Humane Society Looking for Help
The Humane Society of Marathon County has helped thousands of animals over the years, but right now they are struggling financially.
They have a $93,000 deficit from last year.
They decided to turn to Marathon County when they realized the county had the power to raise pet licensing fees to generate more funds for the Humane Society. They are asking the county for $168,000.
The county says it was not aware of the Humane Society's financial struggles until late 2012. They give the Humane Society money to impound stray pets for up to seven days, but the Humane Society says that simply isn't enough.
They and the county are working out details to decide the allocation of the money. Thee county says they do not want to raise taxes to create extra revenue.
"It's a community issue," says Humane Society president Linda Berna-Karger. "The impoundment of strays and taking care of those animals that have been abandoned. It's important to come to some solution on this."
The county says the Humane Society has been dipping into their reserves for years.
"We have to figure out how to make up that difference," says Marathon County Deputy Administrator Deb Hager. "But first we want to make sure we all agree about the cost allocation -- how we are coming to the gap in dollars."
Both groups hope to come to a decision quickly.
