KHS: Animals always come first
I am compelled to respond to the letter printed Oct. 5, which alleges poor conditions and care for the animals at Kootenai Humane Society. That letter couldn't be farther from the truth if it had been written on the moon.
I have volunteered at the shelter in the cat department every summer for a minimum of nine hours per week for the past four years. I have never seen anything but the utmost care and concern for the animals that reside there as they wait for families to adopt them.
Kootenai Humane Society takes in animals that are often abandoned, injured and in the most unfortunate circumstances mistreated and abused. Lucky Lady came to the shelter with a broken jaw. Ernie came to the shelter with food allergies that require special food and a carefully monitored diet. Some animals are so feral or frightened that the employees spend extra time working with the animal to socialize them and help them trust people.
Animals have come in with broken bones and sometimes broken spirits. They have been dropped outside the gate inside duffel bags in the freezing winter. The employees at KHS have shown nothing but love for those animals. They know each animal by name. They know which animals like particular beds, blankets or toys, and make sure they always have them in their cages. When they are finished feeding each animal and cleaning each cage every morning (which takes several hours), they are holding, loving and brushing the animals.
They talk with the public and answer questions about the animals in an attempt to place the right animal with the right family. They do endless loads of laundry and wash mountains of dishes and litter boxes each and every day. They scrub the floors, wash the windows, take out the trash. They monitor medications, nurture animals after surgeries and work hard to fight off the inevitable illnesses and coughs found in crowded shelters. They celebrate each animal that finds a loving home. But the most important thing they do (and probably the primary reason they work at KHS) is love each animal that comes through the shelter doors.
After being in the trenches with KHS employees, I can say with certainty that they are not paid enough for the work they do. Did you know that KHS employees just had their hours cut? They are now trying to accomplish the same things in less time. Instead of writing poorly-researched letters criticizing KHS, I suggest you sign up for a volunteer orientation and then step alongside the animals and employees at KHS and see the truth first hand. I promise you that you will be inspired. And you'll probably make some good friends along the way.
HEATHER SOLSVIK
Coeur d'Alene