The Chilton County Humane Society is asking for the public’s financial support to help keep the shelter open.

“We are in desperate need of any donations people want to give,” Humane Society President Krystine Gish said. “If we keep going at the rate we are going, we will be forced to close our doors.”

A large veterinary bill of around $12,000 last month prompted funds to run dry at the shelter, forcing Gish to call around and ask for donations.

“I called Clanton Mayor Billy Joe Driver, and he told me he would try to come up with something he could help us out with,” Gish said. “He called back the next day and told me he could give us a $5,000 donation. We also get a monthly allotment of $2,500 from the county, and they cut us the check early rather than giving it to us at the end of the month to help out with the situation.”

Currently, there are more than 200 dogs and cats housed at the Clanton shelter, and Gish said the number could decrease if programs were implemented in the county such as a spay and neuter clinic.

“If more people got their pets spayed and neutered they wouldn’t be bringing them to the shelter,” Gish said. “A lot of people don’t spay and neuter because they can’t afford it, and we would love to be able to offer some sort of program where we could help people in the community out with getting their animals spayed and neutered.”

In addition to monthly support from Clanton and the county, Gish said other municipalities in the county also contribute.

Gish hopes the county could increase its yearly contribution of $30,000 to $80,000 for the upcoming fiscal year to help alleviate financial burdens.

“If we were to get $80,000 from the county, that would cover the core of our operating costs,” Gish said.

There are five employees who work at the shelter including the director, but Gish’s position is volunteer.

Board members also work on a volunteer basis, Gish said.

“There are some months where we struggle to even cover payroll,” Gish said. “It is hard to do the work we want to do when we are always struggling. We are at the mercy of whoever is willing to give us money.”

Gish said there are several fundraisers planned within the next couple of weeks for the community to help support the shelter.

“We want to come up with fundraisers where people would want to participate even if it wasn’t a fundraiser,” Gish said.

A yard sale is planned for Sept. 19 in the parking lot in front of Dr. Jon Binkerd’s office at Chilton Surgical Associates off Lay Dam Road.

“Right now, we are looking for volunteers, and if anyone has anything to donate to the yard sale, we are definitely interested,” Gish said.

On Sept. 25, the fourth annual spaghetti dinner will be held at 7 p.m. at the Clanton Country Club. Tickets may be purchased at the shelter, at Pethaven Veterinary Hospital and Cox Veterinary Clinic.

“We are just asking for the support from the community,” Gish said. “We want to be able to keep the doors open.”

To donate to the shelter, call (205) 755-9170 or visit chiltoncountyhumanesociety.org.