KHS: An advocate for the animals

It is true what is said that there are two sides to every story, and we would like to tell of our experiences as volunteers at Kootenai Humane Society.

We started volunteering when the former director was there. We walked dogs, took animals to adoptions events, and assisted the former animal behaviorist with temperament testing. We have been fostering kittens, puppies, momma cats and dogs, animals with medical issues, and geriatric animals for several years. We have experienced the 2-3 hour feeding schedule of a kitten or puppy, struggling to survive, or holding the head of any old dog as they take their last breath.

With our varied volunteer duties, we have had the opportunity to get to know the directors, shelter manager, vet and her staff, and the animal behaviorists. Change is difficult and when you enjoy working with someone and they leave, it's sometimes hard to accept. You may feel that no one else can fill their shoes.

In our experience with the new director and her staff, we have found that their No. 1 priority is the animals. We, too, wondered how things would work out with a staff that may not have had the prior experience for their positions, but we were pleasantly surprised. We have found that with their determination and dedication, they have "breathed new life" into the shelter. By thinking "outside the box," they have instituted new programs that have created more involvement with the community, thus increasing the number of adoptions.

We would like to mention a few of the new programs and changes instituted with the new director and her staff that the previous article didn't mention:

* Long-term dogs are transported to a doggy day care program, at no cost to the shelter, so they can have time away from the shelter and become more socialized.

* High school students participate in obedience classes with the more energetic dogs to increase their chances for adoption.

* Dogs and puppies that contract Parvo are now treated at a local animal hospital, rather than being euthanized.

* If a dog is at the shelter for 30 days, the animal behaviorist notifies rescues and fosters to try to get it out of that environment, which in the long-term, can be very detrimental for most dogs.

* The animal behaviorist has transported dogs to farm/ranch locations to assess their behavior with livestock for potential adopters.

* Cats are routinely rotated through the "happy cat room" to give them more space and stimulation.

* Sick animals have clean and spacious cages in which to recuperate.

* More "reduced adoption fee" days, which allows more people the opportunity to adopt a companion, and opens more space for the "waiting list" animals.

* A new vet that will facilitate more timely spay and neuters, thus making the animals available for adoption sooner. More time is now available to include other procedures such as dental care and the feral cat spay and neuter program.

* Posters highlighting "long timer" animals are featured in the shelter lobby, to help facilitate their adoption.

The new bright and cheery facelift of the shelter was provided by volunteer workers and donated materials, including a donated trailer for the administrative staff. The cat area was greatly expanded, which reduced the cat's stress and facilitated more adoptions especially for the older cats. A storage closet was converted into a cat "meet and greet" room, allowing more interaction with potential adopters. The dog kennels may be old, but they are clean and safe. Each dog has its own bed and blankets. In our experience, most shelters do not provide these comforts.

The dedication of the staff and volunteers is apparent in every aspect of the Humane Society... from the shelter manager's office, where at various times can be found small dogs, ferrets, birds and various rodents, seeking a quieter refuge from the "hustle and bustle" of the shelter ... to the cheerful and competent front desk staff ... to the cage cleaners, etc.

We volunteer at the shelter FOR THE ANIMALS. We aren't interested in the politics as long as the animals are the first priority, and in our opinion, they are at KHS. Please come out to visit the shelter at any time and see for yourself.

Maureen Wright and Shellie Miller are KHS volunteers.