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Applause and the whining of a restless Great Pyrenees-mix puppy named Nelson accentuated Thursday’s announcement of national recognition earned by Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control.
The shelter’s modern and progressive approach to animal control and education was praised by Anne Sterling, the state director for the Humane Society of the United States.
The city’s shelter is among those featured in an article that appears in the current issue of Animal Sheltering, a magazine published by the Humane Society of the United States. The article highlights Fort Wayne’s successful efforts in recruiting volunteers as well as its fundraising to supplement government funding.
Sterling said the city animal facility is among the most well-managed in the country and that the shelter’s director, Belinda Lewis, has delivered a “consistent, professional message” through her efforts on national boards as well as with the recent testimony she gave to state legislators before the passage of state legislation regulating commercial dog breeders.
When Sterling fields calls from representatives of struggling shelters, she says she often refers them to Lewis.
“She’s a wealth of knowledge,” Sterling said.
Sterling also said the Fort Wayne shelter serves as an “excellent example” of balancing humane treatment of animals and community service.
Animals at the city’s shelter have beds, toys, blankets and the opportunity to go on walks with volunteers – extra benefits Sterling said not all animals at shelters get to enjoy.
Lewis credited the “strong” and “dedicated” employees at the city’s shelter for its success, as well as it volunteers and donors.
“We couldn’t do half of what we do without our volunteers,” Lewis said.
The shelter currently has a balance of about $450,000 from its fundraising efforts, Lewis said. That money allows the shelter to buy medical supplies, pay for its volunteer and adoption programs, provide spay/neuter assistance and finance the shelter’s education efforts.
Education is the key to most of the issues the shelter deals with, whether it’s helping a person choose an appropriate pet to adopt or helping pet owners learn how to better care for their animals, Lewis said.
“Every contact we make at every level is education,” she said.
