THE GAZETTE has received a plea from the H. Dale Buck Animal Welfare Memorial Fund, a fine organization that does so much to rescue and find homes for stray and unwanted pets.
The note from the fund’s board of directors points out that the tornado that destroyed Greensburg also forced many people in that town to leave pets behind when they were evacuated. The Pratt County Humane Society stepped in to collect and take in these strays. The result was an influx of more than 340 animals into the shelter.
Many of those animals have been reclaimed by their owners, but the shelter still has 21 dogs and 60 cats that have not been claimed.
The emergency is a budget-wrecker for the humane society, which is likely to be caring for its extra boarders for a long time to come.
The Buck Fund is preparing a donation for the Pratt County group and would like animal lovers in the Emporia area to add their donations to the total. To make a donation, call the fund at 343-3377 or send a check to Buck Fund, P.O. Box 1613, Emporia, KS 66801. Checks should be made payable to the Pratt County Humane Society.
Want to do even more for animals? The Buck Fund itself could use some help. It needs a cargo van or pickup truck with a topper to carry animals. The vehicle need not be new, but it should be in sound condition.
The Buck Fund says the donation of such a vehicle would be tax-deductible. Consider the advantages. But for now, the furry refugees from Greensburg need help.
Write a check today.
Patrick S. Kelley
Editorial Page Editor