Proud pooches pranced happily alongside their owners as 62 hearty souls gathered at the Riverview Restoration Project Saturday for "Paws in the Park," a 5K run and 1K walk to raise money for Carson's first Humane Society shelter.
Veterinarian Stacy Baker, of South Lake Tahoe, felt the cause was so important, she found six friends to come along. She said people simply don't comprehend the problems in local shelters.
"We would have paid the entry fee even if we couldn't attend, the need is so critical here," she said. "There are lots of rescues and pound puppies here and look at how happy they are to be with their masters."
As if on cue Roulette, a black and white Labrador-pointer mix, plodded easily across the finish line with owner Jennifer Roman. She said he was used for a blood donation at a veterinarian hospital, then abandoned by his owners.
"They were going to put him to sleep, but they found him a foster home and eventually we adopted him," Roman said. "This is such a good cause. We also compete in "Trails and Tails" (a similar event at Lake Tahoe), so it's nice to be able to do something here."
Capital City Humane Society President, and event organizer, Isabel R. Young drew a grisly picture of the animals abandoned at the river fewer than half a mile from the park. She said they are they are often eaten by coyotes.
"We want there to be no homeless animals by the year 2005," Young said. "Wouldn't it be great if we came to a point that there were no homeless animals or feral cats."
Efforts to build the shelter began two years ago and this no-kill facility is expected to be up and operating with about 60 kennels by January 2002, according to Young.
Lifetime Builders of Carson City will construct the metal building on seven acres located along Highway 50, just east of Deer Run Road.
In addition to a very active adoption program, the shelter will provide spay and neuter services, boarding, day care, grooming and training, Young said.
The original cost of the project has been scaled down, due in large part to the construction contractors, tilers, dry wallers and painters volunteering their time and money toward completion of the interior of the shelter and Young now estimates costs, very roughly, at about $350,000. She said the group made about $1,000 Saturday, but more money will be needed to cover expenses, including the purchase of operating room equipment and fixtures.
YOU CAN HELP
Donations can be sent to the Capital City Humane Society, P.O. Box 2856, Carson City, NV, 89702