Humane Society to host fundraiser tonight

COLUMBIA —

The Central Missouri Humane Society will host a birthday party Wednesday night to raise funds and celebrate being in the city for 65 years. Representatives from the Columbia Chamber of Commerce will conduct a ribbon cutting at 5:45 p.m., and the festivities go until 9 p.m. A hot dog dinner and birthday cupcake is available for $5, and all proceeds go to the shelter. Visitors can also spend time with animals up for adoption.

The birthday party is the latest in a series of events for the shelter. The humane society was able to raise $1,400 from an event last weekend at 9th Street Tattoo, said Patty Forister, executive director of the shelter. At the event, a percentage of proceeds from specific animal-themed tattoos was given back to the shelter.

Financial problems are affecting the shelter, and it has had to institute changes to help make ends meet. Beginning on Oct. 5, the shelter will reduce hours of operation. The shelter will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays. The shelter has also asked the city for further help.

"The shelter is in discussions with the city about ways they and the community can help the shelter through additional funding, services and projects,” Forister said.

The fundraiser is open to the public and will be at the Central Missouri Humane Society at 616 Big Bear Blvd.