PCHS queries Batesville Board for neutering help

By John Howell

Panola County Humane Society spokesperson Margaret Eubanks told Batesville’s mayor and aldermen that PCHS had spent over $18,000 to spay and neuter dogs during the first five months of 2014.

Eubanks asked city officials to consider help with funding for the spay/neuter program.

“Right now, your city pound is full; our foster program is maxed; as of Sunday afternoon there were 15 dogs in your city pound that we are desperately searching for a way to pull those animals out so that we can get them adopted,” Eubanks said.

Eubanks said that PCHS had twice received grant funding for spay and neuter from the DJT Foundation. 

“We have less than $3,000 left of this grant, and when it is gone we will personally have to keep fund-raising,” said Eubanks, who had also appealed to the Panola County Board of Supervisors.

“I would hope that you gentlemen might consider looking at this and brainstorming or helping us find a way to get a spay/neuter program,” Eubanks said.

PCHS has used grant funds to provide funding for low income Panola residents who want to spay or neuter dogs.

“If we don’t spay or neuter, these dogs are breeding machines,” Eubanks continued. “It’s unsustainable,” she said.

In addition to providing low cost spay and neuter with grant money, the PCHS provides initial foster care for stray dogs to be adopted through the Great Dog and Homeward Bound programs. 

Eubanks had attended the July 14 meeting of the Panola County Board of Supervisors when Sheriff Dennis Darby announced that his department has received a $4,000 grant for spaying and neutering pets. 

Anyone interested in applying for assistance should contact administrative assistant Robbie Haley at the Sheriff’s Department.