By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – The Tucker County Animal Shelter has moved into its new building, and the kittens, cats and staff could not be happier for the larger facility. The building was given by Tucker County residents Sue Carr and Lee DeMoss.
Tucker County Animal Shelter Director Cathy Parsons said the new building is a blessing.
“When Susie first came up here, she mentioned that we should have a kitten room,” Parsons said. “I told her I would never see that in my day. She told me I just might, and a couple of months later, she came up with a brochure from Roy’s Mobile Homes and asked me if I thought something like that would work.”
Parsons said she must have looked like a deer in the headlights.
“I could not believe it could happen, but it did,” she said. “I could not be more thrilled!”
Parsons said the former space was a 10’ X 51’ for a total of 500 square feet. The new building is 28’ X 56’ for a total of 1,568 square feet – more than three times as large.
Parsons said the additional space affords her the space for quarantine for sick animals.
“We can keep animals separate until they receive their vaccines,” Parsons said. “We will have a kitten room and a senior room for some of the older cats. We will have a room just for moms and their newborn kittens. We also have much-needed storage space in this new building.”
Parsons said the additional space also allows those who are looking for a kitten or cat some space to bond before selecting a forever pet.
“I want to get a few chairs so people can sit down and bond with the animals,” Parsons said.
Sue Carr said this venture started with a mom cat and four kittens.“I have quite a few animals myself,” Carr said.
Parsons said the relationship began when a litter of kittens was dumped at Carr’s farm.
“It was this time of year two years ago and winter was soon to start,” Carr said. “I went to the shelter and couldn’t believe what a small 10×50 trailer looked like with the many cats and kittens in the cages. Those kittens broke my heart. I told Cathy she needed something bigger and a kitten room just so those sweet kittens would be able to run and play as they should.”
Carr said it took four to five months to convince Cathy and Lowell to let Lee and I put something bigger in to replace the small trailer.
“They finally agreed, and everything took off from there,” Carr said. “The building was set in July and now they have a bigger and brighter animal shelter, and a room especially for the kittens, which makes my heart happy.”
Carr said Cathy has done an amazing job at the shelter.
“She deserves something more adequate to work with,” Carr said. “I just wish people would volunteer one day and see the work that goes into running an animal shelter. It’s not just feeding the animals – there is a lot of cleaning every day, washing and freshening litter pans, washing dishes and scrubbing the floors and almost daily running to the vet. If people could see that, maybe they would take more responsibility for their pets. The single most effective way to help the over-population crisis in this county is to have your pets spay and neutered.”
Parsons said she cannot thank Susie Carr and Lee DeMoss enough.
“It is overwhelming to believe it is possible, but here it is,” Parsons said. “I want to thank Joe Long and Benny Kisamore. They helped tremendously. I especially want to thank Commissioner Lowell Moore. He worked right along to make this come about.”
Moore said he wanted to thank Susie Carr and Lee DeMoss.
“They have been a great inspiration to the Tucker County Animal Shelter and staff,” Moore said. “I want to thank Cathy and her staff for the work they do. I am just glad to be a part of it.”
“We were glad to do it,” Carr said.
Currently, there are about 65 cats and 25 kittens for adoption.
“Right now, we are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” Parsons said. “We are getting ready for our big ‘Home for the Holidays’ event. We are trying to find homes for the animals and we will be offering specials and these will be featured on our Facebook page.”
