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Parvo outbreak hits old Colville dog pound |
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Wednesday, 03 October 2007 |
City still waiting on funds that
would get new pound built
BY DANI BULL
S-E Staff Reporter
Colville’s proposed new dog shelter project continues in a holding pattern.
According to Colville Mayor Dick Nichols, funds that have been targeted to the project are still tied up in court.
“An appeal has been filed in regards to the funds ($160,000) willed to the city of Colville by Marian Steed for the new dog shelter,” explained Mayor Nichols, on the mend this week from emergency appendectomy surgery.
The project depends on the outcome of an appeal filed after the city won the first court case contesting Steed’s will by her son.
“Half the money needed for the project is set aside by the city,” Nichols said. “Blue- prints have been drawn up and approved and the State Environmental Protection Agency has approved the land south of the Colville Water Treatment Plant as the site for the project. But, it will still take some time for the appeal process and then actually receiving the funds.”
The need for the shelter has been brought more to the forefront in recent weeks because of concerns about the state of the current facility on Louis Perras Road.
Audrey Staab, a representative of Colville Pet Rescue voiced that group’s concerns about the state of the inadequate pound facility at a recent Colville city council meeting.
She said that Parvo Virus has been an issue at the pound.
Volunteers from Colville Pet Rescue have researched the correct cleaner needed to kill the Parvo Virus that has infected some dogs rescued from the pound. Members of the rescue also volunteered to clean the tiny compound. According to Jeanie Acorn, president of the Colville Pet Rescue Group, cleaning the facility is a necessity.
“If a dog comes into the pound with the virus, a breakout is highly possible unless the pound is cleaned with the correct product using the correct dilution formula,” Acorn explained.
“The dogs infected were treated by Dr. (Will) Rowe with Creekside Veterinary Clinic in Chewelah. Dr. Rowe has a 50 percent save ratio in dealing with the virus,” added Acorn.
Limited funds hinder work done by Colville Pet Rescue
According to Acorn, the increase in medical fees due to the virus breakout has further stretched the already limited funds Colville Pet Rescue has to work with.
CPR has taken on the mission of finding homes for dogs that would have previously been put down.
“Last year, 211 dogs were rescued,” Acorn said. “This year’s number should be that or more. CPR has been just barely getting by, but things have gotten more difficult lately.”
Wal-Mart has been very generous with donations, Acorn added.
“They donate dog food from sacks that are broken. Unfortunately for the Rescue, the dog food companies are making better bags, cutting down on the dog food available.”
A recent private donation of eight bags of dog food “was really appreciated though,” said Acorn.
“Community involvement is necessary to continue the “No Kill” rescue. At this time, there are about five foster homes each with multiple dogs. Double that and more (foster homes) are needed to keep up with the number of dogs abandoned in the Colville area.”
Acorn said that the Statesman Examiner, KCVL Radio and Mayor Nichols “have always been huge supporters of the Rescue and animal welfare.”
But Acorn hit on the importance of pet owners to to spay and neuter their pets.
“We wouldn’t even be dealing with the over-population problem if that were done,” said Acorn.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 10 October 2007 )
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