Donations stream in for clinics

SANDPOINT — Despite widespread economic concerns, local donations are streaming in to two cash-strapped organizations, but more is needed to ensure their long-term survival.

Citing a drop in donations and grants, both the Bonner Humane Society and the Bonner Partners in Care Clinic recently announced they would be forced to close unless more donations come in.

The humane society shut its doors early this month, but representatives from the organization are hopeful the spay and neuter clinic will be able to reopen in the near future.

 The society has already collected $7,000 in donations, but needs another $43,000 before it can reopen, according to Velta Ashbrook, who serves as secretary for the society’s board of directors.

Bonner Partners in Care Clinic, while still struggling, did not have to shut down while it raises the $6,000 needed to continue operations. In just two weeks, the clinic has raised $3,700 toward its goal, according to clinic director Catherine Perusse.

“The response this week has just been unbelievable,” Perusse said.

An anonymous foundation has agreed to contribute as much as $54,000 to the clinic via a nine-to-one matching grant, which means the foundation will give $9 for every $1 donation. According Perusse, the money needs to be raised by the end of July.

Perusse said $60,000 would be enough to keep the clinic in business for more than a year. During that time, clinic officials will search out more grants and plan a fundraiser.

While Ashbrook is hopeful that Bonner Humane Society will reach its goal, she said there is a contingency plan in place if the money dries up. If they cannot raise the full $50,000, the society plans on using whatever money it has to temporarily subsidize spay and neuter services at other area clinics.

To contribute to the humane society, send checks to Bonner Humane Society at 900 Westwood Drive, Sandpoint, ID, 83864. To learn more about how you can help, leave a message at 263-9282 and a humane society representative will get back to you. To donate to the Bonner Partners in Care Clinic, call Perusse at 255-9099 or send checks to Bonner Partners in Care Clinic, 1020 Michigan St., Sandpoint, ID, 83864.