By: Jordan Walda

The Blackford County Animal Shelter wants to invite you and your family to see their new facility from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, December 7. A bigger, more efficient facility has been in the hearts of staff and the community for years, and after raising funds for two years, planning, and a lot of hard work by staff and volunteers, this is a dream come true for the animals of Blackford County waiting on their forever homes.

The shelter is located at 2520 N. 200 E. in Hartford City. This is the same lot it has been on, but you’ll notice a new grey building. This building is more cost effective for the shelter, and offers more space for animals, storage, and a space for employees and volunteers to store their items while they are helping with the animals. The dogs have been able to utilize kennels that have access to outdoor kennels as well, keeping them comfortable in warm and cooler weather. 

There are several “free-roaming” rooms that the cats enjoy to the fullest. The new building gives the cats reprieve from the barking of their canine neighbors, and they have no shortage of toys and comfort in these rooms. The Blackford County Rotary Club donated time and resources when the building first went up to install shelving for the cats to enjoy, and you can now see feline friends perched at most of the windows, waiting to greet you when you approach the shelter. 

There will be refreshments, door prizes, Mr. and Mrs. Clause, and of course and opportunity to visit with the wonderful animals, and maybe find a new family member! Shelter staff also recommend and encourage snapping a photo with some of the sweet pets available that afternoon, in hopes that someone will see and come to adopt these animals. There will also be a donation box available at this event to raise funds for the shelter.

Looking forward to 2020, Pam Bonham, who is on the Shelter’s board of directors, says that the shelter is in desperate need of both donations and volunteers. Animals housed at the shelter are at an all time high with 150 cats or kittens, and nearly 40 dogs or puppies in the shelter at this time. The shelter is thankful to receive donations of food from Walmart and forwards these donations on to the community where they can to pay it forward. The facility accepts cash or check donations, and every cent is fully appreciated and utilized. It’s also possible to donate supplies directly through the shelter’s website, such as the Kuranda bed that volunteer Cara Bennett can be seen assembling.  

Pam emphasized that Blackford County Animal Shelter has not had to euthanize animals in over 5 years, and they would like this to continue. Generous contributions from the county are what enables them to continue this practice despite the rise in animals at the shelter due to stray cats and dogs not being neutered or spayed. Pam says with the 4,000 likes on Facebook that the shelter page has, if one thousand of those people could donate just five dollars a month, it would add up quickly and help the shelter immeasurably. 

Pam states that they can always use more volunteers. Blackford County local Richard Weaver comes nearly every evening to walk as many dogs as he can. The dogs have taken notice of Richard’s evening ritual, and even get excited if they are outside when he arrives at the shelter. Despite the dedication of Richard, he cannot do it on his own. 

If you are able to volunteer time or donate to the shelter, there are many ways to do this. You can start by liking Blackford County Animal Shelter Facebook page. The shelter also has a website at www.blackfordcountyanimalshelter.com. The site has access to see all the eligible pets to adopt, and information about how to donate. Don’t forget to head to the open house this weekend to get a tour of the facility and see what Blackford County Animal Shelter has to offer and how you can be a part of their bright future.