Humane Society of the Ouachitas happenings

Submitted by Cheryl Murphy

HSO elects 2023 board of directors

The 2023 Board of Directors for the Humane Society of the Ouachitas (HSO) was elected at its Jan. 19 membership meeting. According to its bylaws, HSO is a membership organization and the members elect its Board each year to manage the Society’s business affairs.

The bylaws also state Board Members shall serve on a voluntary basis. This is why HSO can proudly say “100% of donations go the animals.” There are no administrative costs.

Since 1978, when the organizers envisioned, founded and filed the Articles of Incorporation for HSO, dedicated animal lovers have kept HSO going strong for 45 years with financial gifts and volunteerism. HSO has grown from a grass-roots effort to a professional organization, gaining attention from corporate donors whose grants filter down to assist the community through HSO’S low-cost spay-neuter and vaccination programs.

HSO’s dedicated paid staff keep up with daily care of the shelter pets, shelter operations, and pet adoptions, which local giving helps to support. Volunteers fill all the gaps.

“This is my 16th year as an HSO volunteer,” Board Secretary Cheryl Murphy stated. “I’m proud to volunteer for this fine organization. We have many other volunteers who have served upward and over 10 years. We welcome and appreciate new volunteers! There is no ego here. There is stability and transparency. At every monthly meeting, the treasurer presents the current financials for all to see and question. I know my gifts are spent wisely for the animals. Forty-five years is a true testimony to HSO’s integrity.”

HSO collection banks

Have you noticed the bright yellow dog and smiling white kitty banks around town? Let us introduce you to Pogo the Dog and Miss Kitty. They love to be “fed.” Whatever coins and paper you can spare from your pocket or purse, thank you for feeding our little donation banks.

It’s a blessing for our shelter pets at Humane Society of the Ouachitas (HSO), and it all adds up Our volunteer collection team, Wendy Syfrett and her mom, Ruth Gray, dutifully make the rounds to collect the gifts from the banks. In 2022, our supporters gave $1,452.02 feeding our animal banks.

HSO continues to help pets because of your generosity. You can feed our banks cash, write a check and slip it in the bank or mail to HSO, P.O. Box 845, Mena, AR, 71953, or visit our website to give online with a card at hsomena. org

For more information to adopt, to give, to volunteer, to become a member, to attend a meeting, and to help pets in need in Polk County, visit hsomena.org or call 479-394-5682 or email hsoshelter@outlook.com.

For current news, visit facebook. com/hsomena.

HSO’s tagline is “Where your best friend is waiting.” Find your best furry friend at HSO.

HSO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.