Coffey said this is the first time in two years that FHS has requested an increase.

FHS did receive a significant increase in the county’s allocation the year prior to the contract agreement. In 2010 the county budget allocated $38,400 to the humane society; that number increased by $49,169 in 2011 to $87,569.

Coffey presented an annual report to commissioners in March that showed the shelter had taken in 1,705 animals last year, but maintained a 98.9 percent live-release rate.

FHS operated on about $591,760 in 2012. This budget included major renovations. Within that budget 70 percent covered animal care and placement, while 13 percent accounted for operational expenses, 11 percent for administration and 6 percent for fundraising/events.

Polk County’s allocation made up 16 percent of FHS’s 2012 income, while 74 percent came from grants and donations. Five percent of FHS funds come from shelter generated income and 5 percent from investment income.

“We are like anyone else, we get stretched too,” Coffey said. “In this economy people can’t give donations like they used to. We’re getting a lot of animals from people who really want to keep them, but they can’t afford it, so we end up keeping them and trying to find them homes.”

Commissioner Tom Pack in an email asked how commissioners could be assured animals dropped off at the shelter are from Polk County. Coffey said the decision was made by the board of directors a few years ago to open up the service area to include Landrum, Campobello and Gowensville. Coffey said the animals from those areas would otherwise be taken to Spartanburg, where Coffey said overcrowding is already a problem.

Coffey responded that the shelter does request a copy of the individual’s driver’s license and phone numbers so they can ensure the person does not drop off more than one animal per year.

All animal control animals brought in are from Polk County however.

“I am hopeful that you will review the attached information, realize the justified need for this contract increase and the subsequent benefit to Polk County citizens, and vote for the requested increase in the contract between Polk County and Foothills Humane Society as you finalize your budget deliberations,” Coffey said in an additional email this week to county commissioners.