Bonner Humane Society closing

SANDPOINT — Bonner County Humane Society is closing — this time for good.

After 25 years of service in Bonner County, humane society officials said Wednesday that a lack of funding was forcing the clinic’s permanent closure. They blamed the funding shortfall on a local economy hard hit by the ongoing recession.

As a result, the humane society could not keep operating, Patti Fulton, Bonner Humane Society office manager, said.

“We would like to thank all of those who have supported us these many years,” she said. “It has been an honor to serve the community and our many companion friends.”

Humane society officials announced a fundraising push last month in an effort to keep the clinic open. A fundraiser was planned for mid-July and officials had submitted applications for several grants.

However, oficials decided to close the clinic, saying the clinic could no longer sustain itself.

The clinic will be in full operation until July 8 and will offer limited services the week of July 12, Fulton said.

Appointments may still be made between now and July 12 to spay or neuter dogs and cats as well as arrange for shots or wellness checksfor their pets.

Humane society clients may stop by the facility between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday to put up their pets’ files.

It’s the second time the humane society faced closing the clinic. Dwindling grants and donations forced the society to close its doors a year ago after offering discounted spay, neuter and vaccination services for 20 years.

A last-minute donation from an anonymous donor allowed the clinic to reopen in August 2009, but the humane society failed to attract enough community support to ensure its long-term survival.