The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Dogs, people celebrate at kennel
Six dogs went home with new owners, and a number of visitors came out for the Lorain County Dog Kennel’s first Dog Appreciation Day.
The county kennel, 301 Hadaway Court in Elyria, opened its doors to volunteers, dog lovers and visitors the afternoon of Aug. 26. The date also was National Dog Day, an informal holiday to celebrate animals and encourage dog adoption.
For Lorain County, it was a celebration with a purpose to match some of the kennel residents with new or existing owners. The free event did not log exact attendance, but volunteers gave away at least 75 goody bags, one per family for visitors.
Lorain County Dog Warden Tim Pihlblad explained the conditions there with Tory Mittler,of Elyria, administrator for the Volunteers of the Lorain County Dog Kennel group, and Samantha Vidnovic,a volunteer who organized the day. She also is an education student at Baldwin Wallace University who adopted her mixed-breed dog, Red, from the Lorain County Dog Kennel.
The staff and dog lovers must manage limited time and space, because the county kennel has capacity of 28 large cages and 12 small dog cages.
That may sound like a lot,
but the kennel took in 1,164 dogs in 2016, Pihlblad said. Over the July 4 weekend, the kennel took in 24 dogs, so the facility was packed.
“This has been a bad year,” Mittler said. “We’ve been full most of the year, but it does get worse in the summer.”
The kennel tends to take in more dogs during the summer, because people let their pets out to play in nice weather, and the animals sometimes run off. Family visits over the holiday weekends also create chances for dogs to get out by accident, Pihlblad and Mittler said.
By law, after three days, the kennel may euthanize unclaimed dogs, but everyone would much rather send the friendly ones to good homes.
Pihlblad and the volunteers thanked Lorain County Commissioners Ted Kalo, Lori Kokoski and Matt Lundy for allowing extra efforts to save the dogs and raise awareness about the facility.
The kennel dogs cost $66; the price includes spaying or neutering and a vaccine against ailments including distemper and parvo.
On Aug. 26, it seemed everyone
attending had a dog tale to tell.
Cleveland-area volunteer Mike Yonek had time to say goodbye to Shark, a mixed breed dog who was to leave that day with new owners Tyler and Mae Calvert, of Elyria.
“I haven’t seen him in about a week, so he really missed me,” Yonek said as he petted Shark’s head. “Me and this dog are getting really attached.”
Vendors who set up shop said they supported the cause.
Scentsy consultant Becky Vassar, of Elyria, had items for sale, with proceeds going to the kennel. Her dog is Barret, a vizsla, or Hungarian hunting breed, that she got from the county kennel 5 ½ years ago.
“So I always try to give back and donate to them whenever I can, because he’s such a big part of my life,” Vassar said. “We absolutely love him. He’s a huge part of our family.”
The Lorain County Dog Kennel is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call the kennel at 440326-5995.