COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Bartholomew County commissioners have made a significant financial gesture to help homeless dogs and cats.
During the panel’s annual organizational meeting, the commissioners agreed to raise their support to the Bartholomew County Humane Society by 38% over last year.
The Humane Society will receive $125,000 to be distributed in monthly allotments of $10,417, according to figures announced Monday. That’s up from a total of $90,474 provided last year.
The money is appropriated in exchange for the Humane Society agreeing to take in domesticated animals brought in by Bartholomew County Animal Control. Officials with the Humane Society had met earlier with the commissioners during a work session to negotiate a new agreement, commissioners Chairman Tony London said.
“They had asked for that amount, and we thought it was appropriate,” London said.
While inflation was listed as one reason for the increase, London said the Humane Society has been tied to the same amount from the county for several years. However, the number of domestic animals brought into the animal shelter by Animal Control employees continues to go up.
“It’s not like if they take in more animals, they automatically get more pay,” London said. “It’s always been a flat annual fee.”
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
