By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
“Dreams do come true,” according to Linda VanDerLeest, president of the Henry County Humane Society Geneseo Shelter.
Those dreams became a reality in part from grant money received from the Miller Foundation, $39,000, and from the Geneseo Foundation, just over $14,000, in addition to charitable donations from the community.
VanDerLeest said the money will provide for six new dog runs, one more than the original five runs which are about five years old…”We want to stay within our means financially and we will do some of the work ourselves on the runs.”
Original plans were to build the new runs using pea gravel but VanDerLeest said, “Ideally, dog runs have turf surfaces,” and with the grant money received, the Geneseo Shelter will have the turf surfaces.
Kim Park, who with Kristen VerStraete, make up the facilities committee at the shelter, said the current dog runs are not “dog-friendly,” as the dogs can dig under the fencing and at times their nuzzles get stuck in the chain link fence due to the large openings.
Park said each of the new runs will be enclosed with vinyl privacy fencing… With the vinyl fencing, the dogs will not be able to see each other in the other runs, and that will create less anxiety which will be safer for the dogs and the staff and volunteers.”
She said with the turf surface, the dogs will be less able to dig under the turf and also will improve disease control because the turf can be sanitized.
Park estimated the Geneseo Shelter, a no-kill shelter, cares for about 10 dogs at a time, not including the two or three that are in foster care and in addition, there is a waiting list.
“We have seen an increase in animals coming to the shelter, which could possibly be because of the financial hardships people are experiencing,” she said, and added, “We have six dogs on our waiting list and we get calls daily.”
It is expensive for the shelter to care for the animals, and Park explained that each animal typically requires spay or neuter, updated vaccinations, and about half of them require some additional care. “In addition, we also have the expense of keeping up the kennels, maintenance and cleaning supplies.”
She said the turf will reduce cleaning expenses because with the turf surfaces the dogs will not be dragging dirt and mud into the kennels.
Demolition to the current runs will be completed by JB Excavating, Geneseo; and the new runs will be built by American Greens, Bettendorf.
Donations, monetary or supplies can be sent to Henry County Humane Society Geneseo at 14606 Roos Hill Rd., Geneseo, IL 61254.
