It took us forever to find the place. We made five wrong turns and had to backtrack a few times. How could it be this hard to find an animal shelter? Were they trying to stay hidden so that no sick, malnourished, poor, pitiful, little dog or cat may wander up to the facility and make themselves at home, whatever the reason I was getting frustrated. I was driving behind my mom in my little Nissan Maxima. As I was trying to keep up with her, my white sedan was getting covered in dust by her spinning wheels as they were swinging her tan vehicle around. By the time we pulled off the road into the gravel “driveway” that was the SCHS’ parking lot my mom and I were both relieved and anxious for our meeting to start since we were already late by 30 minutes.
When my mom told me about a meeting she was attending here at the newly constructed Humane Society, I immediately invited myself. She was invited to this meeting to give her ideas on how to improve the financial and physical aspects to the organization. I was hoping to get more involved to help out the animals like my mom does but instead of taking more dogs into our home and adding to the high headcount of 8, I could help animals find a home of their own. I began forming an idea of what the meeting would be like and what would be discussed. I imagined a building very similar to the vet’s office where I used to work. I envisioned an office with a window for new residents to check in and paperwork getting filled out. I also thought there would be a few waiting rooms much like a doctor’s office. I pictured there to be kennels filled with yapping dogs pleading for someone to initiate them into their families. I figured we would be discussing some volunteering opportunities or brainstorm some fundraising ideas.
I was instantly thrown off by the appearance of the building and the large plot of land it sat on. My mom made an “hmm” noise as we walked up towards the entrance. I imagine she was not impressed by what she saw or did not see rather. It didn't have any fencing or boundaries so I had no idea where the property ended. There were tall green and yellow weeds sporadically located throughout the yard. I asked her how long since the building was finished being constructed and she responded “apparently not long enough if they don’t have a fence up.” When I read Todd Martin’s article Humane Society hoping to open new clinic in spring; will give society chance to help many more animals I see that this is still an ongoing project and there are several phases that have not even began being constructed. “The building is phase one of the humane society’s greater vision for the land. Phase two would incorporate a larger adoption center on the grounds and also add an animal sanctuary, and phase three would put a small barn on the property for horse rescue.” When I look into the long yard I notice where the barn would be placed for the equine rescues. I point this out to my mom and she simply shakes her head as we get near the porch. It looked like we were entering someone’s home. It was small on the outside which made it hard for me to visualize where all the animals would be kept. I noticed there wasn't much landscaping near the front of the building. There was a glass front door that looked much like one you would find on a normal house. The glass door allowed you to see directly in at the 3 dogs inside barking excitedly as new guests approached them. The closer we got the more excited they became.
When we got inside we gave our introductions, even the dogs introduced themselves by hopping up on two legs as if to hug my mom and I. there was a lean German Sheppard named Fluffy who was getting publicly harassed by Shep, the tiny white stringy-haired terrier mix and then there was Katie, a black Lab. She was extremely friendly and her fur was so soft to the touch that I was a little surprised when I first patted her. I could easily tell she was well groomed from reflection of the overhead lights shining off her dark coat that it looked white at first. We all received a tour of the building and, again, not what I was expecting.
The waiting room was very small filled with only 5 fold out chairs that resembled the ones movie directors lounge in. There were 2 exam rooms, 1 for dogs and 1 for cats no matter how many came in at once, there were separate cages in the cat room and a kennel in the dog room. There was a spacious sparkling clean operating room with one table for the spays, neuters, dental work and any other surgeries to be performed. Todd Martin’s article also explained how this facility will fit the needs to perform the surgical procedures efficiently. “Zekausky said Dr. Teresa Gregory would continue to perform spay/neuter operations for the humane society, and she hopes to have two more doctors by the time the clinic opens. She said she has already been in touch with one doctor, and has another she’d like to bring on board as well. ‘Dr. Gregory has been able to do about 2,000 animals a year working just one day a week,’ she said. ‘So if we can keep those numbers we’re going over three days a week, we’re really going to be able to help a lot more animals.’” A custom design for this corporation is going to help get them back on track and be able to accommodate more to the company’s needs. Outside of the OR were many shelves which housed gleaming silver tools which were used in the surgeries. There was also an office where the paperwork was being processed and where this meeting was going to take place. I realized that I haven’t seen any animals but the 3 dogs of the welcoming party so I asked where the animals were. There was a basement where the cats were kept and they told me there were some kennels outside for the dogs.
I walk down the unfinished steps that lead me into the basement and I can smell the sawdust from the small piles I am hiding under my feet as I descend down the stairs. It was a walkout basement so there was plenty of natural sunlight with the help of the large glass doors. When I get to the bottom of the steps, I see a bunch of cat kennels, maybe 12 or more each with 2 cats in them. These weren’t kittens they were all full grown cats. As soon as I showed my face, a symphony of “meow’s” and “purrs” flooded my ears. I could hear maybe 20 different noises all at once each coming from a different cat. There were so many cats down there in those cages I couldn’t believe it. There was no organization to the setup of the crates. They were all just placed around the room anywhere they would fit. There was enough space to walk between each cage. As I weaved my way through half of the crates I came to a fenced in room which would have been ideal for some dogs but there were more cats in that section. These cats in this area were free to roam around anywhere within the borders. I noticed that some cats were coming down from the woodwork in the ceiling which wasn’t finished either. They were all racing towards me rubbing up against the enclosure some reaching out to me. I felt like all they wanted was some attention, and so I gave it to them. I pet the ones within reach and tried playing the best I could. I started to smell the dry litter boxes with the perfumed gravel in them. There was a faint scent of urine and feces, perhaps from a combination of the 20 or more litter boxes that were placed down here.
I walk towards the door and notice that outside there are 3 dogs each in its own kennel. I instantly was thrown off by this because each animal was panting quickly. I couldn’t believe they would leave these pets outside in the heat. Did they need water? I looked and saw some silver bowls I am not sure what was in them but I couldn’t imagine the members of the humane society leaving these animals out in the heat all day without water. That wouldn’t be humane at all and would defeat the purpose of this “society” of people. I watch the dogs stand in the heat and look at me with their sad eyes. I can only imagine their thoughts and hopes of cooling off for maybe 5 minutes. I sit and think about this for a few minutes and I become overwhelmed with a feeling of concern. I was so thrown off by the appearance of this place which was not at all like I had imagined.
I join in the meeting and hear that they are discussing ways to improve this facility. I interrupt to ask who tends to the animals to find out that Barbara has to do almost all of the work due to lack of volunteers. Martin confirms this when he wrote “With a new clinic and animal sanctuary in the works, officials at the Shelby County Humane Society determined they could not devote the time needed to continue running the No Kill Mission. Although the society still supports the mission, the time and number of volunteers just weren’t going to be available to continue to support both.” The wheels begin turning in my head and I feel like I can contribute to this meeting with new fresh ideas to help the animals.
When the meeting is over I get in my car and start it up. The gravel is crunching together beneath my tires and it’s like I’m rocking back and forth on a wave out of the uneven driveway. I notice the sad excuse for a sign which is nothing like a beacon leading you here. It’s small, homemade and cluttered. On it reads “Mary Gaylord McClean Animal Clinic SCHS.” The drive home is smooth and found easily. I thought of everything I had seen, heard, smelled and touched at the SCHS. I am still in a state of shock at the entire experience. My feelings of concern resurface in the drive home and I start brainstorming again.
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