Toccoa Animal Shelter Steps Up Fundraising Efforts

The Toccoa Stephens County Humane Shelter is increasing its fundraising efforts in response to the recent decision by the Stephens County Board of Commissioners to fund just $10,000 of a $25,000 request.

Earlier this month, the Board cited concerns funds allocated to the shelter were not being spent wisely.

Shelter Board members refuted those concerns but have turned to increasing their fundraising efforts to make up the $15,000 difference.

One fundraiser involves shows at the Toccoa Ritz Theatre, according to Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter Board Member Tina Morris.

“We’ve increased our fundraising. We try to have events through the Ritz and this is just one part of our fundraising. We’ve increased it to four events and we’ve been given advertising monies for that. We have one coming up on March 4 is The Return—a Beetles Tribute Band; Karen Morgan is a comedian and she’s going to be here on April 29, and we have the Malpass Brothers on August 18 and the Swinging Medallions on October 14. We feel very good at this point, with some of the sponsorships that have come in. We invite everyone to come out because the money will go to the shelter,” she said.

Morris says during the previous fiscal year, the shelter took in 1,392 animals.

Last year, the shelter received $45,836.22 in donations, $43,416.72 through fundraising efforts, $47,344 through dog adoptions, and $43,451.33 through cat adoptions for a total of just over $180,000.

Additionally, Morris said anyone interested in making a financial donation can do so online at tschs.org or by coming to the shelter, located at 1747 Scenic Drive, in Toccoa.

Recently the Toccoa Shelter also received $3,000 from Pet Smart for adopting out 250 animals through the Pet Smart store in Gainesville.

For additional information about the increased fundraising efforts by the shelter can contact the shelter by calling 706-282-3275.