Controlled chaos reigns inside the Lawrence Humane Society’s paw-print covered building.

At the Humane Society, 1805 E. 19th St., there is always something going on. The sound of a ringing phone is almost as constant as the dogs barking in the background. Despite budget cuts, the Humane Society has added more responsibilities to its growing list of community services.

Courtney Kratina, a Kansas University senior from Omaha, Neb., spends time with Oswald, a Jack Russell terrier at the Lawrence Humane Soceity. Kratina is one of many volunteers the shelter depends on to provide exercise for the animals.

This year, under the new vicious dog ordinance, the Humane Society is working with law enforcement agencies to collect information about dogs that are trained to attack people or are used in dogfights.

The Humane Society has also expanded the size of its facility. Last year, the nine-person staff cared for 350 animals. This year the number of animals it took in doubled while the size of its staff remained the same. The society also continues to provide educational programs, animal sheltering, pet adoptions and emergency rescue. Staff members also conduct animal cruelty and neglect investigations and continue to lobby the state Legislature to make animal cruelty a felony.

All of the services cost money, something the Humane Society has little of. Last year, the society ran on an operating budget of $627,000, including $245,000 that came from city and county governments. Donations and fund-raising events made up for the deficit.

“We do a phenomenal job and the people of the community know it. So when we say we need help, the response is great,” said Midge Grinstead, director of the Humane Society.

With the majority of its budget depending on donations, the Humane Society is constantly looking for ways to raise money. Annually, it sponsors three major events — the Mutt ‘n Strutt, the “Paws”ible Dream Auction and the Animal Fair. Combined, these fund-raisers bring in anywhere from $65,000 to $75,000. The staff also strives to do small events every weekend to raise money and awareness of their organization in the community.

“We sell things, do little services like flea dips and have bake sales. It takes all those little things to keep us going,” Grinstead said.

It also takes many volunteers to keep the Humane Society running. Eunice Hodgkins has been walking dogs four times a week for six years at the humane society.

“I just like to give the dogs a little bit of happiness,” Hodgkins said.

She wished more people volunteered at the Humane Society. Hodgkins said volunteers didn’t need to spend as much time there as she did but said there were lots of little tasks they could do like chores and office work. Grinstead said volunteers were necessary, even if they could only work once a month or just to help with fund-raisers.

Even though money is tight, the outlook is not bleak at the Humane Society.

“We are looking for ways to help ourselves,” Grinstead said. “We’re cooking up some great ideas.”