The DAC (DeKalb Animal Coalition) has joined forces with New Leash on Life, a spay/neuter program out of Lebanon.
Through a grant from The Community Foundation, the spay station will provide 25 spay/neuter surgeries once a quarter to residents with proof of need. Residents on public assistance, unemployment, SSI or social security can have their dog or cat fixed for free on grant days which will be announced well in advance. Anyone else can get a reduced rate at any time.
Only five large dogs (up to 80 pounds) and up to 15 spays (dog or cat) can be booked each scheduled day. All dogs and cats must be at least four months old and weigh at least four pounds.
The DAC Benefit store at 110 West Walnut Street has forms to be filled out, or you can call New Leash on Life directly at 615-281-0664. The spay/neuter date for this quarter is Feb. 23. More information will be provided regarding pick-up time and place to transport the animals to Lebanon at a later date. Many people have been working numerous volunteer hours to implement the construction of a new animal shelter in DeKalb County.
Since 1984 the City of Smithville has operated a rudimentary animal control facility. However, a growing number of people saw the need for more humane operation a safe place for abused, neglected, or abandoned dogs, cats, and other animals to call home. A place where they would receive medical attention, get low-cost or fee spay or neutering, and be fostered or cared for in-house until being placed in a permanent home.
It began in March of 2014. A few residents met with the City and County mayors to enlist their co-operation in forming a citizen/government coalition with the goal of building a new facility which would be operated by the citizen group.
Meetings ensued, discussions began, and a Board of Directors was appointed. Officers and committee chairpersons were elected: President, Marsha Darrah; Vice- President, Jason Murphy; Secretary, Sue Puckett-Jernigan; Treasurer, Jason Ray; Dr. Don Cripps; Renee Ferguson; and David McDowell. Two board positions were recently filled by Mike Foster and Jim Wood. By-laws were passed, tax-exempt status secured, and The DeKalb Coalition for the Humane Treatment of Animals was born.
The first order of business for the newly formed Coalition was to secure land for a building and funding to actually construct that building. The Industrial Board owned four acres next to the transfer station behind Tenneco which they deeded to the City for use as an animal shelter. The City leased the property to the Coalition.
In the meantime, the Coalition board and committed volunteers had been diligently working to raise funds for the construction of a building. The Board approached the DeKalb County Commission and the Smithville City Council to enlist their monetary support in the amount of $75,000 each.
After almost a year of negotiations and binding stipulations, both the City and the County provided the Coalition with the requested funding. Blueprints were drawn, and construction will get underway as soon as the site prep is completed and the weather permits.
The funding from the City and County will be enough to get the 2700 square foot structure under roof, but that is only the beginning.
The DAC is raising funds to finish and furnish the interior, a formidable task, as the interior is almost as costly as the exterior. In the next few issues of this paper, we will give details about some of the DAC’s fund-raising efforts, including the DAC Benefit Store, the canisters, past and upcoming "DAC Presents" programs, and the Buy a Brick campaign.
We will also introduce some of our hard-working volunteers. The DAC (DeKalb Animal Coalition) meets the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the City Hall. Everyone is invited to attend.
