craigdailypress.com

About 10 to 25 animals now could have a chance to transfer to a larger shelter, thanks to a fundraiser sponsored this weekend by the Humane Society of Moffat County.

The inaugural Bone Appetit Barbecue Dinner/Dance Saturday night at the OP Bar and Grill brought in about 75 to 80 people, Humane Society Treasurer Carol Scott said.

"We weren't really expecting that many," she said.

Although tickets were sold in advance, about 25 people bought tickets at the door.

Humane Society officials also weren't anticipating the more than $1,000 revenue the first fundraiser generated.

"With it being our first event, we really didn't know what to expect," she said.

Most of that sum will fund animals' transport to larger shelters in the state, Humane Society Secretary Pat Pearce said, adding that those costs make up the organization's main expense.

Currently, homeless animals are sheltered at Bear Creek Animal Hospital. However, Humane Society officials said, space in the facility is limited.

"We desperately need a bigger, better shelter," Pearce said.

Helping meet the need for upgraded shelter facilities is the Humane Society's ultimate goal, she said.

"We would like the city to build a new shelter, and we want to help them as much as we can," Pearce said, adding that Humane Society members could help run the facility.

In the meantime, the Humane Society moves the shelter's additional animals to other shelters across the Western Slope and in the Denver area.

Several expenses are included in the operation.

The Humane Society reimburses carriers for their mileage when transporting animals to other shelters.

"That's very costly to us," Pearce said.

Receiving shelters usually require that transported animals be spayed or neutered, in addition to receiving required shots and health screenings, Scott said.

Those services can cost between $40 to more than $100 an animal, she said.

Scott said various circumstances can land animals in the shelter.

"Especially in times like this, sometimes people can't afford to keep their animals," she said.

Some former pets are in the shelter "because their owners (have) fallen on hard times or circumstances they just can't overcome," Scott said.

However, she said, some animals end up in the shelter because their owners don't take responsibility for them.

"Those animals need people to be their advocates," Scott said. "So, that's what we do."

Bridget Manley can be reached at 875-1795 or bmanley@craigdailypress.com.