MUNCIE, Ind. -- A privately owned humane society is in danger of closing for good, potentially leaving many pets in jeopardy.

Delaware County Humane Society directors said they don't want to close, but operating costs are forcing them to realize it is inevitable. Shelter officials hope to keep it open for at least another month, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.

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Animals Jeopardized By Shelter's Planned Closing
Slideshow: Shelter's Money Problems Put Animals In Jeopardy

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"We started out back in 1997 with over $300,000," said shelter board member Joan Schreiber. "The money is gone. It takes a lot of money to operate these places."

Veterinary bills, vaccination costs and winter heating bills as high as $1,000 a month have drained the shelter of cash. The no-kill shelter depends entirely on donations.

There are more than 70 animals at the shelter. Workers want to find homes for all of those animals before closing.

Muncie's animal shelter stays at capacity most of the time, with as many as 75 dogs and 125 cats. Director Karen Gibson said other shelters and rescue groups will feel the burden if the county humane society closes.

"Some days, we may take in 10 or 12 animals. Last Tuesday, we did four pages of animals and took in 57 cats and 20 dogs all in one day," said shelter director Karen Gibson. "The stray population would probably go completely out of control."

Schreiber said the county shelter will not euthanize the 72 animals at the shelter. Shelter workers are dreading the day the shelter closes.

"There are going to be a lot of tears shed," Schreiber said.

The shelter has plenty of food and other supplies, but needs cash donations and animals to be adopted if they hope to stay afloat.

More Info: Delaware County Humane Society