Dianna Zollman, president of the Coles County Humane Association said one of her favorite success stories from working with the CCHA was when an abandoned dog found a loving home.
The owners first fostered the dog for a couple of months, and shortly after the dog bonded with their daughter.
Zollman said the young girl was autistic, and the dog that had joined their family alarmed the mother when the child started to have a seizure.
“This dog definitely went to the right home,” Zollman said.
The members of the Coles County Humane Association volunteer their time during the year to care for and foster stray animals in the area.
Tammy Veach, the secretary of the CCHA, said the group is an all-volunteer animal welfare organization dedicated to improving the lives of companion animals in Coles County.
“We operate from our volunteer’s homes rather than maintaining a shelter or other facility,” Veach said. “This way, the donations we receive go directly to helping the animals instead of to overhead costs or operating expenses.”
Veach said in order to help the community, the organization provides spay and neutering vouchers for cats and dogs to defray the costs of the surgeries to assist low-income pet owners and senior citizens.
The CCHA provides foster care for stray dogs and cats until suitable adoptive homes can be secured.
For cats in the area that are un-socialized and fearful of human contact, Veach said they are captured in humane traps and then spayed, neutered or vaccinated, then returned to where they were found.
Zollman said one of the group’s main goals is to find homes for stray animals.
Once the stray animals are found in the area, Zollman said the possible adoptive owners are put through a screening process.
This screening process consists of an interview that involves background information on the prospective owners, including their names, addresses and their current veterinarian.
Veach said there are many dogs and cats out there, and the only solution is to stop the cycle of unwanted litters of cats and dogs.
“The best thing EIU students can do to help CCHA further its mission is to be responsible pet owners — getting your dog or cat fixed is so very important,” Veach said.
Zollman said she encourages the community to help CCHA by sending monetary donations to P.O. Box 101 in Mattoon.

Lynnsey Veach contributed to this story.
Jeff Coy can be reached at 581-2812 or at jrcoy@eiu.edu