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Chris Cooper

Managing Editor

Recent work has been done at the Logan County Animal Shelter, which will allow for additional recreational space for the dogs. The changes are welcomed by the Logan County Humane Society, which runs the shelter, as efforts are always being made to help make the animals more comfortable during their stay.

Numerous concrete pads have been poured around the grounds of the shelter that will act as the flooring for outdoor kennels. This allows for a cleaner area for those dogs who want to get outside for some fresh air.

Logan County Humane Society Director Kathy Maddox said the pads will help in so many ways.

“Before, the dogs kennels laid on the ground, and unfortunately during bad weather, they got quite messy,” Maddox said.

Cleaning is one of the top priorities at the shelter and it never seems to lighten up, Maddox said. When the kennels were on the ground and it rained, it was muddy a lot. In fact everything got muddy, from the doghouses to the water and food bowls.

Another addition is a third dog run. The dog runs allow a large space for animals to run and get exercises. This is very important, Maddox said, because dogs can get depressed if they are not able to get out and be active. The shelter has several inside kennels, however, they are small and there is not much room. Maddox said if the animals were forced to stay inside all day, their socialization skills would diminish and adoptions would plummet.

“Dogs are just like humans, they like to socialize, run and spend time outside,” Maddox said.

The recent additions were paid for with money from a grant received a little over a year ago by the county from the Department of Agriculture. The county was awarded $65,000 to be spent on improvements at the shelter. With those funds, the shelter was not only able to get dog runs and concrete pads, but a fence around the perimeter of the property to help with security, a flush valve system to move out waste and a handicap ramp.

“This money came in very handy,” Maddox said. “An animal shelter must continue to grow with the needs of the community and adequately care for the amount of homeless animals that temporarily call the shelter home.”

The Humane Society is planning on doing some aesthetic work at the shelter this spring and summer. Because funds are always hard to come by, the society is planning on partnering with the Russellville Lions Club when the weather gets warmer to raise money to help do some landscaping.

“Our number one goal is to find homes for the animals that come to our shelter, but we also want their home to look pleasing to the public when they come out for visits and hopefully for adoptions,” Maddox said.

If you would like to help the shelter with the landscape project you can call Maddox at 893-3432.