In Fiscal Year October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018, the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, now known as Second Chance Animal Shelters, had revenues of $1,387,978.  Local governments have 100 % responsibility for the enforcement of state and local laws regulating animal control in the protection of the health, safety and welfare of its citizens when it takes into custody or impounds wild and domestic animals yet their contractual fees to the Second Chance Shelters were less than 40% of those revenues.  The Second Chance Shelters depended upon its donors, grants, and fundraising to raise sufficient revenues to cover the costs of providing the services the governments are statutorily required to provide. 

 

While the revenues may sound like a lot of money you may wonder how the tax dollars for fees for services are spent.  Here are some facts. 

 

Our current annual shelter staff payroll, including taxes, is approximately $630,000.  This cost alone exceeds the total amount the three local governments pay for services they alone are mandated to provide.  Medications for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 exceeded $120,000.  These two costs (staff and medications) total $750,000.  There are added costs for emergency veterinary services, insurance and licenses required by our government contracts, food for the animals, maintenance, and utilities. 

 

It takes money and more to care for the discarded and unwanted animals in our county.  It takes a community.  We are grateful to all those in our community-- the rescues, the volunteers, our donors and employees--who assist in our mission.  With a united effort we can continue to provide for those animals that look to us for their second chance.