Animal shelter reopens, thanks foster owners
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/News/66655/
When Farmington resident Rita Stiles encountered her soon-to-be foster dog Ginger, it was anything but love at first site.
“ Somehow this emaciated, old, stray dog ended up at my house one day with no identification, ” she said. “ I coaxed her into my back yard and gave her some food and water. I found out that she was the sweetest, most wonderful dog I’d ever met. ”
A week later, Stiles took the dog to the Fayetteville Animal Shelter in hopes of finding the pooch a good home. At the time, the shelter was undergoing renovation and didn’t have room to house new pets.
“ I said, ‘ Whatever you do, don’t euthanize that dog, ’” she said. “ But the people at the shelter said she probably wouldn’t get adopted because she was too old. ”
Stiles refused to believe the statistics. Instead, she opened her heart and her home, serving as a foster parent for the next three months. While nurturing the neglected dog back to health, she worked to secure a permanent home.
Two days after posting Ginger’s picture on Petfinder. com, Stiles received an unexpected response.
“ I found some people who were willing to care for her and provide a loving home where she could live out her remaining days, ” she said.
Though parting with her newfound friend was more difficult than she expected, Stiles knew she didn’t have room for a dog. Fortunately, she found comfort knowing that Ginger would be cared for by people who loved her. Her new owners continue to stay in touch with Stiles, providing updates on her continued progress.
“ She’s already gained back 20 pounds since I found her, ” she said. “ Her owners send me pictures all the time. She looks beautiful. ”
Stiles was one of numerous foster parents honored during the Fayetteville Animal Shelter’s grand reopening celebration Saturday. Her story was just one of multiple heart-wrenching accounts that resulted from the facility’s renovation, which started in October of last year. The improvements were part of a $ 100, 000 capitol improvement project paid for by the city’s general fund.
“ We couldn’t have done it without our foster homes, ” said Fayetteville Animal Shelter Superintendent Jill Hatfield. “ A lot of people in the community stepped up who had never fostered before. ”
Like Stiles, Hatfield said, many foster parents grew attached to their homeless friends almost immediately.
“ The one thing we try to tell them is that they will bond, ” she said. “ About half of those foster homes during the renovation turned into adoptions. It’s hard to be a foster home and trust someone else to take care of this animal that’s become another member of your family. I think it was a good experience for everyone. Many have since re-volunteered, which is what we had hoped for. ”
As a token of appreciation, foster parents who assisted during the shelter’s renovation received a T-shirt and goodie bag during Saturday’s grand reopening celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event was open to the community and featured cake for both humans and dogs, as well as free hot dogs and T-shirts and $ 10 microchipping.
“ Fayetteville has a good shelter for our homeless friends, and I’m proud that we’ve been able to improve it, ” said Ward 1 Alderman Brenda Thiel. “ I wish we could do more. The day will come when this facility will need more room. We all need to keep our eyes on the future. I know the community supports and appreciates everything the shelter does. ”
A new air filtration system, updated lighting, additional cabinetry, a new ceiling and a fresh coat of paint, were among the improvements made to the shelter.
“ Our building had been deteriorating, ” Hatfield said. “ Just because of the water and steam and chemicals we use to clean with. A lot of it was taking out the ceiling and the things above it. The cleanup was probably the most expensive part. ”
Shelter renovations were conducted in three phases to enable the facility to continue its operations. The area that houses cats and puppies was completed first, followed by the dog room. During the last stretch of the project, the lobby area and offices were updated. “ Our staff was displaced and we were officing out of construction trailer that ended up flooding, ” Hatfield said. “ But we made it through though and we’re all stronger for it. ” Hatfield said the overall goal of the project was to create a more welcoming environment, along with added structural stability.
“ A fresh coat of paint can do wonders, ” she said. “ We’re really trying to make the animals comfortable and happy while they’re here, and hopefully the community will feel more welcome and want to adopt as well — that’s what it’s all about. We want to welcome the community to come by and see the improvements. While they’re here, we encourage people to take a look at some of the wonderful animals we have to offer. ”
For more information about pet adoption, volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, contact the animal shelter at 444-3456 or visit its Web site, www. uark. edu / ALADDIN / fayanim.