Offers tips for pets and fireworks for July 4 and beyond
By Barb Pert Templeton
When you’re providing homes for over 200 animals keeping them warm and comfortable can become challenging.
Keeping that in mind St. Clair County Animal Control recently put out a call seeking donations of blankets and towels that can be utilized to bring some comfort to both cats and dogs housed at their facility.
A recent post on the St. Clair County Animal Control Facebook page stated: “We have the need of blankets and large towels; we are completely out of them. We have over a hundred cats and 30 dogs in our care and we are going through so much laundry. We really need throw blankets, small, medium, and large blankets to keep our animals cozy and clean We cannot use stuffed comforters or pillows.’
All donations can be left at facility located at 3378 Griswold Road during normal business hours which are Monday- Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
St. Clair Animal Control currently has 250 more animals in house then what they had at this time last year.
In addition to donations, St. Clair Animal Control Director Melissa A. Miller offered tips about keeping your animals safe and secure in this month of fireworks celebrations.
“The biggest takeaway is to make sure your pet is wearing a collar with ID, that your microchip information is up to date, and to walk dogs on leash for potty walks after dark,” Miller said. “Michigan allows fireworks until the 5th, but expect them to continue through the 8th.”
Blue Water Healthy Living also posed a number of other questions to Miller about the Animal Control facility in the county.
Blue Water Healthy Living: Does the need for blankets and towels happen often – few times a year?
Melissa A. Miller, director St. Clair Animal Control: We regularly ask for donations for comfort and enrichment items as well as specialty items, like our Kitten Wishlist during kitten season.
BWHL: Where do the blankets and towels normally come from?
Miller: Blankets and towels come solely from donations.
BWHL: How are they used in the shelter?
Miller: They are used for comfort items in the kennel. Washcloths and hand towels are used for cleaning
BWHL: Where do the animals come from? Strays, dropped off?
Miller: Animals come in a variety of ways: stray dogs, scheduled owner surrenders, sick/injured cats, orphaned kittens, safe-holds for emergency response, cruelty/neglect cases, and dangerous dog situations.
Donations of blankets and towels are currently being sought for St. Clair County Animal Control.
BWHL: How are things going as to numbers half way through this year?
Miller: We have had over 250 more animals this year compared to this time last year.
BWHL: Does the shelter ever need food donations?
Miller: Yes, we are in need of cat wet food pate for making mush for kittens, added protein for adults, and medications.
BWHL: How many employees do you have today?
Miller: We have one Licensed Veterinary Technician, two Fulltime Animal Care Technicians, one Parttime ACT and in process of hiring a second PT ACT. One Fulltime Office Clerk and 1 parttime office clerk, Two Animal Control Officers (we’ve only had one the past few months but will be back to 2 when Officer Walch returns from maternity leave next week) and a director. We supplement some of our staffing needs through volunteers, the Michigan Works Program as well as Community Service.
BWHL: What are the hours that the shelter is open to the public?
Miller: Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for licensing and 10:30-3:30 for adoptions (last appointment starts at 3). Cat and kitten adoptions can be walk-in, we prefer dog appointments to be scheduled when possible.
BWHL: How often do you post the pets available for adoption?
Miller: We post adoptables on Facebook on Wednesdays and Sundays, and you can view available pets on Petfinder.
1 comment
Take the money (thousand of dollars) sheriff Matt king uses from the drug task force funds to print thinly veiled re election mailers he calls community outreach flyers and give it to the animal shelter. They are asking to increase taxes to add more money to the slush money “drug task force” fund.