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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The Humane Society of Chilton County needed just two months to erase $13,423.79 in debts in another step towards improving the nonprofit. The Humane Society announced the news that it was out of debt at its board meeting on Oct. 30 at The Wellness Group LLC.

“We had a tremendous amount of donations come in, and the Howloween fundraiser was the most successful fundraiser event in the seven years I have been at the shelter. That was the best fundraiser ever done,” Jennifer Fesmire, Director of the Humane Society of Chilton County, said. “I think day after day, month by month we are going to continue to build that (trust with the community), support our community and have our community support us.”

President of the Humane Society of Chilton County Jimmie Hardee said that the board has stepped up greatly within the two months it has been in place to assist with steps forward. Hardee said he and Fesmire are communicating up to two to three times per week about updates and needs at the shelter.

“We have some things in the works right now, some maintenance issues we are going to solve,” Hardee said. “I am really proud of Jennifer for her leadership, because she has taken (charge), and we have all worked together to turn this thing around and get it pointed in the right direction.”

The Chilton County Commission and the City of Clanton both doubled their appropriations to the Humane Society as well to aid in the improvement efforts. Going forward, Hardee wants the board to continue to educate the public on the importance of spay and neuter, giving the shelter employees more financial stability and working on projects around the building.

The nonprofit is currently looking for individuals with concrete, electrical and other handy talents to assist with the projects around the building to get it in better shape.

“There are projects that anybody at any given time can get involved with,” Hardee said. “We appreciate the public’s response, and them entrusting us to continue to make this a better place for the animals, employees and the public.”

The number of pets in August at 130, 56 dogs and 74 cats, has gone up some as of right now. Fesmire said they are continuing to work with local rescues to get some of them into better situations and opportunities to find their forever home.

“Every day it is one step in the right direction,” Fesmire said.

The Humane Society has been reaching out to local schools recently to get the children in Chilton County more involved with the shelter to educate them, and their parents, on ways they can help. Clanton Intermediate School recently put together a school project that benefitted the shelter, and Fesmire said more schools are looking to help out as well.