It’s not about money.
Organizers of the Franklin County Humane Society’s Humane Halloween say the Saturday event isn’t about raising funds for the shelter, it’s about sharing the shelter with the community.
“I wanted to give a different perspective on the shelter,” said Elaine Cook one of the main organizers of the event. “I want people to see it as an upbeat place.”
Cook said often she hears negative attention regarding how the shelter operates. Shelter Manager Regina McDaniel said Humane Halloween is more of an open house event to show the facility and animals available for adoption.
McDaniel said within the last year the shelter has renovated its roof, resurfaced the kennel, added new sidewalks and new air conditioning and heating units in each kennel.
“There’s just a lot of things that have been done over the last year or so,” she said. “There have been improvements on the shelter. It’s not some dreary, drab little hole.”
There will be special adoption prices, discounted from the regular $80 fee throughout the day as well as a chance for people to get to know the cats and dogs in need of homes.
“It helps animals learn how to interact. It socializes them and that is a big benefit to getting them adopted,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel said in August 164 animals were dropped off. She said 20-25 dogs and 18 cats will be available at the event.
Humane Halloween is set for 1-5 p.m. at the Humane Society, 1041 Kentucky Ave. The shelter will open an hour later than normal to allow time for event set up.
Activities include:
>Pet pictures
>Games such as ring toss and duck pond
>Food such as chips and hot dogs
>Door prizes
>Children under age 7 receive a free activity book about the Humane Society.
There is no admission cost, but attendees will have to purchase tickets for around 25 cents each to participate in the activities. McDaniel said the ticket price is to cover the cost of putting on the event.
Costume contests for pets, children and adults are scheduled for around 2:30 p.m.
The Humane Society will be decorated for Halloween but the atmosphere will be appropriate for children, McDaniel said.
For more information about the Franklin County Humane Society or to view animals available for adoption visit www.franklincountyhumanesociety.net or call Cook at 223-1128 or the shelter at 875-7297.
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