Fundraiser to be held in Beckley for animal shelter wellness clinic

BECKLEY, W.Va. (WVVA) The Humane Society of Raleigh County may be close to solving some of the financial woes of its past. It is the same struggle faced by shelters across the country -- how to take in abandoned animals while at the same time meeting the rising costs of veterinary services.

But now, leaders at the Raleigh County Humane Society think they may have a solution -- a veterinary clinic on site.

”We’re thankful to have a great network of local vets,” explained Alexis Johnston, the organization’s Social Outreach Coordinator. “But realistically, they also serve the community too and they get full. It’s stressful for the animals to transport and we have to book far out. If we had a facility on site, we’d be able to get more animals in without having to wait so long.”

With more than $200,000 raised, the Humane Society is halfway to meeting its goal of opening the Delaney Wykle Animal Wellness Center in the Spring.

Wykle was the aspiring nurse who died along with her friend and her friend’s father, businessman Chris Cline, in a helicopter crash in 2019.

”She loved animals and was a supporter of the humane society. So we’re grateful we can leave something in memory of her,” said Deb Berry, Sec. of the Board of Directors.

Berry said the Wellness Center would serve multiple purposes. Not only would it cut veterinary costs by having a Veterinarian on site, but the hope is to also open the facility to the community for spay and neuter services.

”Right now, it’s very difficult to get those appointments, which I’m sure many people have seen. We’re hoping to solve that problem,” Berry said.

To help reach their goal, the Moose Lodge on New River Drive in Beckley is hosting a benefit on Saturday with money raised to go toward the Delaney Wykle Animal Wellness Center.

The Spaghetti dinner will last from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per person.