Nurturing Community – Humane Society of Burnett County
Humane Society of Burnett County
By Joanne Manning
“Rescue does not mean damaged; it means they have been let down by humans!”
Have you ever wondered how the Humane Society of Burnett County came to be? Well, a group of dedicated people came together for animals, and we were incorporated on November 13, 2000 and granted nonprofit status on January 19, 2001. Our mission is to provide a safe haven for stray or unwanted animals, to foster the human-animal bond, to promote responsible pet ownership and to end pet overpopulation through spay/neuter. We receive no funding from the county or townships – we operate on donations, fundraisers and grants. Thanks to our supporters, we are still going strong rescuing dogs and cats that need our help.
Let me give you a few numbers! There are no records of the number of animals helped from 2000 to the end of 2007; however, beginning January 1, 2008, we have been using a tracking system program called Petpoint. The software has allowed us to store numbers from 2008 to March 22, 2024, and they’re pretty impressive. During that time period we have helped 2,088
cats and 3,134 dogs and there is no slowing down. We feel successful every time we see an animal in need being adopted into its forever home, knowing it will be loved and safe. Sometimes we are asked if we are a “No Kill Shelter” and the answer to that is yes!
Two of our newer board members have started a new volunteer program and they’re kicking it out of the park. Volunteers are the backbone of the shelter and a huge help with the animals, particularly with socialization and dog walks. Our newest program for Foster Care is in the works and hopefully will be up and running soon. The number of animals coming in has risen significantly and foster care is a must have, so if anyone is interested in fostering or volunteering, please let us know.
As a nonprofit, we do have our concerns, particularly as animals increase and so do the expenses. We are extremely grateful to all who support us, and we can’t begin to tell you how much it means. Besides our supporters, our money is raised through grant writing, fundraising, and marketing. It just never ends!
Speaking of marketing, our annual Bark & Wine event is scheduled for Saturday, April 6 from 5-8 p.m., at the Zhashagiins Event Center in Siren. There will be a taco bar, silent and live auctions, a mystery gift board, a chocolate kiss raffle and live music. It’s always a fun night and we hope to see you there. All money raised goes toward the care of the animals.
People may contact the HSBC through Facebook or by emailing rescue.hsbc@gmail.com. We can also be reached by phone 715-349-2368 during regular business hours. To learn more, or find out how to volunteer or make a donation, visit our website at www.hsburnettcty.org. It’s also a great way to find your new four-footed family member!
The Northwest Alliance Community Foundation is an affiliate of the St. Croix Valley Foundation. We support our area nonprofits with educational opportunities and grants. Please consider joining us by making a donation. See our website nacommunityfoundation.org for more information or email nacf.hq@gmail.com.