Staff photo / Bob Coupland Dan Csontos, president of the Animal Welfare League’s 11-member board, and Bethany Cluckey, Animal Welfare League chief executive officer, show one of the cats available for adoption. Plans are being made for fundraising and other events to generate money for operation of the humane agency, which has seen an increase in animal humane calls and hoarding situations with animals.

VIENNA — For nearly 18 months, Bethany Cluckey has led the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County as chief executive officer. With the start of a new year, she and the board and staff are planning for needs for the organization in 2026.

Dan Csontos, new board president, said he and the board are ready to work with Cluckey.

Csontos said the most challenging thing about being a humane society is rescuing animals and trying to correct situations. AWL has to fund it all.

“We are providing a public service but (there is) no government funding for humane societies. If the government were to contribute $1.50 for every person in this county, that would help provide the funds we need,” he said.

Csontos said the AWL deals with many cases of animal neglect.

Cluckey said the AWL has between 45 to 55 dogs at any time and 110 cats with kitten season approaching.

She said it is important to have animals spayed or neutered.

Cluckey said there have also been many hoarding cases of animals, mostly cats.

“Fundraising efforts are always a constant with a nonprofit,” Cluckey said. “We have our usual fundraisers as well as some new ones we want to try out. One thing we will be doing is monthly bingo nights. We have already held one bingo night and it brought in about $7,000.”

She said the bingo nights are popular, with different themes such as Walt Disney Night.

Funds are used for the medical care of animals, such as vaccines and antibiotics.

“Because we see so many cases of neglect, a lot of the animals are brought here unhealthy and needing care. All of these cost money,” Cluckey said.

Csontos said the AWL has a great facility and space, which allows for the isolation of sick animals.

He said he and the 11-member AWL board, including veterinarians and others, are “a valuable resource.”

“They know so much about animal behavior and veterinary medicine. They know how to take care of the animals and help us with making the animals more social for adoption,” Csontos said.

He said board members are committed and give of their time and knowledge.

APPEAL CHALLENGE

“We as a board are doing a $25,000 appeal challenge to anyone wanting to help the Animal Welfare League,” Csontos said.

He said people need to realize it takes a lot to keep the AWL operating.

Cluckey, who was most recently made a humane agent for AWL, said there are three others and two in training to be humane agents.

In addition to the care of the animals, funds are also needed for routine maintenance of the AWL building, located for 12 years in Vienna. Those needs include roof repairs and parking lot improvements.

Csontos said the AWL was established in 1969.

“If (only) the government could fund agencies like this a little bit more. We have a great facility here that does a lot to help the community,” he said.

KENT STATE PROGRAM

Csontos said the AWL is also the location for the Kent State University at Trumbull vet tech program, and students perform clinicals in rooms at the facility.

Cluckey said there are specialized rooms where the college students gain hands-on training with animals at AWL.

“We also benefit from the students being here. They help with vaccines and other pet care,” she said.

The rooms the students use include X-ray machines, ultrasounds and other equipment for checking animals and doing microchipping.

Csontos said the college pays a fee for use of the rooms.

He said the volunteers who help at AWL make a difference.

Cluckey said open orientations take place twice a month for anyone who wants to volunteer at the shelter which include training and a tour.

Volunteers aid in walking dogs and cleaning animals’ bowls. Others can help at The Menagerie by AWL, a thrift store in Niles.

“We have many volunteer opportunities. Students also can help. We get Scout groups or National Honor Society students who come here to help,” Cluckey said.

She said plans are to get more open houses this year at AWL to get more people into the building.

Other fundraising includes three Purse Bingos, a golf outing in August and a special dedication to two founding members of the AWL board in May.

Csontos said he has always cared for animals, having a dog when he was 3 that lived until he was 21.

“Having a pet taught me about life and loss of a pet. My dog was my constant companion. I have rescue cats at my home that I take care of. Pets are just as important as humans. They have the emotions like humans. ” he said.

Cluckey said she started working part time at the AWL in 2012 as an animal caretaker.

“This gives me fulfillment. I was super committed to this type of work,” she said. “I have worked in various positions here in management roles. I have done the accounting side and am now a humane officer. I know this organization and this building very well.”

INCREASE IN CALLS

Cluckey said there has been an increase in calls for humane investigation cases.

“I do not know if that is because people are more comfortable reporting them. There has been an increase in animal hoarding cases. There has also been more lack of care of animals, especially since COVID, when people were hoarding animals since being cooped up in the house,” she said.

Csontos said it takes a financial commitment to have animals.

“With the cold weather, people need to realize their pets can’t have frozen water. You can’t leave pets outside in the freezing weather,” he said.

Cluckey said the organization also gets calls from people reporting dogs left outside in the cold with no food or water.

“We want to make sure the animals are getting the care they deserve,” she said

The public can visit the AWL from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. For information, call 330-539-5300.