.

Now almost sixty years later, we still speak for those who cannot.