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Walking the Dogs at the Humane Society |
Anne Centers | 1/22/07
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It was Wednesday morning. A group of people, today all women, met at 10 am to walk the dogs at the Humane Society Shelter. Jean Carson started the tradition in 1997. Two women were waiting when I arrived. Although a little disappointed I wasn’t a volunteer, they were charmed with the idea that I was writing a story.
I didn’t think I could hold a leash and take pictures at the same time. So I ran ahead or followed behind the women who were walking the dogs, each supplied with a baggy of cut-up hot dogs – a tasty treat for canines. Continued...
Every which way but loose. Photos: Anne Rachel Centers. |
Bow, a smaller dog, was bounding five feet straight into the air over and over, waiting for his turn to be put on a leash and taken for a walk. The dogs were in the outdoor cages during the brilliantly sunny day. They go inside at night. The view was spectacular as we headed down the road to give the dogs and ourselves exercise in the crisp fresh air.
"The shelter will be moving, hopefully by June 30", said Linda Lawrie, President of the Humane Society, as Toby the dog walked along beside her. According to Lawrie, they have purchased 11 acres from BLM near the industrial section on Cloman Boulevard. Manager Sheila Farmer showed me the plans being considered for the new facility. They need to be approved by the County Planning Department; the engineer has already made changes. Included will be a room for dogs to greet and get to know their potential family. They hope to have the foundation done in February. The temporary metal building for Phase One should arrive in March. Continued...
Bow the bounding dog. With a one second delay on the camera, I never could catch him. |
Wendy Stacey, "keeper of the cats," explained the microchip program. All animals that are in the shelter have a tiny, slim chip inserted under their skin called a transponder. Microchips are passive, or inert, RFID devices and contain no internal power source. They are designed so that they do not act until acted upon.
A scanner is run across the area where the transponder is located. A number appears on the scanner. That number is typed into the computer which then pulls up information about that animal. Gender, age, name, owner’s names, previous owner’s names, notes about the dog or cat. According to Wendy, the Town requires any animal lost, picked up and taken to the shelter to get a microchip. The cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Continued...
The transponder is the tiny red line in the middle of the key ring. It fits into the needle which inserts it under the animal's skin. |
Stray animals are kept separate for the first five days to make sure they are healthy. They are tested, given vaccinations and are treated medically if needed. Various vets are used in the area for problems that cannot be taken care of by staff. All vets give the shelter a discount on services.
There is a State law requiring any animal in a truck to be tethered or in a dog house, but it’s not enforced. The shelter has gotten dogs that have fallen off trucks and were injured in the process. Continued...
A cremation service is provided at the shelter when a pet dies. Once cremated, the ashes are returned to the owner. If it’s a smaller animal more than one can be cremated at a time, giving the owners a group rate which is less expensive. If a dog is 71 pounds or over there is only room for that one animal. The cost is around $110. To see the sliding scale go to the website.
Farmer said that some dogs are returned after adopted because it’s not the right fit. This happens sometimes. Continued...
There are many leashes to choose from. |
The shelter has a good reputation for taking care of their animals. While I was visiting, laundry was being done, blankets the dogs lay on for warmth. Food and water bowls are washed daily. The concrete floor had been scrubbed. And something was missing, what was it? No smell! The shelter uses the more expensive cat litter which eliminates odors. Even coming in from outside I did not smell anything that indicated there were animals in the facility.
Farmer introduced me to Cubby, a black cat, once feral. She was lounging in a blue cat pillow on top of a counter in the office. She recently had cancer, but the vet thinks, after undergoing surgery, she'll be okay. Cubby is not just window-dressing, she has a job to do. She can quickly tell if a dog is animal aggressive. Continued...
Cubby the working cat. |
The animals have their pictures and biographies posted on the Internet. A man drove all the way from California to adopt one. Another was sent to New York to live with its new owner.
The Hills Company (Science Diet) donates the food, but the shelter pays for shipping. A five-pound bag of food is included in a starter-kit that goes home with each cat or dog you adopt. The animals have been spayed or neutered, the microchip inserted and have been well cared for. Continued...
Carol Young, a nurse, comes once a week to walk the dogs and brush the cats and Sally Ann Rothweilr is on the right. |
The only time any animal is euthanized at the shelter is for medically untreatable conditions or the dog or cat is aggressive; meaning it will attack people or other animals.
About nine dogs had been transferred to the Boulder Valley Humane Society so there were fewer dogs to walk. A friendly mother dog, Whisper, had a litter of seven puppies, all given reindeer names. Although they won’t be ready to adopt for at least a month, you can choose which adorable puppy will be going home with you later. Each animal is given a name by staff members, even if they are there temporarily.
Money to support the Humane Society comes from donations, memberships, the thrift store, annual events and about $20,000 in grants per year. A direct donation can be made, allowing the donor to designate what their money should be spent on—the spay/neuter program—for instance. Continued...
From left to right: Rothweilr, Maggie Hart, Advisory Board member Jean Carson and Board member Carolyn Ullrich chatting at Wolftracks after walking the dogs. |
There are seven staff members, all animal lovers who are doing a tremendous job in the care, attention and affection they bestow on the dogs and cats. Each person is cross-trained to do any job needed, from bandaging paws, giving shots or cleaning. Staff members on that Wednesday also included Jim Sawicki and Mike Hall. Other employees are JoAnne, Pat and Julie.
After the women returned from their first round, I had my turn of walking an adorable two-month-old puppy named Bullet. He was part-Alaskan Husky mix. I, too, was supplied with a baggy of treats. He was just learning to walk on a leash, but did pretty well. Later, I met the group of walkers at WolfTracks, part of their Wednesday-walking ritual. Sally Ann Rothweilr had been walking the dogs since July, but was adopting her third cat, Dodger, that afternoon. Board member Carolyn Ullrich had previously adopted 5 greyhounds from another state. Carson emphasized "Don't feel like you have to bring them home." She just enjoys walking and playing with them at the shelter. Maggie Hart was also part of the walking group. Continued...
Manager Sheila Farmer is holding one of Whisper's pups. |
So grab your friends and make a date with a dog. Come out any day, any time the shelter is open to take the dogs for a walk. Or play with the cats. If you can’t adopt, that’s okay. Carson can’t, neither can I. This is a way to get your doggie or cat fix and get some exercise. You'll feel good about giving one of our four-footed friends love and affection. Meanwhile, they wait for their new owners to arrive and take them home.
Walking is healthy for them and healthy for you!
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