10/26/2024
Good job.🐶
𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸
𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗘𝗢
I recently sat down with Heather Allen, whose heart beats for the Graham Humane Society of Young County and who longs for a day when there are no discarded or mistreated animals, a day when the shelter is empty because there is no further need for them, and a day when all animals are well tended and loved. But today, they will continue their valuable work for the animals they protect and provide for.
Shelby Brogdon, the Director of the local animal shelter, runs it with an extremely talented and committed staff and a Board with a passion for their work.
So, I asked, “What is the most rewarding thing about working with the shelter?” I heard that for Heather, Shelby, the staff, and the Board, it is when an animal finds a new home! The added joy is receiving updates from the new pet’s family throughout the years. It is also rewarding to see the condition and behavior of a pet that comes into the shelter, to watch what the staff does with them, and how their behaviors change when they feel loved and cared for.
The shelter’s staff received glowing reviews. They are willing to take classes to improve and serve the pets with as much knowledge and expertise as possible. Several are currently taking vet tech courses to better serve the animals not only in the shelter but also in our community through the pet clinics offered by the shelter.
The next thing we talked about was shelter capacity. I often see on social media that the shelter is full and foster homes or adoptive homes are needed. Heather confirmed that. On the day we met, there were close to 30 dogs with only 24 kennels and 61 cats with an average capacity of around 50 cats. That is why fostering and adopting is so critical and easy. You can contact the shelter anytime to schedule an appointment and complete an application. You can foster on a trial basis if you are so inclined. Bear in mind the guidelines and policies are intended to protect the animals. Heather is an advocate for fostering – she has fostered over 300 dogs! Heather jokingly shared that she works to buy dog food! Being a parent of two dogs at my house, I understand that!
Besides fostering and adopting, how I learned we each can help:
• Monetary donations to the shelter are always a great start.
• Spay and neuter your animals.
• Microchip your animals and keep the information up to date.
• Follow the Humane Society of Young County on Facebook and see the wish list of items needed and help that way.
• Become a volunteer at the shelter and involve your children if you have them.
• Remember the shelter around the holidays.
We closed our visit with some great news! The shelter is expanding. The building is ready, and heating, cooling, and insulation have been installed. However, kennels are needed to fill the space, and the correct type of kennels is costly. Consider making those donations—or even hosting a fundraiser to benefit the Humane Society of Young County.
Last, along with Trunk or Treat on the Square, there will be a pet costume contest on Halloween night (October 31) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with some wonderful prizes sponsored by Saylor General Contractors, Inc. and other donations! A few HSYC pets might even be available for adoption in attendance at The Plaza on the Square. Bring your 4-legged family members along!