CROOKSTON, Minn. — Scruffy Tails Humane Society is searching for a new veterinarian so it can reopen its doors following the previous vet’s resignation.
The animal shelter in Crookston has been closed for about a month, said Erin Wilson, the prior manager who has been helping out before she leaves for Montana.
“It is a lot right now,” said Wilson, who is working at the facility while it is closed to the public. “I don’t know that I’ve stopped working. I come to work, I leave work to pick up my kids, I go home and I work.”
An animal shelter must have a veterinarian to stay open, according to state law. With the resignation of Scruffy Tails’ vet, the shelter had to close its doors Dec. 7, Wilson said. Animals were sent to other shelters in the surrounding area or adopted. A board meeting on Dec. 30 was productive and had a good turnout, said Theresa Alme, acting president of Scruffy Tails’ board of directors. Attendees raised concerns, asked questions and provided ideas on how to move forward. Fundraisers, volunteers, the cost of the manager salary, finances and a recommendation of a vet from Bemidji were all part of the conversation.
The board is planning an internal audit in the next couple of weeks, Alme said, and has been reaching out to veterinarians. It also is looking into possibly restructuring staffing, as well as looking for grants and what fundraising events and activities it can do. Alme hopes to get some unfinished renovation projects completed. Another community member who works in animal welfare reached out and met with Scruffy Tails members before the meeting to offer training to the staff and board and help find additional training resources.
The board also received board applications following the meeting. Wilson said two members have resigned this year, and only one of those remaining has been on the board for a year. Interviews for board applicants will be held Jan. 15, and a vote will come at a Jan. 28 board meeting, according to a post on Scruffy Tails’ official Facebook page. Alme, who has been on the board for about five months, said she’s excited to possibly get more board members.
Alme said people are more than welcome to apply for the board, attend board meetings or reach out about volunteering and fundraising.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I think that we can definitely make a difference, change things and change them for the better. All of us associated with the Humane Society, past and present, have all associated ourselves with the Humane Society because we all love animals. I think that’s a theme that needs to go forward, that we’re all there for the same reasons.”
Wilson said she has confidence things can be resolved.
“I feel bad because I’m leaving in a bit of a chaotic situation, but I do have faith that the board can fix the situation,” she said.
Otto is the region reporter for the Obituary.