It is estimated five to seven million animals are taken to shelters in the U.S. every year. The hope is to find a new home for those who are adoptable; sadly, many never find a new home and millions have to be put down.

They can’t all be saved. But people in this area are making an effort to save those they can.

In Butler County, animal shelter workers from the City of Greenville, and Butler County Humane Society (BCHS) volunteers, work together to help the county’s homeless animals.

“We take in animals from the city and county that have been abandoned, strayed from home and those who have been abused,” says Kristi Sexton of the Greenville Animal Shelter.

Just recently, the shelter had to take in more than 20 animals, underfed and suffering, in some cases severely, from the mange.

“Some were so far gone, they had to be put down,” Sexton said.

“But others are really sweet animals and with treatment, they could make someone really good pets.”

The BCHS stepped in to help by agreeing to cover the costs of mange treatment for two of these adoptable animals.

“That’s why we are here: to assist our shelter in any way we can,” said BCHS president, Herbert Morton.

The BCHS also helps provide food, medicines and other items needed at the shelter.

Members volunteer their time to help out at the shelter; some also serve as foster parents to homeless animals until a permanent home can be found or their owners come to claim them.

The society also holds fundraisers and mounts an annual letter writing campaign to financially assist the shelter.

“We want to bring about as many happy endings as we can,” Morton said.

Now the BCHS has an ambitious project underway: the founding of an auxiliary shelter in the county called “Second Chance,” where no animal accepted will ever be put down.

More than $5,000 has already been raised. With this weekend’s Second Chance Auction set for the Butler County Fairgrounds on Saturday, the BCHS hopes to raise much more money for the proposed shelter.

The auction kicks off at 11:05 a.m. Saturday, with a preview on Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Donations are still be taken, with the exhibit hall open Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for drop-offs.

“We hope to have a great turnout on Saturday and continue to grow our fund. We appreciate everyone who has supported both our city shelter and our ‘Second Chance’ Shelter,” Morton said.