By Emily Banks Wooten
[email protected]
Ron Hornsby, executive director of the SPCA of Polk County, recently spoke to the Rotary Club of Livingston, providing an update on the local organization, as well as “what’s working and what isn’t.”
Having served as executive director for about four years now, Hornsby relayed the challenges the SPCA has faced this year, including flooding and a hurricane, as well as declines in both adoptions and donations.
When the flooding occurred earlier this spring, he said only two of his volunteers were able to get to the animal shelter, but that those two were able to relocate 62 cats from the cattery which was flooding.
Additionally, nearby Choates Creek overflowed, pushing debris away and creating a very large sinkhole near where the dog park was located.
“There’s a bit of work to do and we’re reaching out to the EPA and others and raising funds to do something about the rubble, which included five feet of shingles, cars and car parts,” Hornsby said
“It’s been a year. But we’ll get through it, we always do,” Hornsby said.
As for the decline in donations, Hornsby said it is due to the economy, that they have received about 60% overall and that there has been a steady decline over the last two years. As for the decline in adoptions, he said it is not unique and not just here. He said that previously, there were 10-20 adoptions a day, and now maybe one.
Hornsby said there are more animals in the southern states, so they are trying to relocate animals to the north. And by clearing them out, it results in more space for more animals.
He said the facility currently has 33 kennels and 60 dogs on site, which he said is not safe and can lead to medical issues.
“We’re having to turn down the community, but we’re going to keep pushing, trying new things. It’s not that we don’t want to, it’s that we don’t have space for them,” he said.
Hornsby said they opened a spay/neuter/wellness clinic last September and they are going to try to establish microchip and vaccine clinics. He said they can fund this with minimal costs, and it gets their name out there.
He said the next mission is to keep pushing adoptions, open a retail space and improve transport.
The SPCA of Polk County’s animal shelter is a no-kill facility that is located at 802 S. Houston Ave. in Livingston, with 10,000 square feet on two levels. Presently, the total number of animals onsite and in foster care is 148.
“It’s a rewarding challenge. I see problems and try and find solutions. We’ll keep working to do what we can to keep the population down,” Hornsby said.
For additional information, go to the website at spcapolk.org. All donations are tax-deductible.
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