(1) The General Assembly finds and declares that humane societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals organized under the laws of this state now or hereinafter in effect are public organizations necessary to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizenry of this state and are discharging a government function.
(2) The General Assembly finds and declares that the appropriation of public funds for the use of humane societies in the maintenance and operation of shelters for stray, diseased, neglected, and other animals and in the protection of the public from disease among such animals is a public use of the funds in the discharge of a government function.