news-record.com

Have you ever lost a dog or cat and gone to the animal shelter to look for it?

The hopeful “pick me” looks of the animals will break your heart.

Two years ago when our daughter’s beloved beagle disappeared, we checked the Reidsville animal shelter for weeks. Sadly, I recently learned, there are three shelters in the county, not just one.

Was Charlie euthanized in Madison or Eden while we were looking for him in the wrong town?

Now, dedicated volunteers are working hard to raise money for a central animal shelter. Current shelters handle more than 4,000 animals a year with a euthanasia rate of 80 percent.

I spoke with Julie Swanner, fundraising campaign manager, at the Walk for the Animals held Nov. 8 at Freedom Park in Eden.

The county commissioners have pledged to fund a basic center that would accommodate four times the animals that the current facilities hold in a climate-controlled indoor environment on 5 acres on Cherokee Camp Road in Wentworth.

The Rockingham County Animal Shelter Campaign hopes to provide more than the basics.

“The key to animal control is a spay and neuter clinic and education,” said Swanner. “Without that, the new shelter will just fill up.”

The group wants to provide for both a clinic area and education space within the shelter as well as to have areas where potential owners can meet and bond with pets.

Swanner said she expects construction to begin within the next few months. If the group cannot raise enough money to build the facility they envision, they will continue raising money and add on as possible.

A previous Walk for the Animals, held in the spring, raised about $4,000, adding to the total of $135,000 that the group has raised so far.

“We also have a pending grant with the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Swanner said. “We’ve had good community support with the Smith Stokes Drive for Shelter and other groups also helping out. The Harley Owners held a ride, and we recently got a grant from Petco for $5,000.”

Most of the participants in Sunday’s Walk for the Animals were families.

Melissa Vernon brought her stepchildren, Jahavier and Daniel of Reidsville.

“This is my first time walking,” said Melissa. “I worked as a volunteer doing dog rescue work, and I just have a soft spot in my heart for animals.” Daniel agreed: “I just like animals.”

Katie and Drew Stultz came with their grandmother, Joanne Steele of Reidsville, and brought their dog, Gizmo, and Steele’s dog, DD.

It was the first time they had participated in the walk, but Steele has been supporting the animal shelter campaign since she first heard about it.

“When I heard we were getting a new shelter, I went online and looked it up. I’ve been trying to help. I donate 5 percent of my tips every month,” she said.

Steele works at Golden Corral on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro.

“I love my little doggies,” she said. “I have two, and I’d have more if I could afford them.”

Some of the participants were accompanied by their dogs, some just by their love of dogs.

As they turned in sponsorship money, all chose whether to walk the park’s track or nature trail.

The day was beautiful with a bright sun, clear blue sky, and pleasant temperatures. I couldn’t help but feel that fortune was smiling on this worthy cause. 

Joni Carter lives in the Bethany community. Contact her at writetojonicarter@gmail.com