Journals > Shelter Makeover > View Entry

10:27pm

Why I Believe MaxFund Should Win the Shelter Makeover

Featuring:

Benny

Minky

Moey

Tippy

Slappy, al…

Squirt

I volunteer for MaxFund because it is a TRUE no-kill shelter. There’s controversy over the term “no kill.” Some critics say it means a no-kill shelter is just a pet store by another name, picking out only the cutest, most adoptable dogs and cats and leaving the rest to suffer death at the hands of a kill shelter.

But if you met the residents of MaxFund, you’d know how far removed from the truth such a claim is. If we were picking the “cream of the crop” in terms of adoptability, why would we have taken in so many blind and deaf puppies? The one-eyed Shar-Pei, or the one with a visible foot deformity? Two sweet poodles with paralyzed rear legs from spinal injuries? The rat terrier whose spine problems make her unable to walk more than a step or two without falling? Traumatized Katrina dogs? Undersocialized dogs who lived in a hoarder’s basement? Feral cats? Cats with FELV or FIV? Yeah, they sound like great pet store “inventory,” don’t they?

The truth is, MaxFund takes in all dogs and cats for which it has room. Yes, some are cute and highly adoptable. But many have physical challenges, behavioral challenges, and/or medical challenges of the type that would relegate them to a quick death at most shelters.

Another claim I’ve heard is that a no-kill shelter just becomes a warehouse for unadoptable dogs and cats. Again, where MaxFund is concerned, that’s not the case. All the dogs and cats have good lives there – even those who have an extended stay. The kennel staff is loving, gentle, and attentive, and makes sure that everyone eats well and sleeps comfortably in a clean kennel or cage with comfy bedding. Of course, the staff doesn’t have time to walk dogs or play with cats, and that’s where volunteers come in to make a real difference in terms of quality of life. We have the best group of volunteers I’ve ever seen anywhere. Thanks to them, the cats get lots of attention, petting, and play time. The dogs get daily walks, treats, and even an opportunity for an off-leash romp at the wonderful Rehab Range. Warehoused? I don’t think so.

And if we were going to “cherry pick” only the adoptable cats, why in the world do we have an FIV room? An FELV room? A feral cat room? Because we believe these cats can and do live good lives, and don’t need to be euthanized, that’s why.

Yes, some dogs and cats are there for a long time. As much as the staff and volunteers do for them, I’m sure they would rather be in their forever home. But are they “warehoused”? Never. They are loved and treasured for who they are, for as long as they need to be at MaxFund. A sanctuary is a dream for us, certainly, but until that dream comes true, we’ll do our best to make sure they have good lives at the shelter.

Thanks to MaxFund, I’ve learned that there is a home out there somewhere for nearly every dog and cat. The Champs program helps to ensure that dogs with special challenges get training, with the help of the wonderful Lorraine May, a master trainer, and dedicated volunteers. I have seen so many dogs overcome issues and find great forever homes, thanks to Champs.

You probably know that MaxFund originated with a stray dog who came to Dr. Bill Suro and Nanci Suro’s attention. The dog, named Max, had been hit by a car and needed surgery and medical care. A can, with the sign “The Max Fund,” was set up in the Suros’ veterinary office. Generous people saw to it that Max got the care he needed. There was money left over, and the MaxFund shelter came to be.

Today, the origins of MaxFund live on with the medical care that is given to stray dogs and cats. This is, to me, the most amazing thing that MaxFund does. Roger and I have had three dogs whose lives were changed thanks to the care given to them by Maxfund:

• Benny, our first Maxfund adoption in 2004, is a black lab mix who arrived at Maxfund after being hit by a car. The owners couldn’t pay for his care, so they relinquished him to MaxFund. MaxFund made him well, and we were allowed to adopt him.

• Minky, our Pomeranian, was our third MaxFund adoption, in 2006. Shortly after arriving at MaxFund, she caught pneumonia. She spent more than a month at the finest veterinary hospitals in the Denver metro area, nearly dying five times. In all, MaxFund spent over $7,000 to save the life of this ancient, cranky, one-toothed Pom! She’s now living the life of a royal Princess with us.

• Copper/Slappy, a stray lab/shepherd mix, came to MaxFund during the final weeks of his life in July, 2007. He had a large swelling on his backside that examination revealed to be inoperable prostate cancer. However, he was still a happy boy who had a little more good livin’ to do. Instead of putting him to sleep, as any kill shelter would have done, MaxFund saw to it that he received the good food and medications he needed, and set about finding him a foster home . . . with us. It was our honor and privilege to love and care for this wonderful dog during his final weeks.

And oh, gosh, I almost forgot about some of the lesser-known things they do for the community. How about giving pet food to people who can't afford it? Boarding for the dogs and cats of homeless people? (I remember one lady who also got a free spay and neuter for her dogs while they were boarding.) Affordable medical services through the MaxFund Wellness Center? Yes, MaxFund does all this and more, quietly and without fanfare.

I suspect the great care that MaxFund lavishes on its dogs and cats has come, in part, at the expense of needed facility improvements. Every bit of the facility is crying out for improvement and/or renovation. The lobby is small and crowded, and the front office is almost unworkable if more than two people are occupying it. Ditto the vet tech station. The big dog garage has to be extremely expensive to heat and cool. The electrical system … well, it makes me cringe to think about it. The laundry room is another one that’s too small for more than two people to occupy.

MaxFund doesn’t have the luxury of government support that many shelters have. We don’t have any contracts with local governments. We don’t get any tax money from the City and County of Denver, where we are located. MaxFund relies on the generosity of individual and corporate donors, and does its best to stretch every dollar as far as it can. The four-star rating from Charity Navigator is proof of MaxFund’s success in that regard. But we desperately need Zootoo’s help and generosity if we are to have a facility that can truly do justice to the dogs and cats in our care.

I am certain that, if MaxFund becomes the beneficiary of $1 million from Zootoo, it will stretch that money as far as it possibly can be stretched. The money will be spent frugally, carefully, and responsibly, with one question always foremost in mind: What is best for the animals?

Thank you, Zootoo. Thank you, Richard Thompson. Thank you, Ellen. Thank you, all of the sponsors and benefactors that have made the shelter makeover contest possible. Thank you on behalf of the animals.