Animal shelter looking to future with new director

Fort Scott's no-kill animal shelter has a new director, and the future is looking good.

"I'm highly optimistic about the future," said Harold Hicks, president of the board of Lee's Paws and Claws Animal Shelter.

Ann Clarkson, who had served on the board as treasurer, was selected as the new director at the monthly board meeting on Oct. 29, following her stint as interim director beginning July1.

"I can always count on Ann Clarkson for ideas," Hicks said. "The future can only get better with competent leadership and wonderful volunteers."

Thosa Karleskint is the new facility coordinator. Other volunteers who help on consistent rotation are Becky Andres, Wendi Andres, Penny Huff and Tiffani Clarkson.

Clarkson agrees with Hicks about the future of the facility, which opened last year.

"I have good feelings about the future," Clarkson said. "Ann Gilmore-Hoffman volunteered as director here the first year, from July 2012 to July 2013, and lived at the facility. She wanted to see the facility open. That was her gift to the Shirley Yeager Animal Foundation. Ann knew Shirley personally. Ann got us licensed, did intakes and other administrative duties," Clarkson said.

How the shelter is funded

Clarkson said the board is working towards a fundraiser each month for the no-kill shelter.

One fundraiser she is excited about allows people to donate when they shop online shopping at Amazon.com.

"Fundinco. It's super-easy, and all you have to do is shop at Amazon.com after visiting a link," Clarkson said. "For every dollar spent at Amazon.com, we will receive a commission on the purchase. There are no additional costs to you, no logins, and no strings attached."

Those who want to participate can go to the link, http://www.fundinco.org/orghome.php?orgid=996.

Clarkson also encourages people to think of adopting a pet as a Christmas present.

"You can adopt a fur-baby for Christmas." Clarkson said. "We call our animals fur-babies."

Adoptions can take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week, except holidays.

"The adoption fee is $35 along with the spay/neuter fee of $30, for a total of $65 for a dog. It's $55 for a cat," she said.

Shepherd Team Auto Plaza and Toyota sponsor a monthly adoption site the last Saturday of each month, where the business also donates the adoption fee for the animals, Clarkson said.

"The next anticipated adoption day is Dec. 28 at Shepherds, as weather permits," she said.

In the meantime, residents can look online for animals.

Animals available for adoption can be seen on Lee's Paws and Claws Animal Shelter Facebook page.

Donations -- all types -- appreciated

Donations of time are valued.

"We have so many types of volunteers...mowing grass, helping with the animals, administrative assistance," Clarkson said. "Joe, with Joe Tucker Construction came out...donated four days with a skid loader, and track hoe and cleaned out our front ditches. We couldn't mow the front, so you couldn't see (the building). Now we can mow it and the facility can be seen. He also cleared a pathway on the 20 acres to access the back. All free."

Routing work is also appreciated.

"We also want to give a special thank you to Gary Singmaster for mowing our grass and meadow," Clarkson added.

Bringing unwanted animals to the shelter

People can bring animals to the shelter only by appointment, Clarkson said.

"If you are wanting to bring an animal to the shelter, please call before coming out," she said. "We are licensed by the state of Kansas and are limited to how many animals we can take."

Careful consideration must be taken for the animals that are currently residing at the shelter, Clarkson said.

For appointments or questions about animal intake please call me at (620) 224-0924," she said.

Progress

Hicks said he has been surprised at the progress of the shelter.

"I was amazed to see building go up out there, and then we did so well the first year. It's kind of a miracle," he said.

Besides Hicks, the board consists of Clarkson as secretary-treasurer, and Gillmore-Hoffman as the vice-president.

Others board members are Regena Lance, Karleskint, Sharon Shepherd, Mike Feagins, Marti Wells-Smith, Ralea DeGruson, Susan DiNardo, Pam Moyer, Dan Rowe, Janet Cook, and Barbara Ritter.

For more information visit the website www.LeesPawsAndClaws.org or email Clarkson at director@LeesPawsandClaws.org. The phone number of the facility is (620) 223-2888.

The facility is located southeast of Fort Scott at 721 240th Street.