FPS staff report
August 18, 2009
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Carroll County Animal Protection League officers and Board of Directors are shown above on land the group recently purchased to build an animal shelter.
Front row (from left) Buddy (owned by Jennfer Walsh); Amy Tripp, vice president; Eileen Rohrer, president; Erin Diekmann, board member holding Daisy; and Joyce Ruble, board member.
Standing behind is Bev Newell, manager of Consumer’s National Bank; Martin Studer, architect; Patti Willoughby, secretary; Merle Albrecht, board member and Erica Zeedyk, treasurer. |
An animal shelter in Carroll County is one step closer to realization.
The Carroll County Animal Protection League (CCAPL) purchased 5.393 acres of land in Harrison Twp. along Canton Rd. (SR 43) from Larry and Carole McCully. The ground will be used to build and maintain an animal shelter for domestic animals.
CCAPL was organized Jan. 18, 2007, and Eileen Rohrer, president said, “In two-and-a-half years, we have raised close to $85,000 through numerous fundraisers, individual and public monetary donations and through the ongoing “Pennies for Paws” campaign, where donation cans are set out at various businesses throughout the community.”
The group received a $50,000 restricted endowment gift from the Carroll County Humane Society July 15, 2008. This endowment must be used for construction only and must be used within five years of receipt or it has to be returned in full, plus interest. Rohrer continued, “We are planning on using the endowment money for a sewer system required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and for a water well on the property.”
Milton Studer, an architect from Minerva, has drawn the plans for the 3,328 square feet building, which include dog, cat, puppy and kitten areas, exam and clinic area for treatment of animals, grooming area, office space, storage areas for food and supplies, isolation areas for new arrivals, food preparation, laundry and a euthanasia area. Rohrer noted the group will not euthanize for space but only when necessary and recommended by a licensed veterinarian.
The group was awarded a $1,000 grant from Carroll Electric Cooperative’s “People to People Fund” which was applied to the down payment to purchase the land. Numerous activities and educational programs will be implemented once the shelter is complete. Grant funding for construction and maintaining the shelter will be pursued with diligence once the site plans are approved by the EPA.
“Fundraising efforts not only help us make the loan payment of the land, but put money toward the shelter fund,” Rohrer stated. “Our needs are great to raise the $300,000 to build the shelter. Anyone interested in helping can become a CCAPL member, bequeath to us or give us an endowment gift or donation in honor or memory of a person or pet.”
CCAPL meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Carrollton Friendship Center at the Carroll County Fairgrounds. Annual membership is $15 for adults and $5 for junior members 17 years and younger.
For more information, visit www.ccapl.webs.com, email at carrollcountyapl@yahoo.com or call Patti Willoughby at 330-205-9268 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Anyone wishing to make a donation can sent it to CCAPL, PO Box 353, Carrollton, 44615. |
