By Logan Andrew, Editor-in-Chief | FreeWire Magazine — Your News, Your Voice
BUCYRUS, OH — When the air conditioning system at the Crawford County Humane Society failed earlier this week, there was no warning—only a scramble to keep the shelter’s animals safe during one of the hottest weeks of the year.
“There was no two weeks’ notice,” the shelter shared in a public post. “It just quit on us.”
The crisis has since sparked an outpouring of community support. As of Saturday evening, the shelter has raised $27,182.57 toward replacing the aging unit, with more pledged after the July 4 holiday. The total replacement cost is estimated at $60,000.
Why the Price Tag Is So High
Shelter manager Robbin confirmed to FreeWire that the replacement system is not a standard off-the-shelf unit. The existing system is made up of a 10-ton rooftop unit and two 5-ton condensing units, which are specially configured for the building’s layout and air handling needs. The new unit will also need to be custom fabricated to fit the facility’s infrastructure.
Unlike a standard residential or commercial system, this kind of setup can’t be picked up at a local supplier—it must be ordered, built to spec, and professionally installed, adding significant cost.
The previous unit had been in service for 28 years.
A Rapid Community Response
In a statement to FreeWire, shelter manager Robbin confirmed the donation total and the estimated cost. She described the outpouring of support as overwhelming and deeply appreciated.
Major contributors include:
- Galion Elks Lodge #1191, who donated $5,000
- The Whistle Stop Café (Galion), which gave $2,500 and is also donating 10% of its profits through July 4
- Ley’s Jewelry (Bucyrus), which donated $1,000
- Galion Owls and the Pink Ladies of the Galion Owls
- Remmel Transport (Bucyrus)
- Anthony Lee (Crestline)
- Ole Dog Coffee (Galion)
Fans were initially brought in to provide airflow after the failure, including one purchased by the shelter and another donated by the Bucyrus Tractor Supply store. But a full replacement was deemed necessary after testing showed a near-total loss of coolant in just 26 hours.
Fundraiser at Baker’s Pizza
Baker’s Pizza in Bucyrus will be hosting a Dine & Donate event on Monday, July 7, donating a portion of sales to the shelter’s AC fund.
Supporters can continue to donate through the Humane Society’s website at www.crawfordhumane.com, via PayPal, or in person at the shelter.
More Help Still Needed
As of now, just under $33,000 remains to be raised. The shelter has expressed its gratitude repeatedly in public posts, calling the community response “amazing” and emphasizing how much the staff and animals appreciate the continued support.
FreeWire will continue to follow the story and report updates as more pledges come in.
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