Muskingum County Humane Society Discusses Future of Humane Officer Position

ZANESVILLE, OH–On Thursday, the Muskingum County Humane Society met with the County Commissioners to discuss the future of their humane officer position. 

While the Commissioners indicated that this role was never intended to be full-time, they expressed openness to expanding it in response to the increasing demands within the county.

“Everyone came out today to show support,” Muskingum County Humane Society President Charity Whitmer said. “We are meeting with the commissioners because as people are starting to hear, our humane officer has decided to resign, so we’re just looking at our path forward. Which way we’re going to go and what role we’re going to play in that.

Supporters gathered to discuss the resignation of the current humane officer and explore the path forward for the organization. A key takeaway from this meeting is the critical importance of having a humane officer actively involved in the community. The officer’s responsibilities include investigating cases of neglect, cruelty, and abandonment. One of the main reasons for addressing the Commissioners was to highlight the need for proper compensation and equipment to support the demanding schedule of humane officers.

“She does approximately 58 calls a month and the humane officer, if we do replace the humane officer, when that time comes, it’s a job where you use your own vehicle and those are the kind of things that we’re trying to work out with the commissioners,” Whitmer said.

While the Muskingum County Humane Society is seeking to fill this crucial role, their immediate focus remains on improving the position for the long-term benefit of the community.