By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

The Chilton County Humane Society is hoping to bring some cheer to local pets and children, as well as its budget through a Santa Paws photo fundraiser on Dec. 17 at Tractor Supply from 1 to 5 p.m.

Santa will be on site to pose with participants for $10. Amy Nicholas will be the photographer and each person will receive a link via email to access the picture.

“She is exceptionally good,” Humane Society President Katherine Reece said.

During the Dec. 12 board meeting, the board discussed the need for more funding — to the tune of about $15,000. Treasurer Bill McCay said there was about $9,000 in the organization’s accounts, but almost half of this would be needed for payroll. There were also months’ worth of veterinarian bills that needed to be paid.

Recently, staff has noticed the shelter was being billed for animal care it had not requested. Board member Kristi Hyche said each bill is now being reviewed individually to avoid this.

The board has also realized that the PayPal account that was set up by a previous board was not designated as being for a nonprofit and was charging fees. The board will phase out this account and establish a new one as a nonprofit, which will waive the transaction fee.

Someone asked if Maplesville was still paying the shelter per animal, and Reece said no because Maplesville no longer has an animal control officer.

Amy Nicholas presented an idea where 1-800-Pet-Meds will donate to the shelter animal prescriptions that have been returned, in exchange for the shelter putting a Pet Meds banner on its website. The board approved moving forward with this.

Rockin’ Bobbin, General Alarm and Simple Safe all donated security equipment to the shelter.

Board members have also begun looking for grants.

Also during the meeting:

—The board received a review of the return to owner procedures. If a person’s dog has been turned in to the shelter and the owner comes to pick it up, they must be able to show proof that the dog has received a rabies shot. If proof cannot be shown a $25 fee is charged. Hyche said the fee will be refunded to the owner when they bring in proof of the animal getting the vaccination.

— Reece announced the euthanasia rate year-to-date at the shelter is 10.8 percent for dogs and 53 percent for cats. All of these animals were either sick or aggressive. For November, the overall euthanasia was 27 percent.

— Reece announced she will be stepping down as president in February when the board votes for officers, due to health reasons. Kristi Hyche said she plans to run for the seat.

Lee Helms expressed interest in joining the board to help out. He said he and his wife have grant writing experience.