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).