Animal Shelter Begins New Year with New Staff

Animal Welfare Remains Paramount

By Cathy Kuehner

The adverse effects of a years-long global health crisis affected every aspect of life for humans — and as a result — their pets. Like shelters across the country, the Clarke Animal Shelter experienced staffing challenges, handled record adoptions, and then filled to capacity with animals no longer wanted.

As 2023 begins, the Clarke Animal Shelter has new employees, dedicated volunteers, and a renewed sense of purpose: Provide the best possible care to every animal, and find the perfect home for each cat, dog, and occasional rabbit, guinea pig, or horse.

Katrina Carroll, 39, is Clarke County’s new shelter manager. The Maine native and professional riding instructor began working at the shelter as a volunteer before being a part-time paid employee in October 2022. She was pro- moted to full-time manager as of January 1. She reports to the county administrator.

Jared Schneck, 30, is the full-time kennel attendant and serves as lead when Carroll is out. He began volunteering at the shelter in January 2022 and was hired after five months of exemplary work.

There are also two part-time paid shelter employees, who also began as volunteers.

“Caring for animals is physically demanding work, and the necessary technical and interpersonal skills add to the job requirements. Finding the right people is difficult,” said County Administrator Chris Boies who oversees the shelter.

“We were fortunate to hire Katrina and Jared. They rise to the daily challenges with calmness, kindness, and dedication.”

In 2022, the Clarke Animal Shelter cared for 322 cats, 148 dogs, and 34 other animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits. At year’s end, 320 animals found new homes, and 61 strays reunited with their owners.

“I accepted the job because I saw a need, and I have the skill set to manage the shelter, its staff, volunteers, visitors, and the animals,” said Carroll.

“Clarke is a place that cares deeply about its animal population. The shelter should be a place where people can find support and resources for their animals in addition to being a place to find the perfect pet.”

She continued, “A large part of our work will be public education, so we keep animals out of shelters.” That education includes conversations about the importance of spaying and neutering, and teaching how to care for each breed of animal.

Schneck grew up with animals and worked on farms as a young adult. “I like that there is purpose in what I do every day at the shelter,” he said, adding, “I take pride in working with animals that arrive scared and timid to help them become confident and comfortable, so they can be adopted.”

He said working at the shelter has also taught him about himself. “I’ve learned I’m capable of more than I thought. I’ve surprised myself with how much can be going on, and I remain calm.”

Carroll shares Schneck’s sense of purpose. Both believe it is essential that every animal is well cared for and feels secure. No matter what circumstances brought an animal to the shelter, its life improves when it comes through the door.

A cadre of volunteers, who are essential to the shelter’s day-to-day operations, support the small paid staff. On average, 10 to 15 people help each week by cleaning cages and kennels, walking dogs, and organizing donations. “We could not accomplish all that we do without our wonderful volunteers,” Carroll said.

Clarke is also fortunate to have a “state-of-the-art facility, thanks to everyone who donated to make it so,” said Carroll. “We want to utilize this facility the way it was intended.”

Before the Clarke Animal Shelter on Ramsburg Lane opened in 2004, stray and unwanted cats and dogs were kept at the Warner-Lloyd Animal Shelter on Rt. 608 (Parshall Road). Built in 1983, the facility was named for two Clarke residents who worked tirelessly on behalf of animals. Garland Lloyd was its longtime animal control officer, and Mary Warner, who in the 1960s established a grassroots organization — later known “Action 81” — dedicated to stopping the then-rampant theft of dogs and cats that were being sold for medical research, dogfights, and other uses.

The Parshall Road facility was too small to meet the county’s needs. So, in the early 2000s, residents formed the nonprofit Clarke County Humane Foundation and set about to find more land and raise funds for a bigger shelter.

Betty Casey donated 10 acres along Ramsburg Lane, and the Humane Foundation raised $929,000 (with $200,000 from the Board of Supervisors) to build the 6,400-squarefoot Clarke Animal Shelter. It opened in fall 2004.

Clarke County government operates and staffs the shelter. The CCHF continues to raise funds to pay for spaying and neutering animals adopted by Clarke County residents and partially covering the cost of spaying and neutering for outof-county residents.

Two years ago, the shelter expanded with a 1,093-squarefoot isolation room also funded through generous donations. The addition has a separate entrance so new animals can be quarantined to prevent the spread of illness until they are deemed healthy enough to be placed alongside other animals in the shelter. Clarke County Sheriff’s deputies specially trained as animal control officers use the isolation room to drop off lost and stray animals.

The Clarke Animal Shelter also has a small pasture and run-in shed for large animals. It has been a temporary home for

Celebrating 35 Wonderful Years!

cattle, sheep, horses, and goats over the years.

It will soon be “kitten season” at the Clarke Animal Shelter, and abandoned dogs and cats will continue to arrive. Carroll said, “Our goal is to manage this shelter so it is never full and we never have to euthanize any animal.”

The Clarke Animal Shelter is located at 225 Ramsburg Lane, west of Berryville. Its hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Tuesday. It is closed on Wednesday and holidays. Contact the shelter at (540) 955-5104 or animalshelter@ clarkecounty.gov.

The Clarke County Sheriff’s Office handles Animal Control for domestic animals and livestock throughout the county. Contact Animal Control 24 hours a day at (540) 955-1234 or animalcontrol@clarkecounty.gov.

How to Volunteer or Support the Animal Shelter

The Clarke County Humane Foundation is a local, nonprofit organization established in 2000 to help unwanted, homeless, and abandoned animals in Clarke County. Its eight-member board and its fundraising efforts support the Clarke Animal Shelter. The 501(c)(3) foundation is not affiliated with the national Humane Society or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

The Clarke Animal Shelter accepts hundreds of cats, dogs, and others pets such as guinea pigs and rabbits each year. All require daily care, food, and water, even on holidays when other offices and businesses are closed.

It takes many people to tend to all the animals – and wash endless loads of towels and blankets. Shelter Manager Katrina Carroll and Kennel Attendant Jared Schneck are always happy to talk with anyone who is interested in volunteering.

Clarke Animal Shelter volunteers must at least 16-years old and complete some paperwork and training. Groups that want to complete service projects are also welcomed.

Just as Carroll and Schneck are concerned with the animals’ welfare, they are equally concerned with the safety of all volunteers and visitors. Because some animals behave differently when they are frightened in new surroundings, training and safety precautions for humans at the shelter are essential.

In addition to volunteers, the Clarke County Humane Foundation relies on financial support to fulfill its mission. Send contributions as checks (payable to Clarke County Humane Foundation) to: Clarke County Humane Foundation, P.O. Box 713, Berryville, VA 22611.

Contact the Clarke Animal Shelter at (540) 955-5104 or animalshelter@clarkecounty. gov. Follow “Clarke County Humane Foundation” on Facebook.