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DC Humane Society Programs  

Many years ago the Doddridge County Historical Society, Inc.,  (DCHS)  a 501-C-3 not for profit organization was established to serve the animal population in Doddridge County.  It is to be noted that the DCHS was and is a separate organization from Doddridge County Animal Control which is a part of the County government. 

In the beginning they struggled financially until a bequest was made by Anna Blanche Barker, which provided funds enough to buy property and build a shelter for the unwanted or abandoned animals in the County. 

WV State Law requires that prior to shelters adopting animals out that the animals are to be spayed/neutered and given a rabies vaccination. 

Upon request from the DCHS, the DC County Commission began providing funding for employing two full time staff members and a part time director donating $71,000 in the past fiscal year to fill their request. 

Other income sources over for FY 2021 include:  Action for Animals ($200), Amazon Smile ($98.21), Amerprise  ($1936.78), Bargain Cellar Donation ( $1440.72), Cat Adoptions ($2,665.), Cat Vouchers ($14,075.), DC Animal Welfare Donation ($1,100), DC Community Foundation ($1000.), Dog Adoptions ($14,920.), Dog Vouchers ($5,775), Donations ($16,123), Feline Neuter Clinic ($ 11,855),Federal Stimulus 3rd qt payroll ($10,655.52), Fundraisers ($1,531) Give Local .($6,423), Grants ($8,375), In Memoriam ($195.30), Kennel Stay ($40), Luv4Animals ($293.10), Kroger qtr Donation ($104.29) Network for Good ($30), Sale of Golf Equipment ($30) for a total income of $186,578.52. 

Their expenses of $167,436.11 FY 2021 include: Van ($1,714.40), Building ($6,886.35), Utilities ($9,846.73), Office ($2,765.70), Staff ($64,390.41), Cleaning ($1,374.27), Canine ($5,332.89), Feline ($8,224.60), Veterinarians ($63,686.16), Miscellaneous ($1,360.75), and Fundraising ($1,892.85). 

Although The West Virginia Department of  Agriculture is mentioned as a Spay/Neutering partner on the Humane Society’s voucher, it is not indicated in the Income Report as to if and how much  by them. 

Under a past agreement, Audubon Animal Clinic (Bridgeport & Philippi), Mountain Valley Veterinary Clinic and Clarksburg Veterinary Hospital provides the spay/neutering and rabies vaccination at a decreased cost of around $100 to the DCHS of which the adoptive parents pays DCHS $50 of the allowed charges and the DCHS paying the remainder of the allowed charges to the veterinarians. 

The DCHS also is one of the shelters in the area that offers a surgery treatment room.  This room is used by a veterinarian (budgeted @ $10,000 yr) to neuter boy kittens from this county as well as other counties including: Ritchie, Harrison, Lewis, Taylor, Upshur, Barbour, Monongahela, Tyler, Marion, Randolph, Hardy, and Hampshire. 

The Doddridge County Commission through Animal Control also uses the DCHS Spay/Neuter vouchers with rabies vaccination for the animals that are picked up by the Animal Control Officer. It was reported in  2021, the County paid a quarterly payment of $16,712 for 100% of the spay/neuter services provided for these animals.

The Adoption Contract, includes the costs associated with Spay/Neutering Dogs:  $125 (mixed breed) $175 (pure breed or $225 (with papers) Cats: $75.

The contract states that if the animal becomes ill or injured, you will surrender it; you agree to license the animal per community laws; return the animal if you cannot take care of it; felines not allowed to be declawed; animals cannot be given as a gift; and if you can no longer keep the animal that you agree to return it to the DCHS. 

Ending the contract, Line 11 states,” I understand that a representative of the DCHS, Inc, may, at any time, make a “well visit” to check on the animal, and if they deem it vital to remove the animal from your care at any time, the society may do so to ensure the welfare of the animal. 

2021  Adoptions indicate the DCHS has adopted 88 dogs by in state residences, 35 out of state  and 41 cats were adopted by in state residents  and 6 cats by out of state residents.  

The kennels and cat rooms were full on the day of a visit to the DCHS. This being a no kill shelter, it was asked if they ever weren’t full of animals and was told when they weren’t full, that animals scheduled to be put down from other Counties’  kill shelters were brought here for housing until they were adopted.