Alcona Humane Society History
In April 1999, a small group of community members
gathered at the fire hall in Lincoln to discuss their mutual
concerns about the welfare of homeless animals in our
county. The group included Dr. Kathy Jo Schwartz DVM, Walter
Scott, Pat Mandeville, Heather Trump, Pam Burt and Irv
Weiner. At the time, stray dogs and cats in the county were
being handled by the Alcona Animal clinic. In the shared
belief that Alcona County desperately needed its own animal
Shelter where homeless dogs and cats could be cared for and
adopted out to good homes, this group began to plant the
seeds for forming a humane society.
Spearheading the group was Walter Scott, aged 92, who
promised to make a significant contribution if sufficient
community support could be mustered. Waiting in Mr. Scotts'
car that night in April 1999 was a rescue dog that he had
adopted from an shelter several years before, his beloved
dachshund, Doc.
One month later, in May 1999, a community-wide meeting held
at Maria Hall in Harrisville was attended by nearly 100
animal lovers who made a strong showing of support. A
non-profit corporation was formed with four of the members
of the original group serving on the first board of
directors. Starting with a generous donation from Walter
Scott, the Society quickly began to raise funds from
numerous sources, including grants from the Herrick
Foundation and other organizations, individuals and school
students and numerous fund raising projects. By July 2000,
more than $110,000. had been raised towards the estimated
cost of $230,000 for a new animal shelter.
In October of 2001 shortly after Walter Scott turned the
first shovel of dirt at the groundbreaking for the new
shelter, he passed away. Mr. Scott left a generous bequest
to Alcona Humane Society which, along with additional grant
money and the ongoing generosity of Alcona Residents,
provided sufficient funds to build a state-of-the-art animal
shelter on Traverse Bay State Road in Lincoln, on land
donated by the Lincoln downtown Development Authority.
The success of the new animal shelter, which opened its
doors in June 2002, can best be measured by the number of
homeless animals adopted to good homes. The shelter stands
as a tribute to the love and generosity of the Alcona County
residents. The shelter not only offers a safe harbor for
homeless animals, it provides a place where youths,
including troubled ones, come on a daily basis to help care
for animals who give them unconditional love and self pride
in return.
As it has from the start, Alcona Humane Society continues to
grow and expand its services. We currently have a SNIP (spay
and neuter incentive program).