Meeting held to discuss proposed animal shelter

Weiser residents hosted a meeting on Aug. 3 to discuss a potential city or county animal shelter.

 About 65 people gathered at the train depot to share ideas and thoughts on how to move forward with the proposed project.

 “We weren’t sure how much support we would have for this, but looking at all of you here today, I guess that answers our question,” said Cheri Gordon, addressing the large group.

 The effort follows the closure of separate kennel and cat rescue operations that were shut down because they are not allowed within city limits under current city code.

 Gordon, who ran “Felines Needing Purrfect Homes” and Charlie Prentiss, who ran “Canines and Special Pet Rehoming,” organized Wednesday’s meeting. 

 The women are pushing forward with a proposed animal shelter so they can continue providing what many describe as a critical service to the community.

 “Our phones ring constantly – 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Prentiss said.

 In attendance were Washington County Sheriff Matt Thomas, city council members Sterling Blackwell and Layna Hafer, various business owners, and other members of the community.

 “We are going to need lots of help finding a building and, of course, help from the city or county with zoning, ordinances, and making sure everything fits, so that when we do this, we have a permanent solution and not have any problems,” Gordon said.

 Gordon and Prentiss said they anticipate a cost of between $500,000 and $800,000 to get an appropriate animal shelter in place, one capable of supporting anywhere from 30 to 60 animals at one time.

 There will also be recurring expenses such as utilities, taxes, and building maintenance, as well as veterinary and other routine costs for proper animal care.

 “We are going to need a local or area vet,” said Gordon, adding that volunteers will be crucial in the daily operation of the proposed facility.

 The facility would provide adoption and spay/neuter services, microchipping, and a TNR (trap, neuter, release) program centered around feral cats that help keep rodent populations in check.

 Potential funding sources could be grants, donations, investors, and fundraisers. Daily revenue would come from a proposed doggy day care, adoption fees, animal sponsors, online donations, and microchip clinics.

 “A doggy day care would depend on how much room we have, but that would be a way for people – because we don’t have a dog park – to bring their dogs and have them socialize and be in groups, but it would also be income for the shelter to help offset expenses,” Prentiss said.

 Ideally, any future facility would come with enough land to allow room for the animals to socialize outdoors.

 “Most of what I’ve been looking at is around $300,000 for land,” Prentiss said. “The reason I’m going so big is because I want a dog park with stuff – agility equipment and … just stuff. I want it big enough to where people could go use a Chuckit [to throw balls] and dogs have room to run.”

 Blackwell said the proposed shelter would need to be located in a commercially zoned area, but it is unclear whether there are any properties within the city that would fit Gordon and Prentiss’ needs.

 Sheriff Thomas said such a facility would be allowed in the county’s industrial zone, which is located south of Weiser on Highway 95, where Champion Homes and other businesses are located.

 Layna Hafer suggested visiting with other shelters to learn what it will take to get a facility going in Weiser. She added that grants may be available to help with the project.

 “I am with you all; my heart breaks,” she said. “I have to quit looking sometimes at the adoptions because it keeps me up at night, so I am here with you, whatever I can do.”

 Attendees were given the opportunity to commit their time and talent to the project. For now, Gordon and Prentiss will be focusing on developing a plan, which they eventually intend to present to the city’s planning and zoning commission for approval. 

 In other news, Felines Needing Purrfect Homes is holding a cat adoption on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the building next door to Martha’s Dog and Cat Wellness at 1240 State St. in Weiser.

 For more information, or if you would like to help support the project in any way, contact Cheri Gordon at (208) 741-1739, or Charlie Prentiss at (541) 216-3036.