FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The worry and concern at the Marion County Humane Society were replaced with cheers when staff learned their levy had passed after a previous version failed in May.
The levy needed 60 percent voter-approval and ended on election night less than a half-percent over that threshold.
Shelter Director Jonna Spatafore said the wait since May has been a difficult one, but ceasing operations was never an option even if the levy failed.
“We want to think we can save them all, at least we want to try,” Spatafore said. “We were worried we were going to have to make some difficult decisions and now we don’t have to.”
The shelter is track to take in as many as 700 four-legged friends this year. The levy will generate more than $480,000 annually to fund animal care, supplies and some increases in employee pay. There are also plans to start a voucher program to pat spay and neuter services for stray cats to control that population.
“We were determined this place would continue somehow, but we knew we would have to make changes if the levy didn’t pass,” Spatafore said.
The organization just moved into a $2 million facility but the levy won’t be used for that purpose. The levy will fund day-to-day operations and the organization and all other income will be used to pay for the new building.
“Our fundraisers, our donations, our adoption fees will be used to pay on our building,” Spatafore said.
The shelter is “no-kill” meaning euthanasia is never used as a means to create room for more dogs or cats. The shelter is credited with one of the lowest euthanasia rates in the state.
“We work a little harder to get them homes,” Spatafore said. ” We spay them, we neuter them, we vaccinate them, give them medical care they need, get them healthy, and work hard to get a home.”
Spatafore thanked voters for their support but singled out the community at-large for their continued generous support.
“Anytime we are low on something, need something, or put out a plea for something we get an overwhelming response to it,” Spatafore said. “It’s very heart warming to see how our community takes care of us.”