Close Call Points Out Potential Solution

As Paul Bellefeuille went to hang up the last leash at the end of a recent Sunday at the Animal Shelter of Wood River Valley, he opened the door to the upper dog kennel only to be overpowered by noxious blue smoke that had thickly enveloped the kennel area.  Quick to action shelter facilities manager, Kelly Noble, called the fire department while Bellefeuille blindly began evacuating dogs out a back door and into yards behind the facility. On a typical Sunday, the animals are left alone from 4 P.M. until 8 A.M. Monday morning.  Only through sheer luck were Bellefeuille and Noble working late on this particular day and therefore able to prevent a potentially life-threatening situation from unfolding further.  Upon their arrival, Wood River Fire and Rescue were able to determine that a heating unit had malfunctioned, burning out an element which caused melting plastic to emit the horrendous and toxic smoke. With that diagnosis, Charlie’s Heating and Refrigeration was called out to assess the problem. Throughout this ordeal, a variety of board members and staffers arrived onto the scene prepared to evacuate the entire 100 plus animal population if necessary. Once the building was again suitable for habitation, the dogs returned to their runs and settled down for a chilly night, as the windows needed to remain open to facilitate ventilation and the evening would be spent without a fully functioning heater. Although the animals were wearing fur coats, each was tucked in with extra blankets and left for the night. Kudos goes to each canine for remaining well mannered and cooperative under difficult circumstances.  But this alarming incident highlights the importance of one of the shelter’s major goals: the creation of an on-site caretaker position and attendant housing. 

With the installation of a modest mobile home behind the main building at the shelter, an animal shelter employee would be able to remain on the premises at all times.  The on-site caretaker would be able to walk through the facility several times each night to monitor both the animals and the buildings, significantly lowering the number of hours a problem might go undetected.  The caretaker would also be able to administer medications to animals under veterinary care and comfort those recovering from surgery.  During thunderstorms, fireworks, or other moments stressful to shelter residents, the caretaker would be able to offer reassurance and even serve as deejay utilizing a recently acquired stereo to play soothing tunes.

To make on-site housing a reality, the Animal Shelter of Wood River Valley needs community support.  Ideally, the donation of a mobile home would help the shelter meet this housing goal swiftly.  However, preliminary research has suggested that the shelter can purchase a used unit for $15,000.  Of course, it is only through the generosity of the people of Wood River Valley that this urgent project can gain full funding.  Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution of any size to the shelter’s Caretaker & Housing Fund.  To do this, you may make your check payable to ASWRV, indicate the Caretaker & Housing Fund on the face of the check, and mail it to the Animal Shelter of Wood River Valley, P.O. Box 1496, Hailey, ID 83333.  If you care to donate via credit card or cash or hope to contribute to the shelter in other ways, please call the shelter at 788.4351. Donated funds may be used to purchase the housing equipment or to assist with hook-up costs once the mobile home is on shelter property. 

If you have any questions about this ambitious plan, please call a shelter staffer at 788-4351.  Let’s work together to extend even greater care to our valley’s needy dogs and cats.