BY KEITH LIPPOLDT
klippoldt@gbtribune.com
In all of his years in law enforcement, Emil Halfhill has been involved, to some degree, in animal control. When the Executive Director position of Golden Belt Humane Society became available unexpectedly earlier this spring, Halfhill put his name in the hat.
“With my background in law enforcement, I’m somewhat familiar with some of the state (animal control and sheltering) regulations,” Halfhill said. “It was kind of an easy transition, understanding the administrative background and running a business from my 12 years in administration from law enforcement, and then having a background in the animal control. It was kind of a natural fit,”
Halfhill, a Great Bend native, has spent time with the Great Bend Police Department, Lane County Sheriff’s Office as undersheriff, as well as Chief of Police in Chapman and Ellsworth. In Ellsworth he was in charge of the City’s shelter.
Beginning this new role on March 24, Halfhill knows he has a lot to learn on the administrative side and has jumped in headfirst on daily duties at the Golden Belt facility.
“I’m halfway through my fourth week as the director. If you’re asking me what I think are my main duties, I’m still figuring that out,” he said as he was answering a phone call about feral cats. “Whatever walks through that door, or whatever needs done are my main duties. That might entail cleaning cages, going out and picking up animals or setting here at the desk. So I think my duties entail anything that comes through the door, whatever any of the staff need. I’m asking them to point me in the direction they need me to go. I came in yesterday while the shelter was closed to get deposits done and take those in. I’m learning there’s a lot of different stuff with the state.
“The director position within the Golden Belt Humane Society entails everything from what we would ask a part time kennel tech to do. What we ask our full time animal control officer to do, and anything in between. And then, if it falls outside of their realm, then it falls under this position’s shoulders. So without giving you a real definitive answer, anything and everything.”
With memories of the old shelter in his head, Halfhill appreciates what they have to work in today. This helps with the overall goal of taking care of, and rehoming animals.
“I remember the old shelter before this one was even built,” he said. “And I know some of the past history and the strides that staff, past and current have made. I hope this staff will take that same pride to continue to provide the service for the animals and the public. So my goals would be to continue that success and trying to modernize some things. There’s different technologies out there that I think that we can utilize as time allows me to research it and do it.
“I’m also big on training, so I want to make sure my staff is getting training. And not just in how to clean a kennel or how to do this. If I can send the kennel techs or the animal control officer to some sort of relevant training to their field. I think it’s ultimately going to make them better and help them succeed, whether it be here or in their next venture in life.”
The GBHS staff consists of five full time positions, including the director, and three part time. One of the full time positions is the animal control officer. Besides the paid employees, Halfhill says they couldn’t survive without the generosity of the volunteers that have become so vital to the humane society.
“The volunteers. We have a long list of volunteers. Honestly, if it wasn’t for the work of our volunteers donating, getting the donations, doing the the events, this place wouldn’t function,” he said. “And then the donations and the just overwhelming response from Barton County citizens as a whole. The overwhelming support just blows my mind, and the amount of people that call daily wanting to bring donations, even if it’s just blankets and sheets, it’s overwhelming. It’s very, very heartfelt to see a community still support something.”
“I see the budget and I know where the money comes from,” Halfhill said. ”We’re so grateful for the money we receive from the City of Great Bend and the Barton County Commissioners.”
One item GBHS could use is pillow cases. They have found that pillow cases slip over the cat beds and help prevent them from having to wash soiled beds every day.
Upcoming Event
The Golden Belt Humane Society will be hosting the 7th Annual Paws and Claws Car Show on Saturday, May 20 at Brit Spaugh Park and Zoo. Registration will be from 10 a.m. until noon. Raffle drawings and awards will be presented starting at 3:30 p.m. The fee to enter your vehicle is $25. Awards will be presented to the top 20 vehicles. There will be swap meet vendors, cash drawings, a gun raffle, and mega door prizes as well as food and coffee vendors.
