Local Humane Society moves forward

Founding members of the Humane Society of Wickenburg (HSOW) are celebrating their progress as a group.

After a month of research and planning, the society this month formally filed incorporation papers with the Arizona Corporation Commission.

The society's first governing board will include President Natalee Rallo, Vice President/Treasurer Elizabeth Powell, and Secretary Debi Main. Once confirmation is received from the Arizona Corporation Commission, and the articles of incorporation are published, the group will host its first board meeting.

The board will adopt the articles and bylaws and activate committees to begin planning fundraisers, public and youth education, spay/neuter programs, foster care, and most importantly the construction of an actual shelter.

The board also plans to name a task force, which will be charged with leadership, coordination, and representation of the group.

The society gives special thanks to Jim McArthur and the staff of McArthur and McGuire for providing their services pro bono in the incorporation process. The next step in organizing the group will be to initiate non-profit 50(c)(3) status with the IRS, which will provide tax-exempt status to the group and allow donors a tax write-off for contributions.

Steve Cole of Cole Accounting will provide his services to help the group with the complicated and lengthy process.

The society has celebrated another success. During the Labor Day weekend, kennel space at Bar S Animal Clinic was once again needed to board animals. With six dogs recently picked up by Wickenburg Animal control, space was tight.

Thanks to the cooperation of Dr. Rick Regusa and his staff, the society was able to take its foster care program for a trial run. It provided temporary homes for two dogs and ensured that no animals were euthanized for lack of space.

Anyone interested in providing short- or long-term foster care for dogs or cats is invited to sign up at the HSOW Web site at www.wickenburghumane.org or call 684-8801.

Since the society's first meeting, Rallo and Powell have received dozens of calls from individuals wishing to join and/or support the society. They have been joined by Julia Holland and Linda Darby in their research and planning.

Holland previously worked at Bar S Animal Clinic, caring for the town's stray animals, and has been researching and coordinating a foster care program. The program is needed to provide an immediate solution to the space constraints at Bar S, which precipitated the formation of the group.

Holland creates weekly flyers with pictures of available pets for adoption, and those pets are included on the society's Web site.

Darby is researching available funding, including grants and possible fundraisers. She joins the group with a commitment to community service and a passion for animal welfare.

Now that the Humane Society of Wickenburg is incorporated, the group has plans for a number of programs, events, and fundraisers. ALCO of Wickenburg is sponsoring a "Cutest Pet Contest" with all proceeds to benefit the society. To enter the contest, bring a picture of a cute pet to the ALCO store during the month of September, where it will be displayed for patrons to vote on their favorite pet.

Winning pets will receive a gift basket containing pet treats and supplies. Any type of pet is eligible to enter, including dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, birds, and horses.

The society's first fundraiser will be a membership drive, and individuals, families, pets, and other organizations will have the opportunity to become founding members of the society.

The group hopes to have bumper stickers or adhesive window clings and apparel containing the society's logo available for membership incentives and purchase. The next event and fundraiser will be Wickenburg's Annual Dog Show, which the Del Webb Center for Performing Arts has allowed the society to take over.

The dog show will be planned by the task force, which hopes to expand the event to include vendors and educational booths to help promote the group's purpose.

The society is also researching youth humane education programs and animal rescue resources. It is researching state, county, and municipal programs, spay/neuter resources, and regulations of animal care and control to plan activities and programs for the Wickenburg community.

While many events and programs are being planned, the main focus is on the construction of a humane animal shelter in Wickenburg. Earlier this month, Rallo and Holland toured the Arizona Animal Welfare League's facility in Phoenix for ideas, insight and advice on shelter operations, programs, and construction.

In addition, Holland and Kathy Guerriero made a trip to Kanab, Utah, to tour Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the country's largest no-kill shelter. Several other animal shelters, including Maricopa County Animal Care and Control, Coconino County Humane Society, and the Humane Society of Young County in Graham, Texas, have been contacted and generously provided advice and information.

Information has also been requested from several companies specializing in shelter construction. There are a number of issues that must be considered when building a shelter, including zoning, drainage and air circulation systems, and the type of materials used for kennels.

While the need for a full-service humane animal shelter in Wickenburg is immediate, the group is committed to researching all aspects and making informed, carefully considered decisions before breaking ground.

Until a shelter is up and running, the group will utilize volunteer foster homes to meet immediate needs in the community.

Individuals interested in contributing to the Humane Society of Wickenburg can either mail donations to P.O. Box 147, Wickenburg, AZ, 85358, or make a donation at Bank of America or Meridian Bank in Wickenburg.

For more information on membership, foster care, donations, and upcoming activities, log on to www.wickenburghumane.org or call 684-8801.

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