NCB donates to county dog pound

The Highland County Dog Pound used to just house stray dogs and kill them if they were not claimed by using a gas chamber, which was a cruel way to euthanize an animal.  

Three and one-half years ago, a group of caring people organized and proposed to the county that they be allowed to take care of the dogs and try to find homes for the animals.

While there are occasional problem animals, the vast majority of the dogs make wonderful pets. Some are pure bred and no longer wanted or able to be cared for by their owner; most are mixed breeds and are very grateful for any attention they receive.  

The volunteer group provides vaccinations, worm medicine, emergency vet treatments, gas assistance for transporting dogs to rescue groups, leashes and collars to walk and send to rescue, and food for dogs taken into a volunteer's home. As a last resort, they pay for vets to come and humanely euthanize the dogs by using two injections, only when absolutely out of space.

An amazing group of dedicated volunteers now clean the cages, bathe and walk the dogs, arrange for rescue or foster homes, staff the facility when open for adoption and drive the dogs to rescue. There is a huge web of rescue groups around the country.  Some for specific breeds and others in parts of the country that have strict spay/neuter laws and do not have an excess of dogs.  

The dogs are photographed and published on the web for other rescue groups to view and agree to accept. Transports are then arranged through a group of volunteers that each drive a leg of the trip.

A local business donated a van to the group which has been fitted with cages. They have four drivers insured on this van and another four volunteers who transport in their own vehicles. There are 12-plus volunteers who help out.
 
During January through August of 2012, 409 dogs/puppies were turned in to the pound.

Of that number, 74 were adopted, 36 were claimed by owners and 265 were rescued.

This represents a 92-percent saved rate.