As 2018 comes to end and 2019 is getting ready to start,  a new year brings new fears for those at Stray Hearts Animal Rescue shelter in Martin County.

Volunteers working at the shelter say they want the new incoming administration in Martin County to know their concerns for the future.

With at around 38 dogs and 60 cats, volunteers say they have their hands full at the rescue shelter.

“I spend a lot of time. I spend anywhere from 10 to 16 hours a day caring for these animals,” said lead volunteer Cynthia McGinnis.

Ms. McGinnis says she worried for the future of the rescue shelter

“We have been getting a lot of rumors that the county may end up shutting us down and turning it back over to a kill shelter,” McGinnis said.

Cynthia McGinnis says the thought of euthanizing her furry friends is heartbreaking.

“The thoughts of any of them being put down, killed, it just kills me. It worries me,” McGinnis personally stated.

Ms. McGinnis says the shelter receives around $15,000 each year from the Martin County government .

“We spend anywhere around $800 to $1,000 a month on utilities and bills,” explained McGinnis.

Money for food and medical bills comes from donations by generous private citizens and charity organizations.

“If it wasn’t for donations, all of these animals wouldn’t get medical care,” said McGinnis.

Ms. McGinnis says she understands the local economy struggles but hopes she and the county can reach an agreement.

“So hopefully, they will have that heart. Killing is not the solution, it’s not,” McGinnis pointed out.

According to WYMT-TV, they reached out to new Martin County Judge-Executive Elect Bill Bo Davis.

Davis says he “absolutely” does not plan to make the rescue shelter a kill shelter. In fact, Judge-Executive Davis told WYMT that he hopes to improve conditions at the animal shelter.