Friends of Berrien County Animal Services has been busy making donations to the county shelter lately, so busy that the Berrien County Board of Commissioners has approved a blanket resolution accepting the group’s help.
At a meeting this week, the board passed the resolution accepting any and all donations from the Friends of Berrien County Animal Services and formally recognizing the organization for its continuous support. Commissioner Jim Curran told colleagues at a previous meeting that with so many donations coming in from the Friends, it just made more sense to approve one big resolution than holding vote after vote on each donation.
Friends of Berrien County Animal Services President Katherine Francis tells us she’s glad to help. One big thing the group has been doing is supporting the medical needs of animals in the shelter.
“So if an animal comes in that’s injured or sick, we’ll provide medical care,” Francis said. “We often pay the veterinarians directly in the county. We have a dog right now who has a broken leg and is in a foster home.”
The dog is getting treatment so it can be adopted out once it’s recovered. The group pays for heartworm treatment and, of course, spaying and neutering.
“So we are donating $25 ,000 for the spay neuter at the shelter just to support that program, which is amazing that every animal leaves spayed and neutered.”
Francis says the Friends of Berrien County Animal Services also provides the shelter with supplies like beds, food, and toys. And it just this week finished installing some awnings in the play yards.
Francis says with the shelter full and pet surrenders rising, the Friends are also planning to sponsor some adoptions. Anyone who wants to help can check the group’s website, FBCAS.org. Francis notes their next big fundraiser will be Bids for Barks in April.
Meanwhile, shelter manager Ashley Herr will still update county commissioners on new donations. The county commission just won’t have to hold a vote on each one.
