Heber Springs woman offers shelter for furry friends
HEBER SPRINGS — Priscilla Stone has been on a campaign for three years to provide food, doghouses and hay for area dogs that had no protection from the winter elements.
Stone, a retired English professor from Arkansas State University, started gathering doghouses and taking them to people’s homes for outside dogs.
“I bought my truck, aware that there is a problem, and even if the [doghouses] are nasty, I will pick them up and take them to car washes and clean them,” Stone said. “Some of the businesses donate food and hay, and that helps.
“Because of COVID-19, more people are in a desperate situation. Right now, I am the one taking care of the dogs, and I need a little help, and I’m asking people to donate whatever they are no longer using.”
She said many people in the area will drop off doghouses at her home, Tractor Supply Co. donates food, and the farm store often supplies hay. She said she also takes wormer to area dogs whose families cannot provide the medicine and rehomes dogs who must be surrendered. She said that right before the snowstorm, she delivered four doghouses, hay and 50-pound bags of food in a 60-mile radius.
“I’m not asking for money, but I’m asking for help because it has gotten bigger than just me,” Stone said. “I can haul three doghouses in my truck and two bales of hay.”
Stone said that when the local animal shelter hears of dogs that are being neglected, the shelter sends her the addresses.
“Between the texts and private messages and the animal shelter, that’s how I get the contact information,” Stone said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, people are home, and they are thrilled to see me. There is a tiny percentage who are offended and refuse help.”
Dianne Jones, president of the board for the Heber Springs Humane Society,
said Stone receives phone calls and messages from people all over the county for dogs and animals that need shelter.
“We have given her doghouses and bales of hay to help with her project,” Jones said. “Anyway she can help, she will do it. She takes doghouses to owners [whose dogs] need the shelter. … She is an advocate of homeless animals and animals in need, which is also our mission.”
Jones said Heber Springs has a population of under 8,000 and is a close-knit community.
“We do have a lot of people who need help feeding their animals,” she said.
“We have a sense that there are a lot of people who are in need and out of work,” Jones said. “We are a rural community. We have animals that are surrendered to us [by people who] can’t afford to take care of them, feed them or vaccinate them, or [the animals are] injured.
“We help people in Heber Springs and Cleveland County, as well as Quitman, Pangburn and Greers Ferry. We reach out to those areas and help where we can.”
Jones said the shelter stays full with about 70 dogs and 35 cats. The Heber Springs Humane Society is at 49 Shelter Lane. For more information, call (501) 362-7322.
Stone has worked with the shelter since 1977, and she said she “just has a huge soft spot for dogs.”
“It is woven into the fabric of who I am,” Stone said. “I can’t help it.”
“Priscilla is someone that the community knows, and they call her and try to help,” Jones said. “She is just a wonderful person who uses her own truck, gas and her money and gets the most out of it.
“She takes food where it is needed, and she is great about it.”
Stone lives in downtown Heber Springs and has three dogs on her property, three on her son’s property and one on her daughter’s. She said all seven dogs are rescues.
Stone said anyone who wants to help can donate new or used doghouses, and she will come pick them up in a 40-mile radius. Donated dog food, hay and straw are also accepted. Financial donations can be made to the Heber Springs Humane Society and earmarked “Stone.” She said donations are tax-deductible.
Stone, who has also recently rescued and re-homed horses in the past couple of months, said those interested in helping with that project can text her at (501) 691-1558. Staff writer Sam Pierce can be reached at (501) 244-4314 or spierce@arkansasonline.com.