Humane Society knows how to be kind to animals
Post-Tribune (IN)
April 30, 1999
The Hobart Humane Society will mark the start of "Be Kind to Animals Week" by hosting an two-day open house this weekend.
"We want people to come and see our place and see how we take care of the animals," said Carol Konopacki, director of the Humane Society, which for more than four decades has taken in an endless stream of stray animals and unwanted pets.
On any given day Konopacki and her assistants care for as many as 115 animals - from stray cats and dogs to the more exotic pot-bellied pig.
"We get bunnies, ferrets, gerbils and even, iguanas. One day somebody brought in a goat," said Konopacki, who has managed the animal shelter at 2054 E. Indiana 130 for 15 years.
"We take just about anything except for snakes. Nobody here wants to take care of snakes," she said of nine-member staff.
The shelter underwent a $35,000 facelift late last year to expand office space and give visitors more space to interact with pets they might adopt.
"Most people still want kittens and puppies, but a growing number of people are willing to adopt adult animals," Konopacki said.
She said 70 percent of the pets brought to the humane society kennels in February and March were adopted.
Prospective pet owners are asked to pay a $70 fee to cover the cost of having puppies and kittens vaccinated. A $45 fee is requested to have adult felines and canines spayed or neutered.
The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.