CACHS board members from left, Ray Campagna, Cindy Unkenholt, Carol Sanger, Robin Tackett, and Carolyn Evans.
Batavia, Ohio – Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society (CACHS) will assume operations of the county animal shelter beginning on Jan. 1, 2018. The non-profit was approved today by Clermont County Commissioners as the shelter’s new operator for a one-year term, with the option to extend the contract for two additional years. The contract amount is for $310,000.
Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society and Clermont to the Rescue Humane Society both submitted proposals to the county in response to a Request for Proposal issued in September. Clermont to the Rescue currently manages the animal shelter, and has since Jan. 1, 2015. A three-person panel of county employees evaluated each proposal, interviewed representatives of both organizations, and recommended CACHS.
“We are excited to begin this new partnership with Clermont Animal CARE,” said David Uible, President of the Board of County Commissioners. “The organization’s community partnerships and the extensive experience of its Board of Directors and Advisory Board in animal welfare and rescue are impressive. Its proposal was ambitious and it has a number of plans that are ready to go.”
Clermont Animal CARE (Compassion, Advocacy, Rescue and Education) was formed earlier this year specifically to present a proposal to the Board of Commissioners to operate the shelter. Its Board of Directors and Advisory Board, which includes President Robin Tackett, Vice President Cindy Unkenholt, Executive Director Carolyn Evans, and Carol Sanger, have all been active in animal welfare, foster, and rescue groups.
These include Smith’s Pit Stop, My Furry Valentine, the League for Animal Welfare, and Save the Animals Foundation, among others. Its proposal emphasized its reliance on partnerships, and it included 17 letters of support.
CACHS presented an ambitious proposal that pledged to reduce shelter intake; accept owner surrenders; and engage the community by offering opportunities to volunteer, foster, donate and adopt. It plans to apply for grants, solicit donations and hold fundraising events. Its ultimate goal is to operate an open admissions, no-kill shelter. To date, it has raised $100,000 in donor pledges and $3,000 in spay/neuter subsidies.
“We are honored by the trust placed in us by the county, and we are committed to making Clermont County the model for open-intake, no-kill animal sheltering in the State of Ohio. Phasing in services and support for public-owned animals, we will strive to reach this status by the end of 2018,” Tackett said.
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