In part because of the worsening economy, the Emporia Animal Shelter, 1216 Hatcher St., is running at or near capacity lately, and it’s likely to get more crowded as spring arrives and kitten season gets in full swing.
Despite high numbers, the shelter has had a low euthanasia rate this year thanks to help from the H. Dale Buck Animal Welfare Memorial Fund, more commonly known as the Buck Fund. Gary Smith, chief of the Emporia Police Department, which runs the animal shelter, said the shelter was able to rescue 50 animals last month and only 15 animals had to be euthanized.
“We’ve gotten a lot of help from the Buck Fund,” said Peggy Derrick, shelter manager.
Derrick said the Buck Fund has been focusing on saving animals in this area. She said two people from the Buck Fund spent countless hours working on finding homes for unwanted or strayed animals.
“I let them know what is here and they find help,” Derrick said.
The animals in Lyon County and Emporia need all the help they can get. The Emporia Animal Shelter has 44 single dog pens and 25 cat pens — and those fill up fast during the busy season.
“We’ve been pretty full lately,” Derrick said. “We’ve had a lot of surrenders. As many owner surrenders as we’ve had strays.”
Derrick added that many owners surrendering their animals say they can no longer afford to take care of them.
“This is part of the poor economy,” Derrick said. “The main reasons are they are moving and they just can no longer take care of them.”
Smith said every day is busy at the shelter and animals coming in aren’t just from Emporia — they are from Lyon County as well.
“It’s been pretty busy, there’s been no down time,” he said.
Kitten season is right around the corner and Derrick said the shelter has already seen some kittens coming in.
“That will be coming,” Derrick said.
Smith said one way to prevent animals from coming into the shelter is for animals to be confined. The Emporia Police Department is clamping down on violators of the leash law and tagged animals. All animals in Emporia must have city tags.
“It probably would be wise not to let your animal run free,” Smith said. “It could be expensive.”
Although getting a citation can be expensive to the owner, the animal running loose risks getting hurt.
“It’s pretty irresponsible,” Smith said.
Another way to keep the population down is to have animals spayed and neutered.
“That would minimize the problem,” Smith added.
Several repairs have been done to improve the shelter as well. The entire building was mudjacked and steel piers were placed under it. Cracks that previously were large are now gone. More work will be done on small cracks in the floors. Water is now draining away from the building — previously it had come into the building.
The animal shelter could use donations from supplies to cash. The shelter’s spay and neuter assistance fund is nearly exhausted, Smith said.
“We haven’t seen many donations,” Smith said.
Derrick said the shelter is in need of puppy, kitten and adult dog food. The shelter does not need any adult cat food at this time. The shelter’s canned food supply is running low as well. Cat litter also is needed.
Smith added that people wishing do donate to the Emporia Animal Shelter should send donations to the Emporia Police Department, 518 Mechanic St., Emporia, KS 66801 and indicate the money is for the animal shelter. The shelter and the police department hope to raise $20,000 for its spay and neuter program.
“They are a lot more adoptable if they are spayed and neutered,” Smith said.
outdoorsman25 (anonymous) says...
Why don't they contact the local pet food companys for donations of food and what not? Safeway and Menu?
February 17, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Hey Menu, how about some dog food? I'll even go pick it up and deliver it.
February 17, 2009 at 9:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
At least people are giving up their dogs and not starving them to death like you see in bigger cities. But police can't handle all the strays and neither can Animal Control. People - don't let your dogs run wild!
February 18, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )