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Spring Hill Couple Leave Humane Society $195,000

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By TONY MARRERO, Hernando Today

Published: December 10, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Tom and Dorothy Huitfeldt had compassion for humans and animals alike.

Recently, the staff and volunteers at the Humane Society of the Nature Coast in Brooksville learned how compassionate the Huitfeldts were. The couple left the Humane Society $195,596.41, about half of their estate, said Cheryl Kopia, a friend of the Huitfeldts.

It's a record for the 43-year-old Humane Society.
Joanne Schoch, the shelter's executive director, was vacationing in England when she found out about the donation. Her husband, Dennis, who also works at the shelter, sent her an e-mail.

"Forget flying home," the message began. "Float home."
Schoch saw the six figures and let out a scream that caused the friend she was staying with to come running.

"She thought something had happened to me," she said. "There is no question I floated home."
Schoch said she recognized the Huitfeldts' name immediately as members - people who have made donations to the shelter in the past - but she had never met the couple.

"We are extremely grateful that the Huitfeldts noticed the Humane Society and the work we did, and that other people see these animals and what their needs are," Schoch said.

The Humane Society assisted Dorothy Huitfeldt earlier this year.

Dorothy, who went by "Dot," suffered a stroke in December 2005 and could no longer care for her two cats, Chloe and Calvin, who had been rescued from another shelter, according to Kopia.

The Humane Society took them in and found a home for Calvin. Chloe is still there.

Dot, who moved with her husband from New Jersey to Spring Hill about 13 years ago, died on June 19. Tom died in 2003.

The Humane Society property on Wiscon Road looks a lot different than it did two years ago.

Thanks to donations, the shelter has an office in a trailer and is surrounded by white vinyl fencing. There are 23 fenced exercise runs for the dogs and a shady, fenced area for would-be owners to get to know their potential adoptee.

But with just two acres, there is only so much more room for the shelter to expand, Schoch said.

The need to do so is critical, she said. The Humane Society is a no-kill shelter and rescues as many animals as possible from Hernando County Animal Services.

Along with minor repairs, Schoch plans to use some of the Huitfeldts' donation to install concrete under fences to keep dogs from digging. But most of it will go into the bank to start a new building fund.

"That's always been the dream," Schoch said. "It is time for the Humane Society to grow with Hernando County."
Schoch envisions a large facility with on-site facilities for veterinarian visits and the capacity to serve as a hurricane shelter for hundreds of animals. The facility could cost $350,000, Schoch said. The Humane Society needs a donation of 3 to 5 acres in Brooksville for the new shelter.

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