Happy Tails Adoption Center update meetings set for Monday, July 29

Happy Tails Adoption Center update meetings set for Monday, July 29 News Staff Fri, 07/26/2024 - 09:25 Image

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Happy Tails Adoption Center (HTAC) Animal Shelter of Shelby County will host a pair of informational meetings Monday, July 29, to update the public on the status of animal welfare in the community and the group's "Save 'Em All" campaign.
One session is scheduled from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m., and the second session is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. "Each session will include an overview of Happy Tails, a nonprofit 501©3 all-volunteer organization with an opportunity for questions and answers," said Stephanie Elswick, HTAC president.
Guests are welcome to bring lunch to the noon meeting, while light refreshments will be provided at the evening session.
Both sessions will be held at the Community Center at 425 San Augustine Street in
Center. Attendees will be among the first to see the master plan for the future Happy Tails Adoption Center – Animal Shelter of Shelby County.
"Happy Tails recently assumed oversight and care of nine dogs removed on Sunday from an impoundment facility which had been under contract with the City of Center," Elswick said.
The organization is about 18 months old with successful operation of an online foster-based adoption program, a low-income spay and neuter program, and the Happy Tails Pet Pantry providing pet food and supplies to Shelby County seniors and low-income families.
"Through the help of our generous donors and supporters, Happy Tails has been able to pay for more than $11,500 in spay and neuter services along with medical care for Shelby County dogs and cats in the first six months of 2024," she said.
One of the long-term goals included in the initial five-year plan of Happy Tails was to eventually create an animal shelter facility. With the recent closing and reorganization of the City of Center operations, that goal has been placed on a fast track to make that vision a reality sooner, Elswick said.
"We are kicking off a capital fundraising campaign to bring Center and Shelby County a quality shelter our communities can be proud of," she said. "In conjunction with a strong show of support from a local family, support of the City of Center, along with the pro-bono services of an architect, we can make that happen."

"The family of retired Shelby County veterinarian Dr. Robert Hughes has
graciously allowed Happy Tails to utilize Dr. Hughes former clinic as a temporary shelter to house and provide care for the dogs removed from Center's former impoundment," Elswick said. "Architect David Golden, a former resident of Shelby County and graduate of Center High School, has offered the services of Lufkin- based McKinley-Golden Associates to start work on preliminary plans for a more permanent shelter."
Elswick said the Happy Tails board of directors is in negotiations with the Hughes family to use the property surrounding the former vet clinic for a shelter on a more permanent basis.
"While we do not have firm cost estimates yet, we know the planned facility will come with a hefty price tag," Elswick said. "Kennel equipment meeting state and industry quality standards is expensive."
The first phase of the "Save 'Em All" Campaign has a goal of raising $200,000 over the next few months, Elswick said. That is part of a multi-year fundraising effort with a goal of raising approximately $750,000 to gradually enhance and expand the planned facility in phases.
"Phase I of this plan will allow Happy Tails to move forward with the acquisition of kennel equipment, the development of plans, and the start of construction of a shelter and the furnishing of the facility," she said. "During this process we plan to remain a volunteer-based organization providing animal welfare services and a shelter serving all of Shelby County."
Elswick said public support and encouragement for Happy Tails has been
overwhelming. "With this community support, we know Happy Tails can make this vision a reality," she said. "As the plight of the conditions of dogs rescued from the former city impoundment has become public knowledge, this community has already stepped up in a big way."
In recent days, the "Save 'Em All" campaign has already raised nearly $5,000 to kickstart the effort, Elswick said.
"In addition to monetary donations, Happy Tails needs volunteers willing to walk dogs, clean out kennels, ensure the dogs are fed and watered, take animals to the vet clinic for medical needs, and help provide general care for them," she said.
"We are also recruiting board members and volunteers willing to invest time and talent to make this vision a reality."
The Monday sessions should provide people interested in hearing more about specific needs, Elswick said.
Donations can be made through a GoFundMe drive on the organization's
Facebook page, or through Venmo: @happytailstexas; and mailed donations to: Happy Tails, P.O. Box 1049, Center TX 75935.
"Any and all help in this effort is appreciated," she said. "No donation is too small or too large."