GALLIA UPDATE

Dog shelter gets a make over
by Elizabeth Rigel
1 month ago 525 views 0 2

Gallia County Dog Warden/Shelter Manager Jean Daniels is pictured with a young male dog she calls Tommy that is waiting to be adopted from the Gallia County Animal Shelter by a nice family or individual. Elizabeth Rigel/photoslideshow
GALLIPOLIS — The Gallia County Animal Shelter has begun to take on a new look, coinciding with some changes recently made at the shelter.Aside from new management, some interior repairs and a new canine sorting system, the shelter is also taking on a different look outside with the addition of landscaping.Jean Daniels took over as dog warden/shelter manager approximately five weeks ago after having worked as a volunteer at the shelter for the better part of a year. She credits the county commission for getting the ball rolling, beginning with the development of a new description for the position.Though they may not have all the kinks smoothed out yet, Daniels and Deputy Dog Warden Jason Harris are working to adapt to the changes with some aid from members of the community along with some local veterinarians and businesses.Daniels recently implemented a system for sorting canines, which includes a five day quarantine for new dogs so as not to spread any sicknesses or diseases to the general population, along with the specifying 18 regular runs for dogs and four runs for puppies.“We can run into problems when people drop off sick dogs because they can then infect others,” Daniels said. “We’re working to control that better.”On this day, the shelter is home to approximately 50 canines, which makes things a bit overcrowded, but Daniels assures that roughly a third of those dogs will soon be rescued. In fact, rescues have risen tremendously in recent leading to a subsequent drop in the number of euthanizations performed. Animal shelter staff has been working hard to send out dog information to contacts who put them in touch with people willing to rescue. Daniels said that they have made some deals on rescue fees for people taking entire litters of puppies and members of the community are also helping out by transporting dogs for rescue.“If we can get dogs out then we don’t have to feed them and don’t have to euthanize,” Daniels said.She added that the amount of food available often plays a part in how many dogs can be kept at the shelter as they are only required to keep an animal for three days before it can be euthanized.“They best thing that people can do for the shelter is to get their animals spayed and neutered,” Daniels said.Female dogs can give birth to two litters per year, but male dogs can play their part in the reproduction cycle every day of their adult lives, she added.Community involvement also plays a significant role in the operation of the shelter. Local veterinarians have offered discounted rates for dogs needing treatment; Tractor Supply plans to host adoption days once a month, offers the shelter discounted dog food, and collects donations; the Busy Barnyard hands out flyers and collects donations; Davidson’s Landscaping has offered to design the planting area; and a 4-H group is going to help plant and tend the landscaping, which is also being donated. Daniels said that a young man recently came in to volunteer and spent his time pulling ticks off of dogs.“I absolutely love it here, there’s just not enough time in the day to get all of the things done that I want to have here,” Daniels said. “I’ve got all these little ideas that I want to try, but it can’t all happen right away.”Some of those ideas include putting up a website for local people who lose their dogs, laying safety matting on the floors, fencing in a section of the yard, adding drop boxes, and selling promotional items such as leashes and collars containing the shelter’s logo.Adoption fees are $45 and include a $7 shelter fee, $3 food fee, $5 license fee, and $30 for a spay/neuter voucher, which are honored by Four Seasons Veterinarian Clinic, French Town Veterinarian Clinic, and Riverbend Animal Clinic. Rescue fees are $13 for adult dogs and $13 for a litter of puppies.The animal shelter is always in need of donations whether they be monetary or otherwise. Items needed include bedding, food (puppy and adult), towels, treats, sturdy toys, grooming supplies, crates, printer supplies, and a washer and dryer. Monetary donations can be earmarked for specific uses and are needed for medications, equipment, facility, spay/neuter, training, and general purposes. Volunteers are needed for adopt-a-thons, outside upkeep, fundraising, walking dogs, fostering puppies and dogs with special needs, and transporting dogs to rescue connections. Citizens are reminded that donations are tax deductible.Office hours at the shelter are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment, though Daniels is usually around as long as she’s not out on a call.“If my car’s here, then I’m here,” she said.