The Humane Society of the Flint Hills is deep in the “idea phase” for potentially growing its local operations.
During an appearance on KVOE’s Talk of Emporia Friday, Humane Society Director Stephanie Achille says fundraising for that purpose will be a major focus for the agency over the course of 2023. According to Achille, the last significant expansion or update came in the early 2000s when the current animal shelter was constructed.
Achille says at this time there are no definite plans for an expansion or specific fundraising events, however, she says that will be a continuous talking point for her and the board through the early half of the new year.
That announcement follows an “eventful” 2022 calendar year which saw the largest emergency intake in Emporia Animal Shelter history in October. According to Achille, of the nearly 90 animals taken in, about a dozen cats remain at the shelter, which remains slightly overcrowded at this time.
Overall in 2022, the shelter had a total of 450 intakes with just over 300 total adoptions. Achille tells KVOE News the animal shelter also managed to cut down the average time of stay to a month over the past year. The average duration of stay before 2022 was seven to nine months.
Additionally, Achille says the appointment of Chaney Besack as Emporia’s new Animal Control Officer will be a great resource to the Humane Society over the course of the next 12 months and beyond.
