The Humane Society of St. Thomas suspended animal intake and other government-contracted services Wednesday, saying delayed government payments have left it unable to continue providing those services while caring for 163 cats and 27 dogs already at its shelter.
The nonprofit says it is also now questioning whether it can meet its July payroll while continuing to care for 190 animals already at its shelter.
Services were curtailed after the Humane Society received none of the $181,250 appropriated under its Fiscal Year 2026 Notices of Grant Award for work that board members and nonprofit reps say has already been performed. The suspension also includes the organization’s high-volume spay and neuter initiatives.
HSSTT Board President Randy Knight said the organization has managed to remain operational through community support, thrift store sales, fundraising events and private donations.
“With a budget of approximately $1.8 million, we are highly dependent on our thrift store sales, fundraising events and contributions from the private sector and those caring community members supporting animal welfare,” Knight told the Source. “For the services outlined in the GVI NOGAs, HSSTT should receive a minimum of $1 million.”
Knight said the shelter is currently caring for 163 cats and 27 dogs despite reducing services and staff hours in an effort to avoid layoffs.
“It is questionable if we can meet our full July payroll,” he said.
Knight said the funding delays have already created confusion over where animals should go. He said the Department of Agriculture’s Dorothea facility recently declined to accept an animal, even though HSSTT has suspended the government intake services covered under its agreement.
“It is this agency’s responsibility to do so, and they are possibly violating the territory’s animal anti-cruelty law by this inexcusable action, which I now have an attorney investigating,” Knight said.
Knight’s announcement prompted a flurry of responses from those copied on his original email to government officials, senators and the media. Among them was animal advocate Sharon Hupprich, who noted that HSSTT had repeatedly warned the government that animal intake would be suspended if funding was not received by June 30. With the deadline now passed, she urged the administration to act quickly, saying the longer the delay continues, the more animals are left without needed services.
In response to questions from the Source, Finance Commissioner Kevin McCurdy said the government has begun processing payments to the Humane Society. He said a $37,500 payment was processed June 30, reducing the outstanding balance under the current Office of Management and Budget release letter, while the remaining $131,250 is undergoing the department’s standard review and approval process.
Knight said that, as of Wednesday afternoon, HSSTT had not yet received any payment or the fully executed Notices of Grant Award. He said the organization is still awaiting what amounts to five delinquent government payments.
In its statement, Humane Society said it remains committed to caring for the animals already in its custody but warned that restoring suspended services depends on the government honoring its financial commitments.
Mat Probasco contributed to this article.
