Animal Shelter To Close After 3 Decades Of Service
MINNEAPOLS (WCCO) -- After three decades, the Minnesota Valley Humane Society in Burnsville said it has to close its doors by the end of the year due to ongoing financial struggles.
"The financial support just was not there, it's not only us being impacted, but small businesses and other non profits everywhere," said Lynae Gieseke, the executive director of the Minnesota Valley Humane Society.
Gieseke said ever year anywhere from 2500 to 3500 animals come through the Minnesota Valley Humane Society, and while the animals kept coming in, the money and fundraising did not.
She fought back tears as she thought of her future. Fifteen employees will lose their jobs. Employees were notified of the closure in a meeting Wednesday morning and volunteers and supporters were notified via email today. Gieseke said the organization began in 1981 and opened their building in 1991.
"My life has really gone to the animals. We are in various stages of grief and loss here today. We are very proud of the legacy that we are leaving: 50,000 new homes for animals over the years," she said.
Currently the shelter has 10 kittens, 32 cats, 14 dogs, nine rabbits and four birds. They'll take in new animals until Dec. 12 and will find homes and shelters for the pets that aren't adopted by Dec. 31, the day the doors close for good.
Board chair Cathy McCoy said the organization made all the cutbacks it could, including downsizing staff, ending all animal sterilizations in October of 2009 and closing the shelter to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays last year. The organizations also cites the costs of rising health care, heating and other operational costs, along with fewer donors all as reasons causing their closure.
Kay Smith has volunteered at the humane society for almost twenty years, and she fought back tears for another reason. She said the end could have been prevented, citing poor leadership and mismanaged money.
"I'm really angry, to take this shelter of 20 years and drive it into the ground," said Smith. She cited a capital campaign that raised $630,000 in eight years.
"They have made poor decisions, poor financial decisions, you could talk to 50 volunteers who would agree. I think the worst thing that would happen is somebody would come here with $2 million because the current management would not ... is not capable," said Smith.
Smith said she also worries more animals in the area will suffer.
"The south metro has to have a humane society," said Smith. "The population out here needs this facility."
In the business of saving animals, both budgets and hearts are at stake. Lynae Gieseke said a small group of volunteers created the divide, adding they "have an axe to grind." She maintains in these times, just like these animals, the shelter too was helpless.
"We are leaving a tremendous legacy and I hope people miss us when we are gone," said Gieseke.
People interested in adoption can visit the shelter starting this weekend, on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., on 1313 Highway 13 East in Burnsville.
WCCO-TV's Lindsey Seavert Reports
