Shelter dedicates new enclosures, announces new project

Published 4:01 pm Monday, July 25, 2022

By Staff Reports

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
By Angela Cutrer
Shannon Posada says animals at the Elizabethton-Carter County Animal Shelter got their own miracle recently thanks to dedicated and thoughtful supporters.
Now, instead of dogs sweltering under the intense sun or shaking from the cold on a wintry day, animals the shelter have covered runs and heated areas while they await new owners. They also have better protection from extreme cold and heat, as well as an area to exercise when the weather is nice.
And it’s all thanks to friends, especially a group called the “Friends of the Elizabethton-Carter County Animal Shelter.”
“We had some people tour the shelter and one said she was really concerned about how to help,” said Posada, director of the shelter. “She said it laid upon her heart about the dogs in extreme weather conditions.
“So she talked to some people who did architectural drawings pro bono and the Friends of the Shelter really got behind the project. They’ve spent more than $70,000 on this project through fundraisers. And we can already tell the difference; the quality time for each dog that spends time here is more comfortable.”
The project included enclosing the back area so that guillotine doors can be pulled open and the dogs can go outside as they please. “This group spent so much time helping us with food drives, adoption events — everything we need,” Posada said. “People from the community gave money as well, and we didn’t have to ask taxpayers to spend money on this. Friends stepped up and made sure it got completed.”
Danny Deal, who serves as fundraiser director for the group, said the community has been supportive. “The Friends group started talking about the enclosure, and now we’ve been able to expand that area by fencing an area outside for the pets,” he said. “It’s much better now that those 11 enclosures keep them safe from the heat and the cold.”
Deal said that private donors helped with the project, as did funds raised from a 5K in February. “We might also be doing a rodeo in early October, Barktoberfest fundraiser in October at Riverside Taphouse and a joint effort with the Bonnie Kate Theatre for a Christmas concert in early December.”
On Aug. 7 a noncompetitive fun show by the Appalachian Saddle Club at the Evening Breeze Arena will benefit the shelter. After that, a golf tournament scheduled for Aug. 20 at the Elizabethton Golf Course will raise funds for a spay and neuter addition to the shelter.
No matter what comes in the future, Posada said right now, those in her care are safe and comfortable. And she can’t say thank you enough.
“Our furry friends at the shelter can never thank [donors and the Friends group] enough for completing this project,” she said.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

More News

Carter County Sheriff’s Department reports arrests

Tennessee launches new grant program to lower the cost of adoptions

Safe Haven Baby Box #290 comes to Carter County

Senior Center Schedule

Print Article

SportsPlus

  • Special Section

    More special sections