Goshen Humane Society anxious to begin expansion

GOSHEN - Goshen Human Society received a $106,000 windfall inheritance from an eccentric animal lover, but the animal protection group still needs four things to happen before it can build a much needed 1,000-foot addition to the animal shelter. Plans for the expansion were drawn up and approved two years ago, but the humane society still needs the town to gift it the land surrounding the present shelter to build upon, approval from the State Attorney General’s office saying that it may accept the money from the kind lady who passed away, permits and planning board approval, and the weather to break in spring. An angel in disguise The Goshen Humane Society, run by Rick Bossley and his wife Susan for the past four years, had experienced three cuts in municipal subsidies that brought their income from $48,000 per year to $30,000. Yet another cut was planned for this past November. The woman who willed the $106,000 to Goshen Humane Society and the same amount to Blooming Grove Humane Society, Middletown and Orange County Safe Homes, was a customer of the Bossleys’ auto insurance company. Bossley subscribed to ‘Dog Fancy Magazine’ and similar publications through one of the school fundraisers, and he left the magazines in the waiting area for his customers to read. He remembers the lady once commented that he had to be a nice guy to be supportive of animals by buying the publications. She enjoyed reading them and even ended up sneaking a few home with her, to the chagrin of the Bossleys’ office help. Grass roots fund raising Before the benefactor passed away and left them this money, the shelter depended upon contributions from the town and village, and fundraising done either directly by the humane society or indirectly. For instance, the winner of Mr. Goshen High School, Josh Shih, designated the $1,600 he won to go towards Goshen Humane Society. They also get about $4,500 in membership renewal fees from the close to 250 members they now have, which is a big jump from the 42 members they had in the beginning. A long road When he was notified of the woman’s bequest, Rick Bosley wanted to start building six months after receiving the money. The humane society has a shortage of space to accommodate their cats, and was recently in the newspaper after an unfortunate incident where a dog killed some kittens that were waiting in crates outside until room could be found for them. Obtaining the land should be straightforward, according to a town official. “I can’t speak for the board, but I see no problem with them getting this land and would certainly entertain it before the board,” said Town Supervisor Doug Bloomfield. He said the humane society simply needs to submit a letter requesting the town gift the land, and submit its plans, complete with dimensions, materials, intent, and reason behind the expansion, for approval by the board. But getting state approval to accept the money may not be so easy. The Bossleys have been doggedly trying to communicate with the Attorney General’s office, but have not gotten through yet to anyone who could hurry the process along. The clock is ticking The reason for their urgency is that the Bossleys do not intend to run for president and vice-president of Goshen Humane Society this year and would like to have things in place before they leave office. “We would like to get it out to bid, contracted and started in the spring, before it gets dipped into for other things,” said Bossley. “It happens all the time and all over the place.” The 1,000 square foot addition would almost double the existing 1,250 square foot building, enabling the creation of 14 new dog runs. This would allow the dogs to go outside when they want to instead of continuing to depend on dog walking volunteers to make sure they are walked every ten hours. It would also enable them to dedicate the existing shelter to cats and create a much better environment for them. They plan to install two new bay windows for sunlight, which cats love. The cats do not presently get any sunlight. The new plans also include a break room for the volunteers to sit in and a more private area for potential adoption families to meet quietly with their potential new pet before making a decision. The Bossleys hope that all will be in place before they leave office and that others will step up to take over the shelter and run it responsibly.

We would like to get it out to bid, contracted and started in the spring, before it gets dipped into for other things. It happens all the time.” Rick Bossley, Goshen Humane Society president