Help Monroe County Dog Pound

I was put in touch with the Monroe County Dog Pound by friends of mine who thought I might be able to rescue one of the dogs there. I had no idea what to expect but drove 2 and 1/2 hours to southeastern Ohio to visit their pound. An unpaved dirt road in the woods led to the pound, where I was completely overwhelmed and shocked by the conditions . This is a county facility that  covers humane seizures and rescues in two counties in southern Ohio - Monroe and Noble with very little assistance from either. Their operating budget is less than 40,000 per year. They now have only 1 full time employee the humane warden Ronda Piatt . I learned that she drives adoptable dogs to a rescue in Canada (20 hours roundtrip) two times a month - they have had a good working relationship- but finding rescues and the responsibilities for the shelter are overwhelming. They do not have any volunteer staff. They do not have a proper facility. The office trailer was donated years ago and is in bad shape.  Ronda is devoted to the dogs but can only do so much. The county does not support any efforts or contribute to necessary repairs.While Ronda and some local efforts have raised $32,000 for a new facility( closer to the road where they might get some potential adopters )- the total cost will be about $150,000.




 
Without help, they don't have a shot of  reaching that goal or making any changes. As a potential adopter and experienced dog person, I was overcome by the deplorable conditions when I walked in, leaking rotted ceilings, no heat, no storage, just a rank concrete building - and yet they are doing the best with what they have. The best here is an unenclosed building, all dogs are exposed to the elements, the bitter cold of winter and sweltering heat of summer.
I did end up rescuing a small dachshund mix- who was part of a hoarding situation and has literally never been touched- she will be a challenge. She was at that pound on the concrete floor, never taken for a walk or touched for a year. Very tough.
 The whole drive home I couldnt stop thinking of the conditions and why in the heck I was contacted to go down there. I just really feel it was a call for help- and I needed to try to rally support and funds. A very bright caring light needs to shine onto this small rural pound to make a very big change.

I am reaching out to ask for your help to make this pound a safe, habitable, comfortable place for the dogs that are rescued and the humans that work there. Their immediate needs include a new roof, heating, bird netting, gates for the interior dog kennels, exterior fencing to allow dogs to be exercised, fencing to build a drop off crate for dogs left after hours. They have no safe means of getting dogs into the current facility so an entry/assessment area for the dogs would be helpful.
They have a critical need for volunteers as well. 
This money raised would immediately be put to use in making the current space more functional and safe while all other funds will go directly into the building account in Monroe County for their new facility.

This small county shelter has one hard working woman dedicated to saving the lives of dogs -she has been doing this work in these facilities for FIFTEEN years, she and the animals she rescues need support.
Please please help me create change in this county pound! Donate with your heart and help me make a difference!


With thanks,
Lara Guest