Thanks to the generosity of Shelby resident, Elizabeth Haines, the Richland County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center is receiving $77,986.47 as part of her will. Attorney Jeff Ream discussed the details of Haines’ donation during the county commissioners’ regular meeting Tuesday.
Ream noted, “It’s an unrestricted bequest, so there are no restrictions, dedications, or particular uses [that Haines desires] for the funds.”
He said that Haines was dedicated to the protection of animals and has faith that the organization will use the money fittingly.
How the funds will be used has yet to be determined. Commissioner Tim Wert suggested, “I’d like to see it held in perpetuity and use the interests from an investment for a spay and neuter program for our county.”
Dog Warden Dave Jordan said, “We certainly appreciate this and we’ll have to look at our budgetary needs and decide the road to go.”
He further noted that the dog shelter has seen a steady decline of adoptions over the past five years, which he attributed to the economy. “However, because of the spay and neuter policy that’s in effect now, we have seen fewer and fewer dogs come in,” he said.
In 2000, the shelter welcomed about 300 dogs monthly, and now the average number has diminished to about 70-80 dogs monthly, Jordan said. He added, “The number of dogs coming in now is very manageable through combination of adoptions and rescues. We’ve had the luxury of being no-kill for probably five years now.”
In addition to the dog shelter, Haines willed funds to the Richland County Chapter of the American Red Cross, First United Methodist Church of Shelby (her home church), Shelby Help Line Ministries, the Salvation Army, the Marvin Memorial Library, and the Humane Society of Richland County.
The donations amount to over $900,000. Apart from the humane society and the dog shelter (which will each receive a half share of $77,986.47) the rest of the organizations will each receive a full share of $155,972.94.
“She needs to be applauded for her philanthropic giving,” Commissioner Ed Olson commented.
Haines passed away July 25, 2013. Ream noted that she has seven nieces and nephews and no children or surviving spouse.
He said she retired from Shelby Mutual and lived frugally.
“She’s a real saint,” Ream said. “Even in her lifetime, she was very charitable to a lot of organizations, even beyond the ones she favored in her will.”
“She needs to be applauded for her philanthropic giving,” Commissioner Ed Olson commented.
