Hart BOC Says “No” to Humane Society Request for Grant Match

Hart County Humane Society President Donna Madkiff plans to try again to persuade the Hart County Board of Commissioners to support her group’s efforts to supply low-cost spay/neutering to pet owners.

Madkiff came before the board Tuesday evening to request their matching support for a grant application from the Two Mauds Foundation.

Over the past several years, the Hart County Humane Society has tried to get out in front of the county’s problem of stray and unwanted dogs and cats and litters by offering free and low-cost spays and neuters to low-income pet owners.

As a result, Madkiff said they have depleted their budget, which in early 2014 totalled nearly $80,000.

They are now doing more fund raising and applying for more grants to replenish that fund.

But in order to get another grant from the Two Mauds Foundation, Madkiff said the County needs to match it.

“The group will help us if the county will help us with $5,000, they will give us an additional $5,000,” Madkiff said.

Madkiff said $5,000 would pay to fix 87 pets.

The Two Mauds Foundation is based in New York City, but focuses its grant funding to Appalachian states and the southeastern U.S., including Georgia.

It favors smaller no-kill rescue groups working on spay and neuter and related animal-welfare programs that provide a direct benefit to animals.

Madiff told the board the Two Mauds Foundation has given her group grants in the past, but now they require proof of community or government support.

“We’ve gotten a grant from them in the past, but they will now not give us a grant unless they see from our community and elected officials that they understand it is better to be proactive to prevent more litters of puppies and kittens than having them go to the shelter,” Madkiff said.

Commissioner RC Oglesby however said this was not a good time to be asking for money from the county.

“I think the timing is real bad for this,” Oglesby said. “We don’t have it in the budget right now. I think you should come back during budget time and see what we can do and give it a shot then,” he told Madkiff.

Commissioner Joey Dorsey agreed.

Dorsey, who was out of town on business, said by speakerphone, there just isn’t any more money to spare in this year’s fiscal budget.

“At the request of the Humane Society, the county has stepped up and provided an animal control officer, which the county is funding,” Dorsey said. “We have significantly increased our contribution to the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter. Quite frankly, with us having to raise the millage rate last year, I don’t think we have the money to do that right now.”

Madkiff said she will come back during budget talks to request it be put in the county’s FY16 budget.