New Animal Shelter Takes In 25 Animals on First Day in Business

The first day of operation for the new DeKalb Animal Coalition Shelter Monday proved to be a busy one.
“Today was our first day open officially and we took in 25 animals,” said Megan Moore, Director of the local shelter who addressed the Smithville Mayor and Aldermen during their regular monthly meeting Monday night.
The shelter initially began taking in strays from people who had already been in contact with the coalition needing to re-home those animals.
“Our hours are Monday through Friday from Noon until 4 and Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon. Our adoption fees are $90 for unaltered dogs with a $50 refundable deposit included and $40 for altered dogs. Cats are $30 for unaltered and $20 for altered cats. We do take cats. We are a limited intake shelter but we will intake as long as we have room. We’re not going to euthanize for space or time spent. We have a wait list and when an animal gets adopted we’ll call the next person on the list. Right now we have multiple litters. We have puppies about four days old. Hopefully they will continue to do well with their moms. We also have kittens that are still nursing. If we have any issues with that we’ll need to find foster homes,” said Moore.
More donations and volunteers are also needed. “We accept donations including food, cat litter, blankets, towels, etc. We also ask for monetary donations for the surrender of a pet or a stray. We have a part time guy (James Wilkerson) and he is doing great but we need volunteers to help. Hopefully we’ll get more volunteers there on a daily basis. If you would like to volunteer you can drop by the shelter and pick up an application. Our address is 186 Transfer Station Road,” said Moore.
Customers will soon be able to see what the shelter has to offer through “Pet Finder” and “Adopt a Pet” and a “Pet of the Week” will be featured on Facebook.
As for a grand opening, Moore said that date will be set once the engraved bricks, purchased by supporters of the shelter are laid in the front of the building around the walk way.
City officials said the old shelter on Smith Road will soon be demolished now that the new shelter is open.