The Erath County Humane Society is a very active influence in the county
offering shelter to homeless and unwanted
animals. There is no charge for bringing in animals that live within the
county but all donations to the organization are
very much appreciated. There is a small charge for animals that are brought
in from outside the county boundaries;
$25 per animal over 3 months old; $25 per litter under 3 months of age.
All dogs and cats adopted from the shelter must be neutered within a reasonable
period of time, depending upon the
age of the animal. This is in accordance with state law. Other requirements
coincide with those ordinances on the books
of the city of Stephenville such as vaccinations, tags, number of pets in
the household, etc. Stephenville Police Department
employs two officers to enforce those regulations.
Law enforcement agencies work with shelter employees and volunteers to bring
charges against anyone who cruelly
mistreats or improperly cares for animals in their custody.
The ECHS was organized on September 16, 1976 and is a chartered, non-profit
corporation. The first shelter was the
city pound to which the humane society added a small wooden building.
During 1977, ECHS began to do cruelty investigations of animals, particularly
staged dog fights. During the following
session of the state legislature, a bill co-sponsored by Senator Bob Glasgow,
Stephenville, was passed making this
practice a felony in the state of Texas.
In November of 1984 a climate controlled animal shelter was completed. The
40 by 16 foot building was constructed
by a local contractor and cost $17,500 the cost of which, was donated by
private citizens and businesses, with the help
of fund raisers.
ECHS works together with the city of Stephenville and the County government
in controlling the animal population and
in this area. Monetary support for the shelter includes $17,000 annually
from the city of Stephenville and $18,000 from
the county. ECHS owns and maintains the two buildings constructed on the
property, the second structure having been
completed in 1992. The humane society employs two full time workers at the
shelter. They are assisted from time to time
with the help of volunteers and some individuals doing public service.
The city has two salaried officers who make investigations inside the city
limits concerning animal welfare. They are also
responsible for capturing and bringing strays to the shelter. Animals are
then processed by the shelter director. Animals
not reclaimed nor adopted are humanely euthanized after a period of time.
The Erath County Humane Society is governed with by-laws and a board of six
directors consisting of the immediate
past-president and six directors elected by majority vote for terms of two
years. Three members are chosen at once in
alternating years. The officers for the organization are elected each year
at the annual meeting in September. They are a
president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. They meet with the directors
every other month.
The current officers are: President: Gail Johnson, Vice-President: Jill Hill,
Secretary: Kelly Barbee, Treasurer: Paula Prater,
Past President: Billy Cook.
The animal shelter is located on East Road (Hwy 281) south of the intersection
of 377 loop, near the airport entrance. The
facility is open to the public Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 3:00. Closed
on Saturdays, Sundays and
Holidays. Contributions may be made in person at the shelter or mailed to
PO Box 2006. There are currently 30 regular
members and 37 lifetime members. Lifetime memberships in the ECHS are $150.00
one time fee with yearly dues being
$15.00 each. |
About
Us
