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Winner:
Shelby County Humane Society
Saving animals’ lives, one at a time
When Sara Shirley started at Shelby County Humane Society 12 years ago, it was known as the dog pound. At the time, it took in 8,000 pets annually, and there were days that Shirley spent six hours deciding which pets would live and which would die. There was simply not enough space to give shelter to all of the pets.
Today, the humane society is a different place, Shirley said. In 2014, the society took in 4,597 animals. Although she admits that there is more work to be done, she cannot deny the fact that the society has made a drastic impact.
“To see that difference,” Shirley said. “Wow. The community support is unbelievable.”
Shirley credits the organization’s success to its use of spay and neuter programs in Shelby County. Since the program started in 2008, there has been a significant drop in the number of animals brought in both to receive treatments and vaccines as well as to be dropped off for shelter.
“It’s a direct correlation,” Shirley said.
The humane society still faces challenges within the community. Shirley said that some people come in with reports of animal abuse and there is often little the society can offer to a scenario. The society assists law enforcement when abuse is reported, but it cannot help before authorities are called in first.
“That’s a challenge because we want to help, but we can’t.” Shirley said.
The society is also still faced with the difficult task of having to euthanize animals. Although it has not had to euthanize for space in many years, some are still humanely euthanized due to behavioral problems.
“People come in with family pets and ask us to promise to not euthanize, but we have to do what is best for the community,” Shirley said.
Despite the challenges, Shirley and the rest of the society are amazed by the progress that has been made in Shelby County over the last several years. It now knows that the answer to eliminating the need for euthanization is spay and neuter programs and education throughout the community. Shirley said that often families bring in pets for shelter that could have stayed with their families with a little more education and help. The society’s goal is to save every pet possible.
The Shelby County Humane Society is appreciative of the community’s support through the Community Cause of the Year award.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Shirley said. “It’s amazing to me that [the community] believes in what we’re doing.”
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Runner Up:
The Alabama Wildlife Center
Doug Adair knows that his job directly affects lives in the community every day. At the Alabama Wildlife Center, he and his staff not only have a passion for wildlife rehabilitation, but also for raising awareness of the environment and wildlife.
“There’s just something about an up close and personal encounter with a red tailed hawk or a great horned owl or a Mississippi kite that is very different from seeing one on TV,” Adair said. “We can provide that encounter and similarly build a connection between people in the community and our wildlife resources.”
The Alabama Wildlife Center cares for up to 2,000 injured or orphaned birds from more than 100 different species annually. Birds are brought to the center by staff as well as community members. The center was founded in 1977, which makes it the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation facility in the state.
As a non-profit organization with only five full-time employees, the center relies on community volunteers to help give proper care to the birds at the center. Alabama Wildlife Center’s two-pronged mission focusing on rehabilitation and community education is essential to gaining volunteers. With over 200 volunteers dedicating their time, Adair can tell that the center’s work is making an impact on the community.
“We are incredibly blessed to be in a community with so many caring people that give back,” Adair said.
Despite their efforts, Adair points out the in both the state and nation, bird population has declined in recent years. The center knows that the answer to this is more community awareness.
“We need to be aware of these resources that we’ve been blessed with,” Adair said.
The center is grateful for all of the recognition received from the community in the 2015 Community Awards.
For more information on the center, visit awrc.org.
