By early next week, any concerns about the Humane Society of the Flint Hills’ good standing with a state agency should be eliminated.
Director Stephanie Achille says the Humane Society has submitted all needed paperwork and fees to the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office this week. The process of returning the Humane Society to good standing typically takes up to five business days to complete.
The push to determine the Humane Society’s standing at the state level was made public late last week when Lyon County Assistant Counsel Mike Halleran mentioned concerns from county government about the Secretary of State’s online presence saying the Humane Society hadn’t filed annual reports since 2019 and had thus forfeited its good standing. Both Achille and Becky Smith, an Emporia city commissioner and Humane Society board member, had said they had received verbal word the Humane Society was in good standing and nothing to the contrary had developed during the agency’s most recent inspection process.
Lyon County will likely end its relationship with the Humane Society and Emporia Animal Shelter for animal quarantines Thursday when Sheriff Jeff Cope presents a contract with a currently unnamed entity. Concerns about available space and shelter funding came to light in late January.
These steps come as the Animal Shelter continues to raise funds after the Jordan’s Way Tour came to Emporia on Monday. Over $2,500 has been generated so far, with this fundraising effort officially ending early next week.
