Humane Shelter to showcase changes

VW independent/submitted information

Things have been moving forward at a rapid pace since the reorganization of the Van Wert County Humane Society and the hiring of County Dog Warden Randy Averesch.

Since the creation of the new Van Wert County Humane Society board just four short months ago, the board has concentrated primarily on shelter facility needs.

As part of shelter improvements, the board is getting security cameras installed, has purchased new weight scales, purchased and installed new sewer line material, and purchased new cat cages (and cat hammocks, thanks to a anonymous donation to the shelter) and new/replacement dog beds for the kennels to keep dogs more comfortable by keeping them off the concrete.

“We are trying to get the shelter equipped with the essentials for the animals’ comfort and safety,” said Humane Society Board President Pete Weir, who noted that the 10-member board is getting stronger and more cohesive with each bi-weekly meeting.

Others serving on the board include Brenda Hoffman, vice president; Mark McCleery, treasurer; Kari Kuhn, secretary; and board members Dr. Tom Wilkin, Carole Johnston, Jean Spridgeon, Sarah Robeson, Susan McNeill and Brenda Weaver.

Weir added that Averesch has been instrumental in setting up and installing a grooming and bathing area to make dogs more adoptable, installing a donated washer and dryer (to wash “comfort towels” for the dogs and cats), and has also been busy installing beds in the dog kennels. Lee’s Ace Hardware donated paint and Van Wert Fire Equipment Company provided a first aid kit free of charge.

“If that’s not enough progress, we also have started our volunteer program, which is headed by board member Sarah Robeson,” Weir added. Those interested in volunteering can call 419.605.7612. Volunteers have been meeting on the weekends and putting in extra hours painting the house located on the shelter property (rent proceeds from the house will go directly to fund the Humane Society shelter, and pay for walking the dogs, and transporting animals to area rescues, when necessary).

“They (volunteers) are working hard and we give them all a standing ovation for their time and efforts,” Weir noted.
There are also a number of scheduled events and activities coming up this month, with the first event — the Easter Bone Hunt — coming at 11 a.m. this Saturday (see Easter Egg/Bone Hunt story in the News Page archives for more details)

This Sunday, April 5, the Neuter Scooter will be in Van Wert to provide area residents with an opportunity to get their cat or kitten spayed or neutered at a great price. Prices are as follows: house cats/kittens & outdoor friendly cats/kittens, $60 (pain medication included); feral cats/kittens (born in the wild with no human contact and will be humanely trapped and brought in), $30, including pain medication.

To set an appointment, visit the Neuter Scooter website at www.neuterscooter.com.
The exact location of the event will be given after appointments are set. Bring cats/kittens to the event in a carrier or crate that is marked with the owner’s name.

On Saturday, April 11, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., the Humane Society will have an open house and adoption event at the Humane Shelter, 309 Bonnewitz Ave.

Weir said one of the organization’s biggest concerns right now (and it should be one of area residents’ biggest concerns, if they own a dog) is the parvovirus. The transmission of this disease is very quick and the virus can last up to seven months on grass. There is no treatment for parvo, only symptom care, and it is especially dangerous to puppies and older dogs, so owners should vaccinate their animals.

Weir also added that, in addition to vaccinating, pet owners should spay or neuter their animals, if they haven’t already done so.

“There is so much online information on why this is important (including the health of a pet), while overpopulation of companion animals is epidemic,” he said.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) notes that, each year, approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized (1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats).

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