Within 48 hours of launching the Fix-A-Bully program, the Humane Society of McDonough County (HSMC) had 10 applicants for 12 dogs, according to one of the organizers. Applications are available on the Humane Society’s website at (hsmcil.org).
“We are incredibly grateful to the community for the support, especially with the shelter experiencing more intake than adoptions right now,” said Courtney Duckwiler. “We still have funds available, and after this round is done, we’ll keep going!”
Donations can be made at tinyurl.com/McDonoughFix-ABully, as well as directly to the HSMC, with the memo noting ‘Fix-A-Bully.’ To date, close to $5,575 has been raised for the program. The bully breed refers to the American Bully or a member of the bully breeds group, which includes dogs like the American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and English Bulldog … and is often a group of dogs that are found by the dozens upon dozens in animal shelters across the U.S. because of their wrongfully reviled reputation.
The humane society’s “Fix-A-Bully” program provides free spays or neuters for owners of bully breeds, regardless of the owner’s financial situation. If an individual qualifies for state or local benefits, they’re asked to complete a county voucher to utilize the low-income portion of the program. An inaugural fundraiser, “Fix-A-Bully” Bingo was held July 11 at the Bushnell VFW, with over $2,700 raised for the new initiative, plus another $2,000 match from donors Gloria (Caldwell), formerly of Macomb, and Ed Vankan.
For more information on the “Fix-A-Bully” program, call (309) 351-3388 or e-mail [email protected].
