Great small town shelter

For a small town in WV where pet overpopulation is very high, poverty is also high, and few laws exist to support solving the problems of pet overpopulation this shelter does very well. Their facilities are out dated and do not have the capacity or systems to provide the best care possible for animals. But they do the best they can with the limited resources and facilities they do have. I have been personally involved with this shelter for more than 3 years and have seen many improvements. However, they are constrained by limited funding and by their own good reputation. Because they do have a reputation in this community and the surrounding areas, people drive hours to bring their animals to this open admission shelter. Thereby increasing the intake of animals this shelter must deal with substantially. This shelter cares for almost 5000 animals a year, with room for 100 at a time, a staff of 11 and very limited financial resources.

Their best attribute is the people. Those that work there love the animals. They really want the best for them and care about them tremendously. Many in the community reach out to help in any way possible. Volunteers spend time there every day walking dogs and cuddling cats. And the community tries to help when and where they can. But its a big job and without help by law or by incredible gifts - like this ZooToo makeover would be, it will be a long and difficult journey to really change things for this community and their animals here. We are in such need of a low cost spay/neuter option to deal with the overpopulation problem, that without some great gift, we are a long way from that becoming reality.

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[updated on 2008-02-08 19:26:04]:
This zootoo contest further reinforces what I knew but even more. We have lots of great poeple in our community that believe in what we do and are trying to do for our homeless animals. Thanks to you all that are out here working to earn points for the Humane Society of Parkersburg!!!!

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