Established nearly 30 years ago the Humane Society of Freeborn County is an all-volunteer organization that provides lost, abandoned or surrendered animals with the support and care they deserve. Owing to the outstanding provisions made available by the people of Freeborn County and an anonymous donor, the HSFC will soon break ground on a completely new and forward-looking facility for these animals.

However, the buildings themselves are just part of what’s needed in furnishing our homeless animals with living quarters that are healthy, comfortable, safe and serene. Freeborn County residents are called upon to ensure that funding is available for requisite interior improvements such as stand-alone cat townhouses, washer/dryer, refrigerator, and dishwasher and much more. To accomplish these goals the HSFC asks for your participation as we stage a series of fundraising events throughout the summer months and year.

Earlier this year Albert Lea, along with the HSFC, was awarded the 2009-10 Local Government Innovations Award from the Twin Cities-based Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs (see the story in the April 16 issue of the Albert Lea Tribune). This was in recognition of the city and Humane Society’s progressive spirit in incorporating new and innovative building concepts as well as modern methods in the sheltering of lost and abandoned animals.

One basic-yet-novel approach is in maintaining a separation between cats and dogs. In the current facility, located at the former city pound at the foot of Frank Hall Drive, cats and dogs share the same space, presenting not only a challenge to volunteers as they go about attending to the animals, but imparting an additional traumatic stress to the sheltered cats. We welcome this change as it will be an improved environment for everyone.

The HSFC is looking for sponsors to take over or assist us with our operating costs and various overhead bills. Christa DeBoer Stieler, the director of the Humane Society of Freeborn County, has asked that someone might donate for a month or on a monthly basis or make a lump sum payment on the electric, water, food, litter, medicines or veterinary bills. This would be of such service to the animals as we want to provide the best care possible for them so they will be relaxed and healthy which makes them more adoptable.

We are also in the process of upgrading our website and adding new initiatives such as the HSFC feral cat program the objective of which is in seeing a dramatic reduction in the feral cat population through spaying and neutering farm and town cats. Through this we will see a subsequent decrease in abuse and abandonment cases. HSFC Vice President Dee Amberg is credited with devising this valuable program. Feral cats are often victims of abandonment, accidental loss and deserve just as much care as our pets.

Other exciting programs are in the works such as a food bank for pet owners who are finding it financially challenging to properly feed their pets. Many pets are abandoned or surrendered because families cannot afford the pet food. We would like to change this so they can keep their animal family members.

Our pets contribute so much to our lives, in so many different ways it is hard to conceive of our lives without them. The ultimate goal of the city of Albert Lea and the Humane Society of Freeborn County is to make certain that we treat these animals that are lost, abandoned or surrendered with the love, care and respect they deserve while they are entrusted to us.

Please go to our website for details at: www.hsffc.org or join us for our monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 6:15 p.m. held at Hardee’s Restaurant, 1147 S. Broadway Ave, Albert Lea, in the corner meeting room.

We will be having two fundraisers this month — a breakfast June 12 at Applebee’s from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., and on June 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at Hy-Vee — KATE Radio, Hy-Vee along with Purina are sponsoring a pet parade, prizes, goodie bags. Bring your pet or come by yourself. Join us for some fun!

For the Third of July Parade we will be on the KATE Radio float. Look for us at that time. We will be accepting donations.

Look for us at the Albert Lea Farmers Market on Saturdays starting in July.

Nancy Rosenberg is a member of the Humane Society of Freeborn County.