Cathy Cunningham has worked as a Humane Officer for Washington County for 12 years, all of which have been unpaid.

As reported in the WJPA local news on January 14, 2020,  "After 12 years, she can't afford to continue and worries what will happen to the animals. 'Who is going to take care of the animals in the middle of the night or on a Sunday or on Christmas Day? I've been called out on Christmas Day,' Cunningham said." 

Cathy Cunningham is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing compelling and valuable compassion and action for the animals of Washington County. Stated in an article in the Observer Reporter in 2018, "Cunningham cares for the animals through her nonprofit CRICAAT, (pronounced “cricket”) which stands for Call and Report Inhumane Cruelty and Abuse of Animals Today. She started in 2008, she said, because of her love of animals and because it was needed. She receives calls about animals every day. No matter the type of animal, Cunningham has their medical issues taken care of, then contacts someone from her network of rescue facilities for placement."

Cathy Cunningham stated in an interview with WPXI on January 13, 2020, that "they don't have to hire her, they just have to hire someone. 'Washington County is not poor and the fact that this is ignored has now taken me to the point of anger,” Cunningham said.

Cathy Cunningham provides a voice for the voiceless, and she deserves to continue to make a positive impact for the animals in our community while being appropriately compensated, or at least receive hired help! Working such a strenuous and emotionally taxing job with a very demanding schedule, and doing so without pay, is not fair or acceptable. 

The 2020 General Fund budget for Expenditures and other Financing for Washington County is $98,729,128. The public is asking why some of this money cannot be allocated to the important work and compassion of Humane Officers such as Cathy.

Cathy Cunningham, dedicated Humane Officer of Washington County for 12 years, deserves to be compensated and appreciated for her service to our county, or at least to be heard and receive the hired help she has been asking for!