Due to flooding in eastern Missouri, and other unusual circumstances to take care of, the Carthage Humane Society has signed on 30 more animals.

David Butler, manager of the Carthage Humane Society, said four rabbits and approximately 10 dogs from St. Louis, and 20 dogs from Lebanon were brought to the Carthage location. An 80-year-old woman with a private licensed kennel in Lebanon was overpopulated with approximately 130 Yorkies, Pomeranians and Chiwawas.
“She was licensed, she just had too many,” Butler said.

The Southwest Missouri Humane Society in Springfield asked for the help of the Carthage location to relieve their facilities for additional animals suffering from the flooded areas. Butler said this Humane Society has used the Carthage facilities in the past. Before the recent shipments of 30 animals, the Carthage facility already housed 60 dogs and cats, bringing the total count to 90.

“We’ve held up to 120 before, but we’re pretty much at capacity,” Butler said. “We just need to be aggressive in our adoption processes, and ask for foster homes for some of these animals. The foster care has helped out a lot in the past with the cats.”

In 2004, the Carthage Humane Society was involved in rescuing approximately 100 horses from the Republic, Mo., area, and housed 40 of them.

“That was an ordeal,” Butler said, thinking back four years ago. “We had a woman donate $30,000 to us, and we used every bit of it.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, the 20 dogs from Lebanon, Mo., were waiting to be bathed, groomed and have their nails clipped. Two of the rabbits were waiting on the final processes of being adopted.

“They’re adjusting well,” Butler said.

A significant help to the Carthage Humane Society, Butler said, was the transportation assistance from Hunte Corporation, an animal brokerage in Goodman, Mo.

“They have been extremely helpful in times like this,” Butler said.

For anyone wishing to adopt, or foster, which is temporarily housing an animal, donate funds to the non-profit organization, or donate hay for the 10 horses at the facility, contact the humane society at (417) 358-6402. The facility is located at 13860 Dog Kennel Lane, which is off the Cedar exit on Hwy 71.