An open house is planned Saturday to raise more money for Trooper, a miniature Australian shepherd, and other animals like him, who have been picked up by Animal Control officers or brought to the animal shelter for disposal.
Rachel Parris, shelter manager, said local businesses have donated a host of items for a raffle that will be held at the open house, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the shelter. The activity is being held in conjunction with National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.
Trooper, a 2-year-old miniature Australian shepherd, was brought into the shelter with an open foot wound. It was later discovered that all the metacarpal bones in that foot were shattered, and his medical care has been expensive but productive.
“He’s doing great,” Parris said. “They haven’t mentioned amputation again so hopefully that’s not going to be an issue.”
Trooper now is ready to be adopted, although he will continue to have medical expenses until his recovery is completed. The person who adopts Trooper will be responsible for those expenses from the date of adoption.
“We’re taking care of these (current expenses) but it’s going to be ongoing,” Parris said. “... It’s going to be many months. We don’t have the space” to keep Trooper indefinitely.
She said that while Trooper occupies a pen, other animals must be euthanized because of lack of space.
A photo of Trooper, who has become a favorite among shelter associates, will be posted during Saturday’s event, and donations earmarked for Trooper’s medical expenses will be accepted.
Bobby D’s will donate lunch for the first 80 people who attend. Parris said a $5 donation is suggested for the meal, which includes a sandwich and a side order, plus a dessert cake donated by Interstate Bakeries.
“All the proceeds will go to animal medical care so we can hopefully increase the amount of vaccinations we can give them,” Parris said. “I would like to give them everything, but that’s not cheap.”
Parris said the shelter pays a veterinarian to give the animals rabies shots, and she would like to be able to provide a five-in-one shot for the dogs. The multipurpose shot includes a vaccine for distemper, corona, hepatitis, kennel cough and the Parvo virus.
Unusual medical expenses, like those for Trooper, also arise for the shelter, its workers and the volunteers.
Parris and about 15 volunteers are expected at the shelter during the day, to help clean the cages and grounds, serve lunches, answer questions and sell raffle tickets. Volunteers also will take the dogs outside so people can interact with the animals.
Raffle tickets priced at $1 per ticket are available at the animal shelter, Emporia Fitness and from volunteers. Tickets will be sold at the open house prior to the drawings.
Prices include gift certificates, movie passes, Emporia Fitness memberships, “family packs” for free bowling, shoes, pizza and soft drinks for a family of five and an assortment of specialty packages.