Humane Society reports 2022 was big year for rescues

PORT CLINTON - Humane Society of Ottawa County director Lesa Heredia reported last year was a big year for her organization and it included taking in 37 cats from one home and 43 animals from another home.

A total of 247 animals came into the shelter last year and 189 of those were cats or kittens. The remaining 58 were dogs or puppies.

"We saw 220 fantastic pets happily join their forever families," Heredia added in a report.

"We also had a couple of large intakes. In May, 37 cats-kittens were taken from an Ottawa County home. All of them were tested, vaccinated and spayed or neutered at a cost of just over $4,500," she said.

The following month, June, saw an intake of 43 total animals from one home. This included two dogs, 28 adult cats and 16 kittens. Veterinarian costs for these pets topped $6,000.

"Keeping in mind the cattery at the shelter can comfortably hold 70 to 80 cats, we were bursting at the seams," Heredia said.

Kitten season seemed never ending and the shelter still has kittens that are only two months old.

"While we could not take in every kitten found by Ottawa County residents, we were able to accept 114 kittens under 8 weeks old," she said.

The low cost spay/neuter certificate program that Oak Harbor Veterinary Hospital has participated in again saw 126 animals spay/neutered, saving Ottawa County residents a total of more than $10,000.

"The program has grown each year and we couldn't be happier to play a small part in helping that happen," she reported.

Heredia reported the humane society enjoyed success with some of its annual fundraisers such as the Yard Sale and Cookie Walk. The society also took part in new fundraisers as well.

"We had a great time at 1812 Food and Spirits with the new Walk About Tasting. In the fall, Mutach's held two events on our behalf. We'd like to thank everyone that supported us in various ways throughout the year," Heredia added.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Humane Society took in 247 animals in 2022, found homes for 220