Giving dogs a fur-ever home

By PJ Martin

Editor

The Herald-News

 

Important changes are coming soon to the Metcalfe County Animal Shelter. The current shelter has been taken care of by Dr. David Lafever and his wife Donna since it opened in December 2016. Their hard work has helped over 830 dogs get adopted. The shelter is only equipped to accept dogs. No other type of animal is accepted.

Until recently, the Lafevers were using their personal Facebook page to post shelter dog photos and followers shared the posts. The shelter needed a website and that site is finally up and running. It includes a tab designated to lost and found in hopes of reuniting pets with their owners. In addition to the website, a Facebook page has been created solely for the shelter. You can now view the dogs available for adoption at the following sites.

The website is: https://metcalfecountyanimalshelter.com/

The Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EdmontonAdoptionCenter/

Nonprofit

An attorney is working to make the animal shelter a 501c3 nonprofit. In order to apply as a nonprofit, a shelter board had to be created and the members are Board Chair Donna Lafever, Vice-Chair Larry Wilson, Secretary Lisa Parke, Treasurer Julie Holmes, and Chris Jessie.

Getting the shelter classified as a 501c3 changes the shelter to a non-profit and any donation made by individuals or businesses would be tax deductible.

It also enables the shelter to apply for larger donations and grants that help with food, cleaning supplies, vet treatment, medications, and vaccines. Various funds are available to apply for such as the Rachel Ray Save Them All, ASPCA, Bissel Pet Foundation, and Pedigree Foundation, just to name a few. These foundations and/or organizations donate to shelters around the country.

At this time, the county has a limited amount of money budgeted for reimbursements for the spay and neuter program. If you live in Metcalfe County, after you have your dog’s spay or neuter surgery done, the program will reimburse you $25. You must ask about the program to receive it and funds are limited and run out quickly.

The need for owners to spay and neuter their dogs is tremendous! By spaying and neutering just one male and one female dog, more than 67,000 puppies can be prevented in just 6 years according to SNYP data.

It could help your pet live longer by preventing some types of cancer, it helps improve aggressive tendencies, and the instinct to fight becomes less.

Donations

If you wish to donate, items can be left at the Veterinary Office located at 101 River Road, Edmonton, KY, or The Herald-News office located on the square in Edmonton.

The items needed are: bleach, paper towels, scrub brushes, old sheets/towels/blankets, leases and collars (used), dog treats, dog toys, and used kennels/dog houses. Volunteers to walk the dogs and any monetary donations are always welcome.

In hopes of finding good homes for some of the dogs, a booth was set up at the recent Summerfest celebration by the board members. Donna brought dogs that were long-time shelter residents to the event. It was a great day. Five dogs were adopted!

The main purpose of the shelter is to take care of stray dogs within the county. A few of those may have become lost from their homes. All are checked by a veterinarian, receive vaccinations and deworming, are spayed or neutered, and are put up for adoption. The dogs that need more time are slowly socialized and then put up for adoption.

However, there is a misconception that any dog or puppy will be accepted by the shelter staff. That is incorrect! For example: If a dog is running loose within the city and the owner is located, that dog cannot be accepted at the shelter. The dog is not stray if owned. It is the sole responsibility of that owner to care for and control the dog.

Another example: If your dog has puppies and you do not want the puppies, they cannot be brought to the shelter. It is your responsibility to care for and find homes for the puppies. It is also your responsibility to have your dog spayed to prevent unwanted puppies.

Stray dogs are brought into the shelter by the county’s Animal Control Officer Danny Smith. Occasionally, a dog is found wandering that has an owner, but has become lost. To give owners time to locate their lost pet, all dogs are vetted and put on a 5-day hold before being put up for adoption.

If you are thinking about adopting a dog, don’t buy one from a breeder. Give a shelter dog a chance. You may find your new best friend.

Mission Statement

Our mission at MCAS is to provide loving, safe, and permanent
homes for homeless animals in our community. We are committed
to providing shelter, medical care, and love to animals in need until
they are adopted into loving and responsible homes.