By Julia Daniels | Posted: Sat 7:31 PM, May 02, 2020 | Updated: Sat 11:03 PM, May 02, 2020
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) The Humane Society of Bay County hosted its first Community Day Saturday morning. The special day was put in place after the shelter had to close last Sunday, and people in need could no longer walk in during normal business hours and pick up pet necessities.
The animal shelter will still be hosting low cost shot clinics and other community days in the future. (WJHG/WECP)
“Being that we are temporarily closed, we have had time to go through what we have and separate what we need and what we don’t need. We have plenty of stuff here for the shelter, so when we do open back up, we are not going to go without. This is just everything that we don’t need that we have an abundance of,” said Lauryn Gill, shelter manager.
President of the Humane Society of Bay County, Mary Gauden, said these programs are needed to keep the circle of giving going.
“We are a community organization, and we are funded by the community, so it’s always been part of our mission to give back,” said Gauden.
The Humane Society does have criteria you must meet in order to participate in the giveaway based upon welfare, income, and household size.
“If your check is short, it happens, and we are here to help. We aren’t charging anything, we are just giving it away,” said Gill.
“We want to keep the pets in homes, not have to be in shelters, so that’s what this program is really about. Making sure that person that needs help doesn’t have to choose between feeding and giving up that animal,” said Gauden.
The line at the shelter was long.
“Everyone has been really sweet and understanding. There is that wait, but people are sticking it out with us. For those that have appointments, we are doing it appointment-based, but also walk up. Of course, we will help those who have that appointment set first, but if you just hang tight, we will get to you next,” said Gill.
The main concern of the shelter is monetary donations. They are not accepting food or supply donations at this time, but they are in need of monetary donations, so when they do open back up, they can stay open.
For more information on donations and upcoming events, you can visit the Humane Society of Bay County Facebook page.
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