Serving our 4-footed friends

WYANDOT COUNTY — The Wyandot County Humane Society (WCHS), HOPE Clinic and Equine Rescue are on a mission to save lives — of the furry, four-footed variety. Founded in 1985 by Dave and Lynda Balz after their retirement, the Wyandot County Humane Society was an extension of the service-centered mindset of the couple. Dave had worked as a physician's assistant, said Matt Heitman, a veterinarian at the clinic, and Lynda worked for years as Child Support Administrator at Wyandot County Job and Family Services. Starting the humane society was another way to serve, Heitman said. "They are extraordinarily dedicated," he said. The Balzes started the Wyandot humane society out of their garage, Heitman said, after witnessing how strays were handled in the county. They wanted to offer an alternative, and began taking in area animals. What began as a simple endeavor in their garage began to grow, and "in 1992 the garage was expanded into a 4,000-square-foot shelter with 14 indoor/outdoor community dog kennels, separate areas for cats, critters and wildlife," according to wyhumane.org. "Chickens, pigs, goats, sheep, pocket pets, birds, tortoises, turtles, snakes, other reptiles and even a monkey have been offered a safe haven," it states. In 1993, the Balzes expanded their vision, opening the HOPE (Helping our Pets Everywhere) Clinic adjacent to the humane society building. According to wyhumane.org, "they transformed the on-site barn into the area's only low-cost spay/neuter clinic. The facility was totally rebuilt with fully equipped operating areas and holding/recovery kennels for 60 animals." Heitman said HOPE performs approximately 9,000 surgeries per year. "We are incredibly busy all year," he said. Millie Thelen, shelter manager, stressed the importance of having animals, whether pets or stray, spayed or neutered. "Many people don't know the scope of need and volume of animals out there," she said. "There are thousands of stray animals, and ensuring they are spayed or neutered can help bring down the number of animals without homes." In addition to spay and neuter services, HOPE also treats animals that arrive at Wyandot Humane Society's facilities sick or injured. That commitment includes caring for creatures at the Equine Rescue that was added to the Balzes' purview in 2003. The Equine Rescue, Thelen said, was launched after the Balzes "bought a farm" in the Carey area and designed the pasture space to accommodate the requirements of different farm animals. "The Wyandot County Equine Rescue has housed horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, minis, alpacas and other hooved species from all over Ohio and several midwestern states," the website states. Thelen said the adoption rate at the equine rescue is high, noting that "local farmers are very supportive." Animals from the equine center have been placed as pasture pals and pets, she said, and sometimes are sought simply due to a "love of horses." The center works with a horse trainer out of Georgia who assists equine center staff members, who also has adopted animals from the rescue. Thelan said approximately 65 equines typically are housed at the Carey facility. According to the website, "The farm is equipped to take in any equine in need of help, operating in compliance with all American Association of Equine Practitioners," and never turns away an equine being surrendered. Regulations at the Wyandot County Humane Society require all dogs and cats brought to the facility be from within Wyandot County, while all other species can be from anywhere, Thelan said. In addition, every adopted animal is spayed/neutered, microchipped and fully vaccinated at HOPE before leaving for a new home. "No animal is every turned away," Heitman said. The shelter even serves as a haven for wildlife. Wyandot County Humane Society is an ODNR and USFWS licensed wildlife rehabilitation center, the website states, "helping virtually all species of injured and orphaned wildlife." Thelan said regulations are in place for wildlife that can be accepted by the shelter, and educating the public about wildlife encounters is an essential component to Wyandot's full-service approach to caring for animals in need. With the broad scope of services provided by WCHS, the HOPE clinic, and the Equine Rescue, dedicated staff and funding are critical to continued success at the facility. Two years after opening the humane society, Thelan said the Balzes' began a fundraising activity that continues today, providing vast resources for the shelter. Charitable Bingo, she said, takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the WCHS Bingo Hall, 995 E. Wyandot Ave. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and Bingo starts at 7 p.m., according to the website. Thelan also said the couple received a large donation from Bob Barker early in the shelter's formation, which helped pay for the surgery room and table. Barker, who hosted "The Price is Right" for many years, was a strong advocate for having pets spayed/neutered. Donations also are crucial to WCHS, including financial gifts, and the shelter accepts "all used or new pet supplies, pet food, toys, blankets, cloth materials, household items, cleaning supplies and wish list items," the website states. The humane society receives no local, state or federal funding, Thelan said. Welcoming, treating and caring for the vast number of animals at WCHS truly is a labor of love, and staff at the facility includes "32 full- and part-time employees," according to the website. Thelan said that includes two veterinarians, 3-4 veterinary technicians, and 10-12 animal care workers, as well as equine facility staff. Thelan said she is grateful to be part of "a place that can service such a range of people and animals," and is "proud of what's been established" in Wyandot County. Heitman said he enjoys treating both small and large animals at WCHS, HOPE Clinic and the Equine Facility. "It works out beautifully," he said.