Coffee County Humane Society has a board elected by the membership. Officers are selected from the Board. Current Board members and officers are: Sally Berryman – Co-president, Hazel Fannin, Co-President and Treasurer, Roy Phelps – Vice President – Secretary; Board Members: Debbie Burns, Chase McCullough, Becky Moore, Barbara Taylor. Vera Lund, Cindy Emanuel, Cathey Allen.
Coffee County Humane Society does not have a shelter or office, but has a small network of foster homes. There are five main programs of service to the community:
1. Spay/neuter and Emergency Vet Care for Pets of Low-Income Families. An application for service is required and may be obtained by calling (931) 728-0903 or downloading the spay/neuter application. Families are eligible for financial assistance if their income is no more than 150% of the federal poverty level, which is approximately $45,000 for a family of four. Persons may also receive help for stray animals, without meeting the income restriction, especially if they are rescuing or taking care of a large number of homeless animals. The goal is to spay/neuter as many animals as possible to address the enormous problem of pet over population. Veterinarians are compensated for their service and their cooperation makes this program possible. Routine vet care is not funded but CCHS will help as funds allow in case of life-threatening illness or injury of the pet.
2. Foster and adoption program. CCHS has a small number of foster homes for dogs, cats, and horses. Foster and Adoptive Homes are always needed. Application for both may be downloaded. CCHS pays the expenses for foster animals. These programs are overseen by a foster/adoption coordinator. Coffee County Humane Society is an approved adoption partner with both Petco and Petsmart and holds monthly adoption events at Petco Murfreesboro and Petsmart Tullahoma, usually on a Saturday. CCHS also has cats for adoption in the in-store cat room at Petsmart Tullahoma.
3. Pet Food Distribution. CCHS donates pet food monthly to Good Samaritan Food Pantry in Tullahoma and individual families in Manchester and Tullahoma as well as county residents, are helped directly on an emergency basis as funds allow. Any donations of pet food are appreciated and for local donations contact Vera Lund or Cindy Emanuel at president@coffeehumane.org. Pickup may be arranged also by calling 931-728-0903. CCHS appreciates the regular donations of pet food made by Tractor Supply and PetSmart as well as periodic pet food donations from Greatergood.org, Freekibble.com and Mars Pet Care.
4. Trap/Neuter/Release of Feral Cats. CCHS has live traps and will help trap, spay/neuter, and return cats to colonies who have a caretaker feeding them. This is vitally important to stabilize numbers and help prevent the spread of disease. Cats are given rabies shots at the time of surgery and cats who appear ill are tested for Feline Leukemia/Feline AIDS (FIV), which are communicable diseases. We can always use help with this program.
5. Education and outreach to schools and the community. CCHS is available to speak to schools and community groups about the organization and its programs, as well as humane treatment of animals and responsible pet ownership.
