At the annual Humane Society Howl-O-Ween Dinner and Auction, Karen Franklin was honored with the Community Service Award. Pictured here at that presentation are, from left, Ryan Chadwick, Deanna Turner, Ty Pell, Brian Mason, Karen Franklin, Barbara Jones, Brian Baldridge, Paul Worley, Jessica Huxmann, and Todd Mitchell.
At the annual Humane Society Howl-O-Ween Dinner and Auction, Karen Franklin was honored with the Community Service Award. Pictured here at that presentation are, from left, Ryan Chadwick, Deanna Turner, Ty Pell, Brian Mason, Karen Franklin, Barbara Jones, Brian Baldridge, Paul Worley, Jessica Huxmann, and Todd Mitchell.

Karen Franklin receives Community Service Award –

Story and photos by Patricia Beech –

Nearly 70 people on Saturday, Oct. 22 attended the fourth annual Humane Society of Adams County’s (HSAC) Howl-O-Ween Dinner and Auction. The event was held at the GE Park Pavilion in Peebles and this year the fundraiser netted a total of $4,200.
Three hundred individuals and businesses contributed to the evening by donating a wide variety of items for the auction. Those in attendance bid on handmade crafts, artwork, primitive décor, gift baskets, animal statues, event tickets, gift cards, and many other items.
“We have lots of donors this year,” said HSAC Advisor, Jessica Huxmann. “People have been very generous, and all the funds we raise tonight go to the Humane Society in West Union.”
Huxmann said the money raised during the auction is used to cover operating costs, vet fees, gasoline for transporting animals to vets, and to pay for gas for humane agent Melissa Downs who does all the investigation work.
Humane Society board member and volunteer Karen Franklin of Peebles was honored at the event for her community service and commitment to the welfare of animals.
“Karen has distinguished herself by going above and beyond the call of duty to help animals throughout the region, often at great personal and financial sacrifice,” Huxmann said. “Her actions have saved thousands of animals’ lives and prevented much animal suffering.”
County Commissioners Paul Worley, Brian Baldridge, and Ty Pell joined Huxmann to present the Community Service Award to Franklin.
“We’re so pleased to be here tonight to present this award to Karen,” said Worley.  “Her work and dedication to animals and her community is worthy of emulation.”
In addition to her work with the Humane Society, Franklin is an active community volunteer.

One of the unique items at the Howl-O-Ween Auction was the “Keep the Sheep.” The winning bidder keeps the stuffed sheep for a year, documents all its travels, then brings it back next year to be auctioned again.
One of the unique items at the Howl-O-Ween Auction was the “Keep the Sheep.” The winning bidder keeps the stuffed sheep for a year, documents all its travels, then brings it back next year to be auctioned again.

“She checks on the elderly in the community, making sure they have food and that they make it to their doctor appointments,” said Huxmann. “She takes care of their pets and helps to pay their vet bills so they can keep their pets in their homes, and don’t have to give them up.”
Franklin is the only remaining member of the original Humane Society Board and is also one of the founders of the low cost spay and neuter Rascal Clinic in Adams County.
“Animals are a part of my life, and I just can’t stand to see them suffer or be abused,” she said. “It’s very close to my heart.” Franklin has worked with the HSAC since 2005, “They can’t get rid of me,” she jokes.  “I’ll be here forever.
The Humane Society was formed in 2005, and is a non-profit 501c3 organization dedicated to providing humane care and treatment for all the animals they shelter.
“We are not affiliated with the U.S. Humane Department,” said Huxmann. “All of our funding comes from private donations and grants.”
The shelter’s annual operating budget of $70-80,000 supports a small staff of employees who do the day-to-day work at the animal shelter 365 days a year.
“The shelter itself is only a year old,” said Althea Throckmorton, Humane Society Director. “The next step is managing and growing it and seeing what we need to do to help the animals in Adams County. It is more important than ever that we do what we can to help the community with services for homeless dogs and cats. In return we are dependent on the community for our support.”
The shelter houses about 20 dogs and up to 46 cats, as well providing a temporary home for a number of animals in foster care.
“We are always looking for donations of supplies for the shelter such as fleece blankets, bleach, Dawn dish soap, gas cards to help with travel expenses, and volunteers to come into the shelter and help us take care of the animals,” said Huxmann.
The HSAC is also committed to providing educational and volunteer programs to the citizens of Adams County concerning the humane treatment and prevention of cruelty, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of animals. The society works to reduce the county’s pet over-population by offering low cost spay and neuter clinics.
“We give back to the community by offering low cost spay and neuter clinics” said Huxmann. “In 2017 we’ll begin doing it twice a month, every other month because so many people use the Humane Society to obtain services from the Rascal Clinic based in Columbus.”
For more information about the Humane Society of Adams County, please visit the Animal Shelter Tuesday through Saturday between 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., call (937) 544-8585, or visit www.adamscountyanimals.org.