By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – As 13 News first reported last week, the Santa Cruz Humane Society will close in the coming months after more than four decades of operation.
Read more Lake Havasu City woman accused of removing political signs for 7 candidates
Sue Rogers, the shelter’s president, said the decision to close was emotional and came after nearly a year of reviewing financial records with her accountant.
“I spent the last six weeks with Maria crying to make this decision because this has been my life for 16 years,” Rogers said.
Rogers said the shelter began examining its finances in October and found that donations and grants were declining.
“We started looking at the books in October, and funds just weren’t coming in, and donations, the grants that we applied for weren’t as big,” Rogers said.
The shelter saw thousands of dollars less in revenue this past year while facing higher costs for dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, and paper products.
The closure could have significant implications for animals in Santa Cruz County. Rogers said the shelter is the only humane society in the county and sees around 400 animals per year.
Jose Pena Jr., a manager with Santa Cruz County Animal Care and Control, said his facility has limited capacity.
“We are a very small shelter, only with 22 kennels available, and we’re already at capacity just about every week,” Pena said.
Read more Sunnyside students prep for college at PCC
The county shelter became a no-kill facility a year and a half ago, but Pena said maintaining that status could become difficult.
“I think that we’re just gonna have to turn people down. I mean, if we don’t have the room, we can’t take them in,” Pena said.
Pena said the county, despite being the state’s smallest, constantly deals with stray dogs crossing the border.
The Santa Cruz Humane Society has stopped taking in animals but still has animals available for adoption. The shelter plans to close sometime in the fall once all animals are adopted or sent to rescues.
Rogers said she hopes the county can take over the building and supplies to expand animal control operations.
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
Read more Salvation Army rolls out Operation Chill Out, needs donations from community
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here