A Busy July at the Shelter

July was such a busy month there was so much going on in the shelter that it was hard to find time to do anything besides care for the animals.

Remembering Our Sweet Souls

We lost some sweet souls and we still miss them but know that for each things are better. Oliver and Nicky had cancer that had progressed to the point where we had no choice and had to relieve their pain. Laura was a sweet girl we had for a very short time but was so badly neglected and abused that there was no option. Clifford who had spent a wonderful long time in a foster home came back to us and within weeks he had a case of bloat, he was a great dane/mastiff mix and it came on very quickly, we got to the vet and he was to the point that he could not continue. I believe sometimes God works in ways we do not understand or want, but it is often for the best, Clifford lived with a loving family who showed him kindness and care, he did not spend a long time in a kennel. And after 1000s of spay and neuters we had our first real complication. Beyonce was in her kennel and passed from a massive internal bleed. As with people there are always risks with surgery.

I believe sometimes God works in ways we do not understand or want, but it is often for the best.

Adoptions and Intakes in July

But on the flip side we had adoptions in July 44 dogs and 26 cats, sadly we took in 54 dogs and 20 cats.

Transformations and Recoveries

There have been many that make us proud and very happy because animals in terrible shape came into our care and we have worked hard to make them well and happy. No one ever says a shelter is a great place, but we are doing our best to make the animals comfortable and feel loved. We have had dogs like Blondie who were completely shut down and terrified and has now become a social butterfly (though one that needs some training!) We have cats that we adore and almost all the kittens who started out as tiny often very sick little babies who required bottle feeding are now happy, playful kittens waiting for a home.

Gratitude for Our Community

None of this is possible without the extremely dedicated staff we have and the wonderful, priceless volunteers who come here and help wherever needed. And the people who donate to us with dollars, dog food, cat food, litter and all the other hundred items used to keep this place going. But most of all the love we get from the animals and the love and support we get from the community makes all this possible.

Mural Painting Event

Hopefully many of you were at the painting of the mural on the building. We had the community help with painting the mural, rock painting (many of which are spread out around the building) a bounce house and water slide and food truck. It was a great day, so much fun. If you haven’t seen the mural come by and take a look. The front of the building has a memorial to Dr. Hermann and ACO Darrian Young both taken far to soon and then we have some paintings of animals that were here in the shelter.

Facility Upgrades

We also replaced the sink and cleaning area for feed bowls and items and installed commercial washer and dryer that hold four times what the other washer held. We no longer have to go to the laundry nor are overwhelmed with laundry waiting to be done.

Next Project: New Cat Room

The next project we would like to accomplish is an addition to the front of the building where the door is, by building two walls and reconfiguring a few things we can create a cat room where we will be able to house cats in a “colony” setting instead of individual cages. We are hoping to have room for them to play, climb and relax. Also it will be away from barking which can stress the cats. If we are able to accomplish a new cat room the next step would be to redesign the area where the cats are housed now and that would become an isolation area for new dogs coming into the shelter.

Commitment to Shelter Improvements

We have accomplished so much in a relatively short amount of time. We do not own the shelter we are a vendor for the county. As the Humane Society this was a decision the current board made to improve the shelter, knowing that the improvements are for the benefit of the animals. We have sold the property on Monroe which was to be a new shelter location but after covid things had changed so drastically the project was not feasible.

Our Donors Made This Possible

So every effort has been made to improve the life of the animals by using funds to replace much of what was donated toward a new shelter. So please know that if you donated that donation was not in vain. Improvements are made all the time in the building and in care.