KINGWOOD— The Preston County Humane Society will be honoring three groups of people for their contributions toward animal welfare.
About 50 people attended the society’s annual meeting Thursday evening at The Preston County Inn.
However, bad weather kept away some of those who were to be recognized for their support throughout the year. Society Vice President Sheila Williams said the awards will be given later.
To be honored will be Rotruck-Lobb Funeral Home, Jean-Manuel and Deb Guillot, and the Old Hemlock Foundation.
Newly elected PCHS President Deb Corley presented the 2018 annual report. The group’s total income for 2018 was $37,303.23. This included membership dues of $1,255 and donations of $6,091.38, including $3,000 in memorial donations, fund raisers totaling $8,156, private donations and grants of $21,696.44, and interest income of $104.41.
One of the group’s major expenses is its spay and neuter assistance program. Total expenses last year for the program were $22,573.56, which provided free or reduced cost spaying or neutering for 202 Preston County pets.
PCHS provided $5,964.32, a West Virginia Department of Agriculture grant provided $4,171.22 and $12,437.89 was paid with Peterman Foundation funds for the program. In addition, PCHS assisted with 50 feral cats at a cost of $5,490.53.
As previously reported, PCHS worked with seven feral cat colonies last year.
Other expenses included services for sick and injured animals, $332.25; and Kind News publication for classroom education on animal welfare, $625. Kind News goes to 25 classrooms around the county.
Last year PCHS was invited to join the Preston County Animal Shelter at three adoption events. PCHS held a bake sale at each event, raising a total of $349. In September the Run For It team collected $1,025 in donations and grants, and the semi-annual Krispy Kreme fundraiser raised $3,774.50 after expenses.
Newly elected PCHS officers are Deb Corley, president; Sheila Williams, vice president; Ginger Larew, secretary; Debbie DeLauder, treasurer; and Alix Evans, spay and neuter coordinator.
Donations to PCHS can be mailed to P.O. Box 395, Kingwood, WV 26537. Indicate which program the donation is for. Or visit the website at prestoncountyhumanesociety.org
For information about the spay/neuter program call 304-435-1808.
To report animal abuse, cruelty or neglect, call the Preston County Sheriff’s Department at 304-329-1611 and ask to speak with a humane officer.
