By STEVEN MURREY
Managing Editor
smurrey@cherryroad.com

Michelle Hiatt, manager of the Elwood Animal Shelter, said the shelter currently houses around 15 dogs and between 60 and 70 cats, including those in foster care. Hiatt, who is approaching her one year anniversary as shelter manager, explained the challenges the shelter faces and what the community can do to help.

“Our biggest challenge is getting animals adopted,” said Hiatt. “A lot of animals come in, and it’s hard to get a lot out.”

Hiatt explained that there’s a process that must be followed before the animals can be adopted, including their vetting, vaccines, being spayed or neutered, and quarantining new cats that come into the shelter to prevent the spread of illnesses.

“I would say the whole process usually takes a month or two,” said Hiatt. She stated they usually plan transports to take groups of animals to the vet at the same time. “Our biggest transport was about 25 cats to go get spayed and neutered.”

The shelter operates with five employees, not including volunteers. Even though there are a lot of animals in the shelter, the team works hard to make sure they receive the care they need. However, Hiatt said the need for volunteers is among the shelter’s greatest at the moment, particularly those willing to foster animals or spend time with the dogs.

“We have fosters,” said Hiatt as she recounted a recent case of two pregnant cats that recently came in. “They both gave birth, adding seven more kittens to our count.”

Hiatt said she would love to see more people get involved with the foster program, saying the process includes a simple application.

In addition to fosters, the shelter needs volunteers to help with basic animal care, specifically walking dogs and spending time with them. Hiatt said there are many benefits to having the dogs go out with volunteers, and cited a recent “Dog Day Out” that served as the catalyst to get a dog named Toothless adopted.

Hiatt explained that when dogs get to go on “play dates,” the volunteers can offer feedback that can help shelter employees get the animal adopted.

“I can ask people what they’re looking for and then say, ‘Oh, they’re good with cats, or good with kids.’ Volunteers give me that feedback, which in return helps to let the public know about the dog they’re interested in.”

After seeing how well Toothless did on her recent outing, an individual who had considered adopting the animal came into the shelter to finalize the process.

Hiatt said as always, fundraising and donations help tremendously with the shelter’s operation costs. While funding isn’t as big of a challenge as it has been in the past, there is still a continuous need for basic supplies such as cat and dog food and cat litter.

Recently, the shelter raised several thousand dollars thanks to a fundraiser by the animal activist streaming organization Jordan’s Way.

“With Heart of Hoosierland paying the medical costs of the animals at the shelter, I think the public needs to be aware that we’re two different entities. We all work together, but I don’t want the public to donate to the shelter thinking we’re covering medical costs when that’s being done by Heart of Hoosierland,” Hiatt said. “People can donate to the shelter, which provides food, flea meds, and things to keep up with the animals.”

Hiatt said that upper respiratory infections are common in cats and kittens. Hiatt said the adult cats are typically healthy, and that the biggest medical issues are with kittens coming in from the streets.

Hiatt also wants the public to be aware of Ambassadors for God’s Creatures, which can help with vouchers for spaying and neutering pets.

“I think we have a pretty good group of women who work together and try our best to get things done,” said Hiatt. “One of the girls on my team is going haywire, thinking of all sorts of fundraising ideas.”

“Personally, I think if you go out and support the community, they’ll come and support you,” said Hiatt, who said her and her crew were going to support the Elwood football team in their first home game.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Elwood Animal Shelter, please visit them in person or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elwoodanimalshelter.