Humane society cuts hours for numerous reasons
Washington Area Humane Society has changed and curtailed its hours, and Kelly Proudfit cited a kennel-ful of reasons.
“We have evaluated everything, from foot traffic to number of adoptions daily to staffing to budgets,” said the executive director, who came on board in November.
“Most shelters our size are closed for two days,” she continued. “It made sense to give us a couple of days to feed, clean and work with the animals. When you’re open seven days, it takes more staffing. It was a combination of things.”
Until April 30, the facility on Route 136 in North Strabane operated noon to 5 p.m. seven days a week. Hours now are noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and closed Sunday and Monday. That is a weekly reduction from 35 to 29 hours.
Proudfit said the decision to be closed Sunday and Monday came after an examination of statistics. “Monday and Sunday seemed to be our slowest days. We got a lot of foot traffic on Sunday, but few adoptions.”
Staying open till 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, she added, will make the humane society more accessible to people who work until 5.
The new director said the staff is the same size as when she started and there are no plans to cut jobs, but two employees will be leaving on their own this month and will not be replaced. She also said a few full-time employees may be switched to part time.
The humane society, Proudfit added, will be looking for a part-time veterinarian to work about 12 hours a week. The facility’s current vet, Jonna Swanson, will be relocating to Tokyo.
Washington Area Humane Society’s mission statement, according to its website, is to “provide shelter, safety and food for the orphaned and abused animals of Washington County with the goal of placing them in loving homes.” The facility does not euthanize animals, but does plenty of spaying and neutering. Last year, it spayed or neutered 579 shelter animals and 300 outside animals.