Jefferson County Humane Society P.O. Box 475 Fenton MO  63026                    

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Reprinted with permission of the Suburban Journal Newspapers of Greater St. Louis, LLC.

ANDREW JANSEN PHOTO The Jefferson County Humane Society wants to raise money for a new Animal Control shelter.

Move afoot to raise funds for new animal shelter
Donations sought to replace 'dilapidated' facility

By Sarah AuBuchon
Saturday, March 24, 2007 4:24 PM CDT

Presiding Commissioner Chuck Banks had told the Journal in an earlier article with more pressing items, such as the new juvenile facility, administration building, jail and courthouse renovations, there would be no immediate plans for a new animal shelter.

"I understand there are more important needs for the county and that we're low on the priority list," Wilcox said. "That's why we're looking for other ways to fund a new facility."

Wilcox said his dream for a new shelter would include a centrally located 40x100 concrete building with about 40 indoor/outdoor runs for dogs, a room for cats, storage and office space and a clinic with a spay/neuter facility. He said one of the most important aspects of a new shelter is the need to isolate some animals from public view and control the traffic flow in and out of the shelter.

"One of our main problems right now is we can't control the flow of people coming in and out of the shelter spreading disease to the animals," he said. "People can view dogs in here for rabies observation and dogs under quarantine for disease. We try our best, but we can't supervise everybody all the time. I would like to have a place where we could keep these animals out of the public's view."

Jean Woolery of the Jefferson County Humane Society estimated the cost for the new building to be from around $450,000 up to $700,000. She said small donations from the public are always welcome, but a new shelter would have to come from large donations from a wealthy individual or a larger business.

"I've (raised funds) in other states (for shelters) and have found nickels and dimes don't build shelters," she said. "It's going to take donations from estates or large businesses."

Woolery, who has been involved in animal control most of her life, said the Jefferson County Humane Society has always supported Animal Control.

"I've pushed in the past to get cat and personnel buildings," she said. "I'm sort of their auxiliary and I support them wholeheartedly."

The Humane Society has raised funds for kennel decks, dogloos, large outdoor pens, puppy exercise pens, cat playpens, stainless steel cages and the list goes on and on, but Woolery said more improvements are necessary.

"There is no air purification or air ventilation system for animals," she said. "Airborne diseases cannot be prevented. Also, sometimes the facility is operating outside the state law when the temperatures are not according to state regulations."

Woolery hopes concerned animal lovers will come forward and join her committee to help find ways to raise funds for the new shelter.

"The public has come forward before. I believe we can help Animal Control, with financial support from the community," she said. "There are a lot of animal lovers out there."

Anyone interested in joining the steering committee or making a donation for the new shelter can call Woolery at 314-952-6413, or 636-677-5980. Donations can also be sent to the Jefferson County Humane Society, P.O. Box 475, Fenton, Mo., 63026. All donations are tax-deductible. For more information about the Humane Society, visit its Web site at jeffersoncountyhs.com.

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