Saving Lives

“It takes a village” - A trip to Hanford Shelter

The best plans often take a detour and that is how today went with my blogging venture. I was unable to secure a wireless internet connection in our location and we did not return to the hotel until after 8pm. Midnight has just past and I am just now blogging about the day’s events after having downloaded photos.

The weather was dark, dreary, and stormy all day with a tornado watch in effect until late afternoon. Heavy rains flooded through the kennels at Hanford shelter where our rescue operation was underway. Located in the small town of Hanford (about 40 minutes outside Fresno) the sight, smell, and sound of so many dogs that needed assistance was both sobering and unsettling. We were confronted with the magnitude of the pet crisis in the central valley of California.

In Fresno and the surrounding 25 unincorporated small towns more than 70,000 animals were euthanized in 2009. Statistics were not available for what percentage comprised aggressive dogs but a shelter director put that figure at less than 2% of all dogs euthanized.

Frequently the stray/hold department for homeless pets in this area is assigned to a police department or other agency that does not have adequate facilities for animal control. Adoption is simply not a focus when pets are only seen as a “control” issue. The sad effect of the staggering numbers is that shelter workers in the region are frequently overwhelmed, desensitized, and defeated by the situation. The Hanford Shelter has 2 part-time kennel workers to care for all of the animals which usually number close to 200 dogs. They also have a dynamic Director who is working hard to change the odds for homeless pets there.

It took a virtual army of “runners,” a recorder, photographer, and the efforts of many others to support Dana as she temperament-tested each dog. The volunteers loaded, crated, and stacked kennels which were later transported to Rambelaine Kennels, who generously offered to house the rescued dogs until we leave on Wednesday am. All puppies were tested for Parvo before leaving the shelter and taken to “safe” housing provided by ARF (Animal Rescue of Fresno.) Kennels were cleaned and virustated and then reloaded into the bus for Tuesdays trips to different shelters.

The hopeful tail wags and canine kisses kept the crew going all day. For those dogs that secured a ride “home” on the Saving Train, their destiny has been changed. But a long 10 hour ride lies ahead, followed by a full day of medical procedures and baths on Thursday so that these lucky dogs will be ready and available for adoption on Friday.

It is after midnight and SOHS staff and volunteers are still entering data into the computer so that when the dogs arrive at SOHS staff can efficiently process the new dogs. Otherwise it can be confusing and time-consuming when breeds and names listed do not necessarily match the photos and previous records.

The day may have been dreary but the end result was a brighter future for 38 dogs. We are extremely appreciative that we live in a community where shelters are no longer full every day all year and we have the opportunity to lend a hand where and when it is needed. That being said, the real solution lies with wide spread spay/neuter acceptance and practice. It does indeed “take a village.”