By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Tucker County Animal Shelter Director Bailey Falls updated the Tucker County Commission on the progress of the shelter at the Commission’s July 12th regular session.
“This month, we’ve been busy,” Falls said. “We’ve had more coming in then going out, but that kind of is par for the course this time of year with people going on vacations, but we’ve had a lot of fosters step up and able to help out so that’s been very good.”
Falls updated the Commission on the status of the county’s voucher program. “We’re at 168 vouchers issued so far to Tucker County residents,” Falls said. “People have really been appreciative of that. Its made a big difference. We’re glad to be able to help folks with that.”
Falls said the shelter is in need of volunteers to help walk dogs, especially in the mornings. “We’ve got a lot of big, energetic dogs that need the energy outlet to stay sane in the shelter.”
The AED has been installed at the shelter, according to Falls. “Joe and Benny came in and installed our AED, which I believe it was from Mandy. It was Mandy Simmons who got the AED. So that’s awesome. We’re excited to have that. Joe and Benny got that installed, I think it was on Monday.”
“And that goes right back to working together,” Tucker County Commissioner Mike Rosenau said. “You know Mandy is not a county employee, but she knows the need. She went after the AED.”
“She had told me that she had ordered that,” Falls said. “So we are really thankful for that, especially being tucked up there with volunteers who are older and its definitely a reassurance. We’re glad to have that.”
Falls said that there was work done to assist with temperature and moisture regulation in areas that did not currently have air conditioning. “Joe and Benny also helped out with moisture and temperature regulated in our buildings that don’t have central air and they’ve helped out a lot with that. They’ve gotten some things kind of worked out with some of the rooms that weren’t used in previous years that are now in use. So, making sure that they stay dry and cool enough that equipment and animals are safe and staff are safe as well.”
Falls also informed the Commission of a donation from Kingsford Charcoal. “Kingsford Charcoal made the generous donation of five pallets – that’s over seven, almost 7500 pounds of cat litter…We’re really grateful for that. It was in memory of Connor Nestor. So, we’re thankful for Kingsford and the Nestor Family for remembering Connor like that.”
Falls also thanked the Assessor’s Office for their donation of a Jeep to the shelter. “We are also very thankful to the Assessor’s Office for passing on their Jeep to us. That has been very helpful to have two SUVs that are reliable to be able to transport animals, especially if we have to go in different places at different times.”
According to Falls, her department has taken off the Assessor’s decals from the vehicle and will soon be placing “Animal Shelter” under the existing Tucker County lettering.
The Friends of the Tucker County Animal Shelter, a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Fundraising Board is accepting new members. Contact the Animal Shelter for more information on how to help.
The next meeting of the Tucker County Commission will be held July 26th at 6 p.m. at the Tucker County Courthouse Old Courtroom in Parsons. The Tucker County Animal Shelter Advisory Board will meet July 169th at 12 p.m. at the Animal Shelter, 586 Brooklyn Heights, Parsons.
