Humane Shelter makes improvements

VW independent/submitted information

Improvements continue at the Van Wert County Humane Shelter, while donations and volunteers are also being sought to assist in operating the facility.

“We are making great strides in improving conditions at the Van Wert County Humane Society animal shelter,” says newly appointed board Vice President Pete Weir. “Van Wert city and county officials have offered support, as have communities throughout northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana. We are building on the best practices and policies of our neighboring shelter communities.”

A newly formed Humane Society Board of Trustees conducts extensive meetings every other week to update policy, create new adoption and volunteer applications, and establish new adoption procedures; all with the intention of protecting the approximately 40-50 dogs and cats taken in by the shelter each month.

Improvement projects underway include the installation of fencing to increase the animals’ exercise area, the furnishing of large metal cabinets for shelter storage, and the addition of surveillance/security equipment. The Humane Society board communicates weekly with Van Wert County Sheriff Tom Riggenbach, and the sheriff provides weekly reports from Deputy Sergeant Randy Averesch, who serves as the newly appointed dog warden.

Community organizations are also pitching in. The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce’s Fall 2014 Leadership Class will make improvements to the Humane Society office and shelter, and local Scout Troop 35, sponsored by First Presbyterian Church, will make yard exercise equipment for the animals. Vantage Career Center students are currently creating a Humane Society website to promote the profiles of animals available for adoption and access to necessary shelter forms.

Recent individual contributors include Avery Amweg, a generous local child, who donated pet supplies collected en lieu of gifts at her recent birthday party, and Grace Doctor, who raised $151.12 from a Van Wert Middle School project and donated it to the shelter.

“Together, we will make the Van Wert County Humane Society shelter the best possible environment for lost and homeless dogs and cats,” Weir said.

Reorganization was needed after the firing of former county dog warden Rich Strunkenburg and his subsequent indictment on animal cruelty charges earlier this year. There remains much work to be done, however, and the Van Wert County Humane Society is in need of volunteers and donations. Applications are available on the shelter’s Facebook page and by contacting the shelter directly. Items needed include the following:

• 240 feet of 6-foot tall chain link fencing and horizontal support poles, 35 posts, and 
three 6-foot gates.
• Large metal cabinets for storage
• Surveillance/security equipment
• Metal or plastic cat cages
• Office desk and two chairs
• Counters for around the sink in kennel

Those with items to donate can call the Humane Shelter.

One fundraiser is coming up soon. Good Old Santa Paws is coming to town and stopping to pose with pets at 540 Martial Arts, 134 E. Main St., Saturday, December 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Come get your ‘fur kids’ (or your children’s) picture taken with Santa and the Grinch,” says Shad Robison of 540 Martial Arts. “Photos are free; however, donations to the Van Wert County Humane Society are encouraged and appreciated.”

540 Martial Arts is a Van Wert-based school offering classes for youth and adults specializing in Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Photo sessions are being donated by Gibby’s Photo in Van Wert. Remember to bring pets on a leash.

Also on Saturday, December 13, dine at Bob Evans (761 W Ervin Road in Van Wert) and support the Van Wert County Humane Society. The restaurant is donating 15 percent of its sales to the animal shelter that day. Diners must present a community fundraiser flyer at the time of purchase. The flyer is available on the Shelter Pets of Van Wert and Van Wert County Humane Shelter’s Facebook pages. Dining donation hours are between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. that day.

For more information, contact the Van Wert County Humane Society at 419.238.5088, or Weir at 419.203.5212 or email him at weirbuckeyes@roadrunner.com.