Animal shelter hosts volunteer meeting, kicks off donation drive
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Interested individuals attend the first meeting to learn more about the Coosa County Animal Shelter and how they may be able to volunteer and help. Photo by Lydia Waters
Photo 2: Dennis Hill, animal shelter chair and operations manager, and Dr. Chad Baxley, director of health, address the crowd. Photo by Lydia Waters
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Coosa County Animal Shelter held its first volunteer organization meeting Tuesday evening with approximately 20 people in attendance.
Attendees were able to learn more about the shelter, get updates on where it currently stands and how they may be able to volunteer and help. The shelter also officially kicked off its donation drive.
Dennis Hill, chair of the animal shelter and operations manager, led the meeting. He was joined by Dr. Chad Baxley, director of health on the shelter’s board of directors.
Others working with the shelter in membership positions include Lisa Fuller, vice chair of the board, and three current staff members. Those are Communication Coordinator Debbie Hill, Fundraising Coordinator Pam Hanna and Volunteer Coordinator Joy Morris.
Chair Hill explained the Coosa County Animal Shelter’s designed capacity, stating that it will be a no-kill shelter designed to hold 16 dogs, two cages of cats and a puppy room. He said that the emphasis will be on quick turnaround by way of adoption, rescue and a foster network, similar to how Clay County’s shelter operates.
Hill explained that they are a 501(c)3 nonprofit volunteer organization with application recognized by the IRS, meaning that all donations are tax deductible. He said that all funding will be by donations; including private, business and governmental; and by grants.
He reported that the startup fund drive has just begun with a target of $70,000 to cover the shelter’s startup costs and approximately two years of operational costs. While they do have local support in place from national- and state-based organizations, he explained that all operations of the shelter will be completely by volunteers.
Providing updates to attendees, Hill stated that they have an “excellent building” in Stewartville to house the shelter, all licenses in hand or applied for, a Facebook page and phone number, a checking account at First Bank, and a Venmo account established for electronic deposits.
While many are excited at the prospect of Coosa County finally having a much-needed animal shelter, Hill said that they need enough money to “go” and that they need monetary donations or the shelter will not come to fruition.
The fundraising blitz is ongoing, and Hill said that once the fundraising goal of $70,000 is reached they will begin working on the building site. He hopes the shelter will be open for business by this fall.
He added that the end date for this initial donation drive for the startup fund will be the end of July, but fundraising must continue beyond that to keep the shelter in operation. Individuals can donate via Venmo through the shelter’s Facebook page, by checks payable to the Coosa County Animal Shelter, or by depositing checks directly at First Bank in Rockford and Goodwater.
Hill reported that the fundraising plans completed so far included Dr. Baxley being on the Jimmy Dale Abrams Show on April 12, the shelter’s Facebook page announcing the donation drive and Venmo account being established, “The Coosa County News” announcing the donation drive in its April 15 edition, Hill being on the Kenny Dean Show on April 19 with Angel Cooper, and the volunteer meeting being held Tuesday evening to get the word out and gather ideas.
Other fundraising plans he mentioned were applying for a TCC grant with Verizon with Alicia Shone on April 28, handing out fliers at Weogufka’s Mule Day on April 30, Angel Cooper hosting “Hippie Haven” at Triple R Cafe on April 30, a donation plea in “The Coosa County News” April 29 edition, and working with Chad Odom, executive director of the Lake Martin Area Economic Development Alliance, to help solicit corporate help. The latter is to be ongoing, with literature being sent to Odom April 28.
Additionally, Hill said he also plans to attend town council meetings and address the councils of Goodwater on May 10, Rockford on May 17 and Kellyton on June 7.
Other ideas include getting help from Central High School with Debi Stover, offering kennel sponsorships, following up with the County Commission, and having donations jars at various sites throughout the county. “The Coosa County News” is one confirmed location that will have a donation jar available, with other sites pending confirmation.
In discussing ideas, the group also mentioned possibly holding raffles and attending Neighborhood Watch meetings to help get out the word about the shelter. Other ideas included holding local rabies clinics and possibly offering annual memberships.
Also during discussion it was mentioned that spay and neuter will be a big part of the shelter’s program. It was also stated that once the shelter is operational every dog will get a 7-in-1 shot, and puppies may receive shots depending on the length of their stay.
Dr. Baxley mentioned that over the last 20 years there have been numerous talks about a shelter for Coosa County and said that progress is finally being made thanks to Hill’s initiative.
The possibility of having an animal control officer in the county if the shelter is up and running was also mentioned during the meeting.
In a fundraising effort, Angel Cooper is hosting “Hippie Haven” at Triple R Cafe in Rockford at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, April 30. Attendees are asked to make a donation to the Coosa County Animal Shelter while enjoying a fun family event and great meals.
For more information on the Hippie Haven event or to RSVP, contact Cooper at 256-267-5377.
The Coosa County Animal Shelter will be located at 5520 County Road 41, Sylacauga, 35151. Donations can be made via check made payable to the animal shelter and sent to that address.
For more information on the animal shelter or to donate, call 256-391-7192, email coosacountyanimalshelter41@gmail.com, or visit the shelter’s Facebook page found at Coosa County Animal Shelter.
