Montgomery Humane Society out of money - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Montgomery Humane Society out of money

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By Melissa McKinney - bio | email
Charlie Reynolds holds Pablo the dog at the Montgomery Humane Society. Charlie Reynolds holds Pablo the dog at the Montgomery Humane Society.

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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

Hundreds of animals could soon be hanging on by a thread. The Montgomery Humane Society is broke.

Directors there say without more funding, they'll be forced to take drastic measures that could affect animals in need of a good home.

It isn't unusual to see Charlie Reynolds loving on a dog.

He'll admit, volunteering at the Montgomery Humane Society was for personal reasons.

"I tend to be a complainer."

Working with animals every week has no doubt softened his heart and shown him how vital the organization is to the community and the animals it serves.

"It is our responsibility to make sure that they are provided for," says Reynolds.

But that's the problem, there isn't any more money.

"We weren't able to cut our way out of this," says Montgomery Humane Society Executive Director Steven Tears.

Tears says three years ago when the economy crashed, the Montgomery County Commission was forced to cut some appropriations to the Humane Society's funding.

Even with the help of fundraisers and donations, the shelter hasn't been able to make up that money.

Now, they're $50,000 dollars in the hole and barely able to make payroll.

"Layoffs are a possibility. Obviously we just don't have, I don't have a team to lay off. If I lay off a team we're gonna struggle," says Tears.

Directors were forced to go to the county commission to ask for help. They say it's the only way to ensure puppies and animals get the proper care they need and deserve.

"We'll vote to increase their budget $40-50 thousand, I think was the consensus of all the commissioners," says Montgomery County Commissioner Reed Ingram.

Ingram believes the commission will vote unanimously to help the shelter.

For now, Reynolds will be here for the long haul.

"What I can do to help these animals, that's all the pay I need."

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