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HSOV improving alternatives to pet surrender

The look in their eyes is the same, though their circumstances vary. They love their pet — just like you and I love our pets. But they are giving them up. Maybe the person lost their home, maybe their home isn’t safe, and they want their pet to be free from harm.

Some have made a mistake; their family and friends are tired of helping out and they are facing a short stint in rehab or jail. Maybe they just need someone to care for a pet so they can care for themselves with a medical procedure they have delayed. A few are literally fleeing to save their life.

It is heartbreaking to watch a beloved pet and owner be separated. The human/animal bond is strong and both parties suffer. The staff and volunteers at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley try to help, but sometimes space and money makes it impossible. We cry with the people and animals who cry for each other.

On the other hand, reuniting pets and owners is our second favorite thing — followed only by happy adoptions.

In addition to the individual pet owners coming to the shelter seeking help or reluctantly surrendering a beloved pet, local leaders like Deanna Green, director of the Washington County Adult Protective Services, and Jarrett Stull, executive director of the Memorial Health Foundation, sometimes call us on behalf of a pet owner needing help. They put their pets’ needs and comfort before their own.

A shelter volunteer, Amber Dennison, learned of a program called “Don’t Forget the Pets — DFTP” and decided to learn more about it. Greater Good is a National Non-Profit Public Charity that helps organizations like the HSOV help local animals.

They offered a training webinar and coaching program, and Dennison completed the training on Oct. 28, 2021. In September 2022, after applying for funding for the program from Rescue Rebuild and meeting with the DFTP founding members and team, Dennison introduced the idea to the HSOV board of directors.

The board agreed it was a great idea to help the people in need in the community.

She said our community has given so much to help us save lives. We have been a “no kill” shelter for 10 years thanks to hard working staff and volunteers, and our supportive community.

Each adoption, foster, donation of funds or supplies, has helped us succeed.

We want to partner with our community to help pets stay with loving owners. We started working with local food banks a few years ago to assist families with pets in need. This community housing seems like a nice next step in community partnering.

Dennison was tasked with finding a local contractor willing and able to meet the precise guidelines made by the Rescue Rebuild team. Luke Strahler, with Ken Strahler Masonry did some research, asked some questions, talked to the team and agreed that Ken Strahler Masonry would take on the project.

Dennison said the contractors did superior work, going above and beyond in completing the project.

She said Luke noticed the dog technician cleaning procedures outside while they worked and suggested concrete instead of gravel in one area Rescue Rebuild had designed. It was agreed that would be better for the dogs, staff, volunteers, the shelter and the public. Things were tidied up and polished in time for HSOV to host Marietta Chamber’s monthly “Business After Hours” on May 11.

It was the perfect time to reveal the “shell” of the project to the local business owners who came to the event. The national Rescue Rebuild construction team is set to come June 10-25 to put their finishing touches on the building.

The HSOV hopes to be up and running by this July.

In addition to Rescue Rebuild funding the “shell” of the building, Walmart Community Grants and Marietta Welfare League provided funding.

During the Chamber’s Business After Hours, Marietta Community Foundation surprised us with a big check that will go a long way toward helping us complete the building and fencing required to keep the pets healthy, happy and safe.

Animal sheltering is evolving nationally. Over the past decade, shelters strive to save lives through reunions, adoptions, spay/neuter, fosters and rescues. It was making a difference. The vet shortage and economic crisis have set things back.

We try to find new ways to overcome old problems. Alternatives to surrendering a pet is one of those ways. We don’t want to be a dumping ground for unwanted pets or take pets away from loving owners. HSOV is striving to be compassionate to pets and their owners. It is a work in progress, but we are going in the right direction.

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