EASTERN TENNESSEE HUMAN SOCIETY | New

It was Sue Burda’s heart for rescue and perhaps a little bit of stubbornness that got her through the tough times of operating a nonprofit.

The Blount County resident founded the Humane Society of East Tennessee 10 years ago after another rescue organization decided to stop saving homeless cats and dogs.

Euthanizing the animals wasn’t something she wanted to be a part of, so Burda and Robin Grainger began their own rescue efforts. HSET started out in a warehouse on Union Grove Road a decade ago, then moved to a location on Gill Street in Alcoa. Its most recent location is 1611 E. Broadway Ave. in Maryville, where 33 cats are waiting for a permanent place to live.

The center is open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every Monday and Friday for visitors looking to find the right pet.

There is Pierre, a male with long hair who has a bit of attitude and a tendency to pinch his hands. Tre and Rouge are brother and sister, about 3 years old. Sweet Pea has been there from the start. Peta, Apollo 2, Wal-E, Sheba, Ludwig and the others are all looked after by Burda and 10 volunteers.

“We went from an 800 square foot place to here, which is 2,400 square feet,” Burda said as she introduced each cat. She knows where they are coming from and why, and seeks to replace some bad situations with good ones.

For example, Burda took possession of a mother cat and her 11 kittens which were left in a box outside a point of sale. She has successfully adopted them all except for a male named Wal-E, who is shy and prefers to stay hidden inside a climbing tower where potential adopters cannot see him.

COVID-19 hampered HSET’s fundraising efforts last year, Burda said. She would organize chili dinners and other public events to raise awareness and also fund. This small organization receives one grant per year, the founder said. A local resale store, 4 Chics and a Cat, also offers financial assistance.

The operating expenses for one year are $ 40,000. This does not include unforeseen expenses like emergency services, repairs, etc., Burda said.

More financial help is needed, said Burda, but also more volunteers who could give the center time so that it can extend its hours. HSET also relies on foster families who can accommodate cats, dogs, rabbits or guinea pigs who end up at the center while waiting to be adopted.

“We have hosted hundreds of cats over the past 10 years,” said Burda. “But also dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits. We could accommodate more if we had foster families.”

The village veterinary hospital takes care of the animals that come to HSET. Vet bills, the cost of food, bedding and medicine add up, Burda said. “We still need help with fundraising,” she said. “I do all.”

The cost to bring a cat home is $ 50, and that includes her sterilization, test, and microchip. Kittens cost $ 75 due to the additional verification fee and dogs $ 125.

Shy, boisterous, climbers, curious cats and prefers solitude, it’s all here. Burda spent enough time with them all to be able to report on each one.

She doesn’t like welcoming kittens, she said, because the Blount County Animal Center can easily adopt them. Burda prefers the more difficult to adopt. They also deserve love and a safe place to land, she said.

“I like welcoming the older, the less adoptable,” she said. This is true for his own family. Burda personally has over 20 cats and also dogs which are mostly older and often overlooked by others.

She’s been rescuing for a while. Burda has just turned 50.

“I’ve been doing lifesaving since I was 16,” she said.