Tough economic times are causing people to cut back on spending in many ways and that includes making charitable contributions.

In fact, one local animal shelter says their donations are so low they could up closing their doors in the coming weeks.

Up until Thursday morning the Lincoln County Humane Society director says they thought they would have to turn over their services to the county by the end of next week.

She says enough donations came in Thursday to get them through next week but that the shelter still is in a bad situation.

Only a quarter of the funds needed to run the shelter are provided by the county and the city of Merrill. The other 75 percent come from fundraising and donations.

Unfortunately, the shelter’s director says contributions are dwindling as the number of animals coming in continues to rise.

“It’s a combination of things,” Jill Janikowski said. “Everybody’s feeling the pressure right now with the economy the way it is. I think people sometimes just don’t know what’s really going on.”

Like, for example, that if the shelter’s services get turned over the county, the humane society could end up being a pound where animals are only held for seven days and then are often euthanized.

The shelter is asking for any donations possible – even if it’s just a dollar.

Other ways Janikowski says you can help the shelter keep costs down is by spaying or neutering your pets, adopting their pets, or volunteering time at the shelter so they don’t have to pay for help.

To learn more about donating money to the Lincoln County Humane Society and other ways you can help out, visit their website by clicking on the link below.

http://www.furrypets.com/