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The Butler County Humane Society (BCHS) will return to in-person meetings for the first time since COVID-19 restrictions were put in place in 2020.

The all-volunteer group will have their first meeting of 2021 on July 21 at 1 p.m. at the Camellia City Bakery in downtown Greenville.

In future months, the BCHS will meet every second Wednesday of the month at the same time and location.

“We are very excited to get things underway again,” Kimberly Matthews, vice-president of the organization, said. “We welcome all our old members back and are eager to see some new faces join us this summer. We can always use new ideas in terms of fundraising and improving the welfare of all animals in our communities and our county.”

Masks will not be required to attend; however, anyone who is not fully vaccinated may want to wear a mask.

“We appreciate so much Ann Judah for providing us with a great central location and delicious food with friendly service. We encourage everyone to stop in early to enjoy a good sandwich, soup or salad, or to try one of her delicious desserts,” said Matthews.

For those who cannot attend the July 21 meeting, Matthews wants to remind everyone of some of the ways they can support the BCHS.

“We can always use donations of your gently used household items in our Hidden Treasures booth in Greenville. Smaller items can be dropped off 24/7 at the Shell Depot on Fort Dale Road; if you have larger items, you can contact me and we will make arrangements to pick up the items,” Matthews said.

There is always a need for foster pet parents in the county, and this is never more true than right now, Matthews said.

“We have seen so, so many puppies and kittens being born this summer and so often they are abandoned to fend for themselves. A much better choice is to take them to the city-county shelter—but sometimes they just don’t have enough room or manpower there to care for them all,” Matthews said.

“To help save these babies, we need more foster pet parents willing to care for them until they are either adopted or the shelter finds a rescue for them elsewhere. We have a wonderful set of animal control officers in Christy Sexton and Kristi Sexton and we appreciate all they do to save animals’ lives. We can help them out by fostering, and we provide the food, the shots and cover other expenses. You provide the TLC they need.”

Of course, monetary donations to the BCHS are always welcome, Matthews said.

“Because of COVID, we were unable to hold or participate in various fundraising events, and that has impacted us,” Matthews explained.

“Your donation makes a difference, no matter what the size. Whether you choose to make smaller monthly donations or one large one, this helps us with the various supplies our fosters and our shelter need, and helps cover the limited number of no-cost spay and neuter surgeries we provide through Dr. Josh Gardner and Clay Hill,” she said.

Donations may be made by sending checks made out to the BCHS to: BCHS, P.O. Box 507, Greenville Alabama 36037.

There’s one more way you can improve animal welfare in the county—and it may be the biggest one.

“Please, please, please, spay and neuter your pets. Please call our toll-free number at 210-7600 and leave your info to find out more about our low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, available for the pets of people from all income levels,” Matthews said.

For additional information, contact Kimberly Matthews at (334) 437-2150.