I feel we should revisit the vision, the dream, when the Dog Shelter (DS) was proposed, planned, designed and built. How can community members, dog lovers and advocates be part of the solution to current challenges, rather than exacerbate problems or escalate conflicts unintentionally. How can we provide an optimal forum for sharing ideas and brainstorming, for engaging in fundraising, grant writing, and educational pursuits?
Embracing a vision requires input from multiple parties, revising options, joining together, sometimes with the “end products” totally different from preliminary suggestions.
To start, develop a document identifying current duties/responsibilities/mission of entities and individuals aligned with the DS. This should include the advisory committee, Friends of the Ashland County DS, Homeward Bound, NO PAWZ LEFT BEHIND, dog warden, kennel manager.
Contact information should be provided. Clarify to whom one should go with ideas (types), the protocol, and with questions that should be responded to. Consideration could be given to whether someone could be employed, volunteer, or have as part of his/her current position the role of public relations coordinator.
Fundraising – Publicize the DS “wish list” for what is needed so that people can make purchases directly. Continue having auction-type events, coupled with dog adoption opportunities. Identify specific purpose(s) for what funds will be used for. Encourage local businesses and artists to make donations – specific items or certificates. Local artists could donate paintings of dogs, could “gift” a certificate for painting the bidder’s or a shelter dog.
Items could include theme-related baskets, deluxe dog houses, “carts” for disabled dogs, orthopedic or calming beds, hand-made toys and blankets. Consider creating calendars to be purchased, engaging the community in idea development, design, entry submissions. Tips for adopters could be incorporated.
Grant writing - Volunteers could be involved in researching foundations and writing letters of intent and grant proposals. Research grants and assistance programs for animal welfare organizations, e.g., for emergency veterinarian expenses, for older dogs. Grant options exist where the focus could be on the human-canine connection, healing from trauma.
Educational programming - Topics could include life enrichment while in the DS, and after finding homes; life writing from dogs’ perspectives; how enrichment activities (such as sniffing exercises) could support older/disabled owners; how dogs promote mental health.
All ideas would benefit from collaboration between staff, volunteers, community members, agencies, and County Commissioners. Thanks for your consideration.
Diana L. Spore, Ashland
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Letter: Community can help with Dog Shelter issues
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