Pawprints on the Heartland seeks building

Pittsburg KS

Description

PAWPRINTS ON THE HEARTLAND NEWS RELEASE AUGUST 2, 2022 PAWPRINTS ON THE HEARTLAND NEEDS YOUR HELP! In January of 2021, Pawprints on the Heartland received an unexpected 12-page lease agreement from an attorney representing the SEK Humane Society. The lease agreement was regarding the building at the SEK Humane Society complex located on West 20th Street, which had been vacated by SEK Humane Society after they built the new 4600 sq. ft. building in 2005. Pawprints had been using this building for surgeries for the past several years. The lease included many demands that Pawprints could not meet. After unsuccessful negotiations, SEK Humane Society filed a lawsuit to evict Pawprints from the building. Pawprints has just received an eviction order to vacate the building by August 14th, 2022, at 5:00 pm; thus putting Pawprints services in jeopardy. For the past 22 years, Pawprints on the Heartland has provided spay/neuter services in southeast Kansas to combat the over-population of pets. To date, nearly 90,000 surgeries have been performed preventing thousands of births, saving millions of unwanted pets from suffering and death. From 2000 to 2012, Pawprints provided spay/neuter services to SEK Humane Society free of charge. With costs rising in 2012, it was necessary to begin charging a fee of $15.00 per animal whereas the normal fee was $40.00. This price break to the SEK Humane Society was in exchange for use of the vacated building. In addition, Pawprints paid or subsidized SEK Humane Society’s large dog surgeries at local vet clinics. This arrangement benefited SEK Humane Society thousands of dollars as well as having the convenience and accessibility of spay/neuter services on site as the State requires that every animal be surgically altered before being adopted to the public. Both the SEK Humane Society Board and the Pawprints on the Heartland Board were in agreement with this exchange and both worked together as “sister” organizations for 22 years and both flourished. It was necessary that each organization be a separate legal entity for grant purposes. Many of the Pawprints members were active members with the SEK Humane Society and had been for literally decades. Each group trusted and respected each other ---working together for the welfare of the animals. Throughout the years, there had never been a question as to the legality of the arrangement. A highly respected local attorney has told Pawprints that this arrangement, although better if it had been in writing, is completely acceptable. SEK Humane Society has had attorneys on their Board of Directors throughout the years that never questioned the arrangement. The one room building under contention, which had been surgically equipped and maintained by Pawprints, had no restroom, no entry room, nor heating and cooling system. Pawprints requested and obtained a grant from the Ronald O. Thomas Foundation for a $35,000.00 addition which was constructed in 2013. The Foundation contributed $17,500.00 while Pawprints contributed $8,750.00 and SEK Humane Society contributed $8,750.00, The building is known as the “RONALD O. THOMAS CLINIC”., Pawprints must find another location from which to operate. Pawprints has chosen not to spend donor monies on attorney and court fees. Pawprints is needing a 1000 to 1500 sq. ft. location from which to continue the low-cost spay/neuter services. In order to avoid attorney fees and court costs. Pawprints must find another location from which to operate. Pawprints is willing to pay reasonable rent or to make purchase of a small building. If anyone has such a space that Pawprints could obtain, please text or email . Pawprints, a 22-year organization whose motto is PREVENTION, NOT DESTRUCTION, may have to cease services if no location is found. Pawprints on the Heartland is very disappointed that SEK Humane Society considers themselves a “stand alone” organization and is no longer willing to work with Pawprints. As of now, the two organizations will go forward separately. Thank you, Caitlin Fanning, Public Information Dir.