Connecting Pets and People

www.smokymountainnews.com

Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information

April 27-May 3, 2016 Vol. 17 Iss. 48

Haywood schools rethink cuts following backlash Page 18 Tribal Council banishes 15 for drug offenses Page 22

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Connecting Pets & People 2016 The Catman of Jackson County

Honoring the house cat with a museum

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Catman2 needs help if it’s to stay in the business of helping Jackson County’s cats in distress. The shelter itself requires at least $70,000 per year to pay for staffing, vet work, medications, cat food, cat litter and utilities. On top of that, Catman2 is in the process of opening a cat museum on U.S. 441 in the Savannah area of Jackson County.

Rent will cost $1,000 per month.

Donate online at www.catman2.org or send checks to Catman2, Inc., P.O. Box 2344, Cullowhee, N.C. 28723. A fundraising page for the museum is at www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/the-american-museum-of-the-house-cat-for-catman2.

Sims reflects on decades of dedication to the feline population

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER Harold “Catman” Sims grew up in a household full of dogs.

Doberman pinschers, to be exact. His dad had started breeding them right before the beginning of World War II, when Sims was a boy living on the family farm in upstate New York. They were valuable animals, some even going into the U.S. Marines as war dogs when the conflict erupted.

But mostly what Sims remembers is the noise, and the chewing.

“I don’t have much use for dogs,” he said. “Cats to me are so much more interesting and so much quieter and loving in not an overt way, but they still show you they love you in a quiet, peaceful way.”

Before retiring to Jackson County, Sims, 81, was a biology instructor at St. Petersburg Community College in Florida. He developed an appreciation of cats for their evolutionary history as well as for their quiet purring.

They’ve been survivors from the get-go.

“The cat really came to man not because he wanted to help man but because he wanted to get food from the rats man had attracted,” Sims said.

“Really,” he added, “the cat saved man’s life because he kept the grain from being eaten by the rats.”

These are reflections Sims can now make while sitting in a 4,000-square-foot house dedicated entirely to cats.

The Catman2 Cat Shelter, located on Bo Cove Road in

Harold Sims, known in the mountains as “The Catman,” is on a mission to bring the glory of the American house cat to the masses.

Or, more specifically, to open up a museum dedicated to showing visitors all there is to know about cats and their long history with humans.

“I want people to know more about the cat,” Sims said. “I want people to be able to appreciate the cat, and I want it to be a teaching museum.”

Sims, 81, is the owner of the Catman2 Cat Rescue in Cullowhee, and he’s also a longtime collector of cat-related artifacts. Walk through the shelter, and you’ll see walls adorned with paintings, antique ads and many other iterations of framed furry faces. But Sims has plenty more cat paraphernalia than what’s displayed at the shelter. Art glass, wind-up

Lend a hand

Cullowhee, holds anywhere from 60 to 90 cats at any one time, with a dual goal of finding loving homes for homeless cats and giving a happy, well-fed life to those unlikely to be adopted.

BECOMING THE CATMAN

Catman2, run by Harold Sims (pictured) is a 4,000square-foot cat house that holds anywhere from 60 to 90 cats at a time. Holly Kays photo

When Sims retired in 1991, he had no inkling that, 25 years later, he’d be sitting where he is, doing what he is.

In fact, when Sims’ beloved 19-year-old cat died years ago, he and his wife agreed they’d take a break from cats for a while. But then they moved to the mountains, and a stray cat that came to be named Marco showed up on a neighbor’s porch. It soon became the Sims’ pet.

“Marco led to another cat named Suki that led to a cat named something else,” Sims said.

He’d already been involved with the animal shelter in St. Petersburg, so when he and his wife came to live in North Carolina he began to get involved with a local animal shelter. Sims and the shelter eventually had a parting of ways, but he continued to work

toys, stuffed animals, chrome lithograph photography from the 1880s — all the cat-related antiques imaginable.

“I’ve got some real rare, high-end pieces,” Sims said.

By the end of June, Sims hopes to have them displayed in a pair of rooms he’s rented from the Old School Antique Mall along U.S. 441 in the Savannah area of Jackson County. Once the space is all cleared out and cleaned up, he’ll start moving in, and he’s got all sorts of plans for what the space can be.

“You’ll be walking into a cat space when you’re walking into the building,” he said, explaining the false front he envisions that will make the entrance looks like a cat’s mouth.

Murals will cover the wall outside, and the self-guided museum will feature a history of the cat, charts detailing its anatomy and a mock-up of a vet’s office in addition to the antiques.

According to Sims’ research, there’s only one other cat museum in the country — in Alliance, Ohio.

“I think we could have another museum in this country, and it could be here because there are cat lovers everywhere,” he said.

In Sims’ estimation, cat lovers’ numbers are only going to

increase, as more people move to urban environments and the market tends to smaller, more compact homes. If those trends continue, he reasons, the house cat’s low space and maintenance needs will only cause it to rise in importance as America’s preferred pet.

“There’s going to be more need to have cats,” he said.

Sims also sees the cat museum as a way to draw attention to the value of his collection. Now in his 80s, Sims knows full well he won’t be around forever. He worries constantly about how the shelter will remain afloat when he’s gone, and while he believes his antique collection is extremely valuable, he’s skeptical that, without some advance planning, it would sell for much more than nickels on the dollar.

By teaming up with the antique mall and getting visitors through to admire the pieces, he said, they could be sold slowly over time to bring in money to the felines of Catman2.

“It’s going to be a lot of work to get the thing set up and running, but I think when it gets up it’s going to be a real asset to the county,” he said.

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CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY It hasn’t been easy. In some ways, the Carolina mountains are “dog country” — it’s hard for Sims to get the donations he needs to keep the cats-only shelter afloat, with his own money supplementing many of the operations.

“I’m taking no salary for myself, and for the first five years I paid all the insurance and all the lights,” he said. He also used his own money to build the building, and the nonprofit doesn’t pay rent for use of the space. He relies on Lynch to put in more time than what Catman2 can pay him for.

With all that as fact, it probably doesn’t have to be stated that Sims really likes cats. Even with dozens living at the cat house — which is on the same piece of property as his home — he still keeps seven for himself. A couple of those are “foster cats,” animals whose owners send a monthly donation for Sims to keep them. Three are shelter cats that weren’t compatible with the others at the shelter.

Lynch is of somewhat the same mind — he’s currently keeping 10 cats and three dogs at his house, though three of the 13 animals are fosters.

Each of the hundreds of cats Sims has known over the shelter’s lifetime has its own history and personality, but he doesn’t pick favorites.

“There’s no cat that I really don’t like,” he said. “To me they’re all just different colors, you know?”

Jellybean loses sight, finds new home Star Ranch looks for successor to carry on the cause

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR Jellybean is a 31-year-old blind miniature horse. Not being able to see her surroundings may seem like an insurmountable obstacle, but Star Ranch in Haywood County has made it possible for Jellybean to have a second chance to find a family.

Jellybean was brought to Star Ranch about two years ago when her elderly owner could no longer care for her. Karen Owens, director of Star Ranch, said Jellybean had already lost vision in one eye when she came to the horse-rescue ranch, but has been completely blind for the last year.

Fellow rescue horses Sweet Pea and Chip have adopted Jellybean and help her get around the ranch. Now the three horses are inseparable.

“Sweet Pea is a 32-year-old broodmare, and I think she just thought Jellybean was her baby and Chip has acted as her surrogate papa,” Owens said. “Sweet Pea only has one good eye and that’s all that matters.”

At first, Owens said she put a bell on Sweet Pea so Jellybean would be able to stay with her, but now she doesn’t even need the bell anymore. If Sweet Pea wanders too far from Jellybean, the little blind horse lets out a loud squeal, which alerts Sweet Pea to come back for her.

“Since she could still see when she Star Ranch arrived, at least she is familiar enough with her surroundings to be comfortable and happy 970 Rabbit Skin Road, Waynesville, N.C. here,” Owens said as she reached out her arm 828.400.4940 or karne.starranch@gmail.com To make a donation, volunteer or sponsor a horse, visit to give Jellybean a treat. “Jelly want a treat?”

Jellybean quickly replies to Owens’ question www.star-ranch-rescue.com. by nodding her head up and down.

Jelly and Sweet Pea’s loss of vision can most likely be attributed to uveitis. It is fairly common in older horses and researchers can’t seem to pinpoint one specific cause.

It’s just one of the many heartbreaking cases Owens sees on the ranch on a weekly basis.

Since she and her late husband Jim started Star Ranch 11 years ago, they have taken in about 100 horses to rehabilitate with the hope of readopting them out. They been able to find homes for 60 of those horses, while others weren’t fortunate enough to make it or have made the ranch more of a permanent home, like Jellybean. Unless someone wanted her as well as her adopted parents, Owens said it would be hard to find her a perfect home.

“I’m just not sure she’d do well in an entirely new setting she’s not familiar with,” Owens said about trying to find someone to adopt Jellybean. “It would have to be a very special person or situation to let her leave Sweet Pea and Chip — we just couldn’t do that to her.”

But Star Ranch does have 16 other horses and four donkeys that are in need of a good home. Owens said horses come to her ranch from all over and for many different reasons — maybe their owner can’t care for them anymore, can’t afford them, are forced to move somewhere else, or there is abuse and neglect.

In March, Star Ranch took in nine horses from The Haven in Raeford. The Haven made the news earlier this year when dozens of dead animals were reportedly found on the shelter property. Law enforcement shut down the operation and more than 600 dogs, cats, horses, pigs and birds had to be seized and relocated. Star Ranch still has four of those horses left that are available for adoption.

“We drove five hours down there and five hours back to get those horses,” Owens said. “They were so happy to be free when they got here that they just ran laps around the ranch until they were exhausted.”

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

with cats in need.

“I had a little shed and I fixed it up with wire pens and little cheap cages and started rescuing cats,” he said. “We went dumpster diving and took out cats rather than other things.”

Before moving to Cullowhee, Sims lived in Brevard.

Every Saturday morning, he’d show up to one of the thrift stores there with five or six cats in the back of his car, working all day to get them adopted. That’s when he first came to be known as The Catman. Sims like the moniker and decided to formalize it with a vanity license plate.

Unfortunately, “Catman” had already been taken.

“Catman2 sounded like Katmandu, so I decided to put a two after it,” he said.

The final step in the making of Catman2 was construction of the cat house. A search for affordable property led Sims to Cullowhee. Over pancakes in the restaurant space where the Sylva Bogart’s is now, Sims and his contractor friend Jack Nowlin came up with the outline for the design.

They went out and started digging holes. When the thing was about halfway done, Sims had a sudden realization — the 35-by-16-foot room was going to be too small.

So, he made lemons out of lemonade. The project was finished in 2002, two years after it began. By then it had grown to include a hallway encircling the original room, with a round of cat rooms circling that. The rooms all include a screened-in porch area, allowing the cats to get out for fresh air and sun whenever they so choose.

These days, Sims adopts out about 135 cats per year, logging more than 3,000 adoptions since his beginning as Catman in 1996.

There’s more going on than just adoption. Another part of Catman’s work is preventing unwanted kitty pregnancies, beginning a program in 2014 to provide free and lowcost spay/neuter services. In 2015, Catman2 fixed more than 350 cats — both pets and feral cats — and has done 75 so far this year.

“There’s not feral dogs running around the woods having feral puppies all the time, but there are feral cats doing it as we speak,” said Kaleb Lynch, the shelter’s manager, who also volunteers his time for trapping feral cats to be fixed. “It’s certainly a problem we can fix. We just have to have the support to do it.”

FINDING THE NEXT LEADER Owens grew up on a farm in Ohio. She moved to Haywood County to be in the real estate business, but quickly found another cause that needed her attention. As she went to look at properties for clients, she kept seeing horses tied up or sitting lonely in a barn stall. Without a horse rescue facility west of Asheville, Owens knew she had to do something.

“No horse should have to be alone,” she said. “They don’t feel safe, they need a companion.”

While she can’t imagine doing anything else, Owens knows she won’t live forever. She wants to find someone as passionate as she is about carrying on the ranch into the future. Three people total run the ranch with the help of volunteers and no one collects a salary. The ranch has to raise about $55,000 a year to fulfill its mission and has been able to meet that goal with year-round fundraising efforts.

Owens is very thankful for the support the community has given Star Ranch and hopes that support continues.

“If people didn’t help us, I don’t know what would happen,” she said.

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CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016 6

One of the leading researchers on the human/animal interaction, Western Carolina University Professor of Psychology Dr. Hal Herzog is the author of Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat — Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals.

To eat or not to eat, that is the question WCU researcher examines the human/pet interaction

BY GARRET K. WOODWARD STAFF WRITER Cherished family member, societal parasite, or dinner?

“Dogs can be loved here in the United States, but loathed in Saudi Arabia, and then looked at as dinner in Korea,” said Dr. Hal Herzog. “The same animal that looks cute in all these places, but there are tremendous differences in how they’re viewed around the world — culture seems to be more important than biology in our interactions with animals.”

Professor of Psychology at Western Carolina University, Herzog is one the leading researchers when it comes to human nature and how animals — as pets or for food — affect our physical and mental health. Author of the book Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat — Why It’s So Hard to Think Straight About Animals, Herzog aims to not only make sense of animals and their societal role, but also make it clear as to what we may or may not be doing right to our furry and feathery friends (or foes).

“Most people weren’t conflicted about these issues 20 or 30 years ago,” Herzog said. “But, what’s happened is that we’ve humanized groups of animals in our culture, which are known as our pets. I mean, there’s a TV station for dogs nowadays. You can even buy a wedding dress for your dog and have them get married.”

And don’t get Herzog started on the cat phenomenon in modern times.

“The cat fascination is huge,” he chuckled. “There are YouTube videos now just for cats, and my cat loves to watch these videos. There’ll be mice running the screen of my iPhone, and now my cat and I have something to do together.”

But don’t be fooled, Herzog said, for just when you think you know what’s best for your cat, you may want to dive a little deeper into the issue.

“There’s a huge topic of debate whether to let your cat outside or not. I stand firmly with letting my cat outside because animals should be able to exhibit their natural behaviors, like if your cat kills a bird,” Herzog said. “Sure, by letting the cat outside, you may cut their lifespan in half due to getting hit by a car or eaten by a coyote, but you’re also giving them their freedom — a fish has got to swim, a bird has got to fly, and a cat has got to kill.”

So, where does one draw the line when it comes to what animals we bring home to love, and what animals we bring home to eat?

“If you’re a dog person, then why not also be a pig person, too? Why do we eat one and not the other?”

Herzog said. “And yet, we’re the only species that has these moral dilemmas. I can’t explain to my cat that killing a bird is wrong, that she should be punished.”

When speaking at length about human/animal interactions, Herzog shifts his thoughts to animal shelters. In 1975, more than 25 million dogs and cats were euthanized in animal shelters, where these days that number has dropped to around 3 million.

“Our attitudes about animals are changing,” Herzog said. “The spay and neuter movements have been highly successful, as is the idea to not buy a purebred, but an animal from a shelter.”

As someone who has spent more than 30 years studying and researching humans and animals, Herzog sees huge imbalances in where we stand as a world in the 21st century. In essence, for everything good we’re doing, we’re also

Want to know more?

For more information about the works of Dr. Hal Herzog or to purchase his book, go to www.halherzog.com, which also includes links to his popular blog that encompasses a variety of topics about the human/animal interaction.

drastically affecting the animal populations of the world with our differing viewpoints on what is morally good or bad.

“In general, the downside is that things are getting very worse for animals. Americans might be eating less meat, but worldwide the number of meat consumed is expected to double in the next 30 years. And this consumption will be largely supplied by huge factory farms that contribute to global warming,” Herzog warned. “But, the upside is that in developing nations we’re caring more. We’re learning so much about the effect that animals have on humans, and their importance to our daily lives and well-being of the planet.”

But, all is not lost or somber, Herzog emphasized.

“What we’re learning as a society is how to temper logic with common sense and emotion, with emotions a good part of making ethical decisions,” he noted.

That said, how does one keep from going crazy when it comes to your moral compass in regards to animals, loved or consumed?

“With my book, I concluded that moral consistency is overrated,” Herzog said. “You have people who feel guilty driving down the road because their vehicle is killing bugs. Then you have people who spend twice as much on a piece of chicken because that label says ‘free range’ or ‘organic,’ and it’s in an effort to feel better about yourself.

But, what one should do to keep from going crazy is simply take small steps and make smarter choices in what they eat and how they treat or interact with their pets — it’s all connected.”

When reading his book, Herzog said there were meat eaters who became vegetarians, and vegetarians who reverted back to meat eaters.

“I don’t want people to read what I have to say and think they’re worthless or a bad pet owner or a bad member of society,” he said. “People can’t beat themselves up over these things. It’s about being aware of your place in society and how to make positive change.”

And after one converses with Herzog, you tend to find yourself with more questions than answers. It’s a sentiment Herzog himself has been wrestling with for his entire career. For each piece of information cultivated and cataloged, another piece is discovered, ready to be held up to the light of scientific merit and public scrutiny. It’s a rabbit hole with no light at the end of the tunnel. But to Herzog, his colleagues and pet lovers, the work goes on, and hopefully in the right direction of sensible progress amid an ever-growing world.

“Animals occupy virtually every aspect of our lives,” Herzog said. “And it’s only now that people are starting to realize this amazing window into our lives, and in the lives of animals, where it all has deep ramifications for human health, and for societal culture.”

S.T.A.R.

SAVE THE ANIMALS RESCUE

Come see us at: MAY 7: WHOLE BLOOMIN’ THING

Rahama Kennel & Cattery Rahama Kennel is a safe, clean and caring place to leave your pets. Our dogs have indooroutdoor runs which open out to an exercise area. Dogs are let out, one at a time, at least three times a day in our fenced in exercise yard.

In a completely separate area, the cats have double-wide indoor cat condos complete with shelves for lounging on. Bedding and litter boxes provided.

Frog Level, Waynesville

JUNE 18: ANNUAL YARD SALE Maggie Valley Methodist Church

JULY 2: VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY And Open House at the Ranch

OCTOBER 8: HART THEATRE

Owner and operator Adam Grooms has been in the pet care business for over 15 years and is a trusted and reliable pet care professional. Try us out, your pets will want to come back!

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Now in their 11th year, STAR Ranch has rescued 99 horses, found homes for 60 and maintains 16 at the ranch with several in foster farms. Many like Cherokee, pictured here, are adoptable today. Call 828-400-4940 for info.

394 Underwood Cove Road · Waynesville

Stage production

828.452.2176

www.RahamaKennel.com

970 Rabbit Skin Rd. • Waynesville www.star-ranch-rescue.com

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Boarding services for pets since 1989!

Excellent, affordable veterinary emergency care for your pets.

It is Haywood Animal Emergency’s mission to provide after hours and emergency services to the community and its pets with a caring environment.

Treating both clients and patients with compassion, kindness and respect.

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828.452.1478

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Mon. - Fri. 5:30pm - Midnight • Sat. & Sun. 8:30am - Midnight

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CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

PAWS director passionate about placing pets

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR eth Cline has rescued animals since she was a young child. Her father would scold her every time she brought home another box of kittens, but she just couldn’t leave them sitting on the side of the road and would always find them a good home.

“I’ve had a passion for rescuing animals since I could barely walk and talk,” she said. “I was raised here in Bryson City, so finding animals on the side of the road is something I’m used to.”

Cline was able to turn her longtime passion for animals into a career about four years ago when she became the executive director of PAWS of Bryson City, the only animal welfare organization in Swain County. Even before she was the director of PAWS, she contributed to the nonprofit for 10 years through volunteering and donating to their cause.

For too many years Cline has watched as abused and neglected dogs and cats come through the shelter doors.

They are scared, starving and in desperate need of medical attention. Some are scarred emotionally while others have been beaten, shot or simply abandoned. It never gets easier for her to see animals in distress, but seeing them recover from the brink of death and find a forever home makes it all worth it.

“But I don’t want people to think the shelter is a sad place because most people when they leave are happy because they see the animals are happy,” she said. “They see the dogs aren’t in cages or crying. They get to run around and play together.”

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Beth Cline, director of PAWS in Bryson City, cuddles with a cat at the shelter while several adoptable dogs beg for her attention.

Jessi Stone photo

we can try to help them however we can.”

Animal abuse and neglect is another big issue that keeps the PAWS shelter full and drives up the cost for the organization. Cline said many owners abandon their dogs if they get heartworms, which is easily preventable but expensive to treat. Treatment for heartworms can cost about $700 per dog.

Cline has seen plenty of cases where dogs and cats were thrown out of a vehicle or abandoned on the side of the road or even thrown in the river. They’ve also had cases of people moving and leaving their animals in the house or chained up out back.

SUCCESS STORIES One of Cline’s adopted dogs, Miracle, had been abandoned inside a home for three weeks before she came to PAWS shelter. The vet told Cline to just take the husky mix home and make her feel comfortable, which is code for “she won’t make it through the night.” But she did make it through the night and slowly regained her strength.

“Now she’s my biggest helper with the other rescue animals because she knows someone saved her,” Cline said.

Cline admits it’s hard to let go of an animal after you’ve nursed it back to life. She adopted Miracle and also Sadie, a lab mix that needed a very expensive surgery that PAWS couldn’t afford. Sadie was found at 5 weeks old with a broken leg, dislocated hips and a cut neck. From the looks of it,

SHELTER CHALLENGES

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As the only shelter in Swain County, PAWS has many challenges in meeting its mission to save animals. The county doesn’t have its own shelter or animal control services, which means PAWS bears a large burden.

Resources, funding, volunteers and space is limited.

PAWS formed in 1989 and the shelter was built a few years after that. Cline said a new and larger shelter is desperately needed. When asked how much space she would need, her eyes grew larger.

“Well I’d love to be able to take in 100 animals, but the shelter would need to be sustainable,” she said.

It would be difficult to measure the space needed to fulfill the growing need in Swain County. The shelter can currently legally accommodate 15 dogs and 15 cats — and it’s always at capacity. A litter of Aussie-mix puppies and their parents were brought in the other day, but with no room for them they will all be transported to an Atlanta shelter soon.

PAWS tries its best to educate people about spaying and neutering their pets to cut down on the number of unwanted puppies and kittens, but it remains a big problem in Swain County because people think they can’t afford it. PAWS offers two spay and neuter programs — one is a subsidized program through a local veterinarian office and the other is a free program through a state grant.

“There are people who qualify for the low-income program, but they have multiple animals so they just can’t seem to catch up,” Cline said. “But if they reach out to us

PAWS • Provides care for homeless and injured dogs and cats and facilitates pet adoptions in Swain County.

• 57 Lemons Branch Road, Bryson City • 828.488.0418 or pawsbrysoncity@yahoo.com • www.pawsbrysoncity.org.

PAWS Thrift Store • 110 Bryson Walk, Bryson City • Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday • 828.333.4267 or pawsthriftshop@yahoo.com it appeared someone tried to strangle her and throw her in the river. Against all odds, she survived thanks to Cline and a friend who helped pay for the surgery.

“She’s healthy and happy now and has no problem running and climbing on everything,” Cline said.

Witnessing this kind of abuse is nothing new — it’s been happening for years. The only difference now, Cline said, is that PAWS is putting it into the spotlight instead of shielding the public from it. Law enforcement agencies are also taking these cases more seriously.

“I’ve been encouraged lately because the last few years we’ve seen law enforcement starting to charge people for animal cruelty,” Cline said. “I don’t ever want them not to pursue charges because they think we don’t have enough

room. We have a large network, so we can find them somewhere to go.”

Cline is also hopeful her work with an ad hoc committee will be successful in getting the county to adopt an animal control ordinance. The committee has spent many months collecting public feedback throughout the county before crafting an ordinance to present to commissioners.

It’s been an issue for many years, but not one that commissioners have been interested in addressing. She knows it’s an expensive endeavor that would require a shelter facility and more manpower, but it would go a long way in decreasing the number of abused and abandoned animals in Swain County.

SHELTER NEEDS Maintaining the shelter and taking care of these animals costs PAWS about $189,000 a year. With no contributions from the county government, the shelter has to rely on private donations and proceeds from its thrift store in Bryson City.

While monetary donations are always needed to keep the shelter going, Cline knows PAWS eventually will need more space to handle the growing need in Swain County.

Until then, they will continue to hold adoption events and transport strays to other shelters in order for them to get adopted.

Even with the struggles before them, PAWS has been able to find forever homes for more than 3,000 animals and provided financial assistance for more than 11,000 spay and neuter surgeries. They will even help people with the cost of pet food if it means that person will be able to keep their pet in the home.

“We try our best to help everyone we can,” Cline said.

“My job is to work with the community to raise awareness and educate, fundraise and put out fires.”

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Resources Here is a list of pet adoption and advocacy groups — and veterinarians — in the four western counties of Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain and the Cherokee reservation.

From Puppy Kindergarten to Private Lessons

• FUR (Feline Urgent Rescue) of WNC 844.888.CATS(2287) or www.furofwnc.org.

• Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation 828.246.9050 or www.sargeanimals.org.

• Star Ranch 828.400.4940 or www.star-ranch-rescue.com.

• Haywood Spay/Neuter 828.452.1329 or www.haywoodspayneuter.org.

• Haywood County Friends of the Animal Shelter www.hcasfriends.org.

GROOMING From bathing to tooth-brushing

DOGGIE DAY CARE

HAYWOOD VETS • Animal Hospital of Waynesville 91 Depot St., Waynesville. 828.456.9755 or www.animalhosp.com.

• Canton Animal Hospital 74 Radio Hill Rd., Canton. 828.648.7800.

• Country Lane Animal Hospital 9019 Carolina Blvd., Clyde. 828.627.9100 or www.clanimalhosp.com.

• Balsam Animal Hospital 628 South Main St., Waynesville.

828.452.1868 or www.balsamvet.com.

• Haywood Animal Emergency 3248 Asheville Rd., Waynesville.

828.452.1478 or www.haywoodanimaler.com.

• Junaluska Animal Hospital 3248 Asheville Rd., Waynesville.

828.452.1478 or www.junaluskaah.com.

• Maple Tree Veterinary Hospital 1855 Russ Ave., Waynesville. 828.452.5211 or www.mapletreevet.com.

JACKSON • ARF Rescues and fosters pets in a no-kill shelter, and facilitates their spay and neuter.

1-3 p.m. Saturdays at 50 Railroad Ave., Sylva.

877.273.5262 or www.a-r-f.org.

• Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society 200 Gable Dr., Sapphire. 828.743.5752 or www.chhumanesociety.org.

• Catman2 Cat Shelter 637 Bo Cove Rd., Cullowhee. 828.293.0892 or www.catman2.org.

• Jackson County Animal Shelter 463 Airport Rd., Sylva. 828.586.6138, 828.586.1911 after hours or animal.jacksonnc.org.

JACKSON VETS • Cashiers Village Veterinary 855 U.S. 64, Cashiers. 828.743.5656 or www.facebook.com/cashiers-village-veterinary-clinic.

• Cherokee Animal Care Clinic 1100 U.S. 441, Whittier. 828.497.3704 or www.cherokeeanimalcare.com.

• Cope Creek Animal Clinic 8 Connor Rd., Sylva. 828.586.3534.

• Jackson County Veterinary 1362 E. Main St., Sylva. 828.586.8383 or www.facebook.com/jackson-county-veterinaryassociates.

TRAINING

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

HAYWOOD

• Sylva Animal Hospital 1307 Asheville Hwy., Sylva. 828.586.8587.

• Western Carolina Animal Pain Clinic and Shearer Pet Health Hospital 1054 Haywood Rd., Sylva. 828.586.3300 or www.shearerpethealth.com.

We are here when you can't be there

SWAIN • PAWS Bryson City 57 Lemons Branch Rd., Bryson City.

828.488.0418 or pawsbrysoncity@yahoo.com. www.pawsbrysoncity.org.

• PAWS Thrift Store 110 Bryson Walk, Bryson City. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 828.333.4267 or pawsthriftshop@yahoo.com

64 Main St. Clyde

(828) 620-8186

k9curriculum@outlook.com

SWAIN VETS • Bryson City Veterinary 200 Bryson Walk, Bryson City. 828.488.6018

MACON • Macon County Animal Shelter 1377 Lakeside Dr., Franklin. 828.349.2106 or www.maconnc.org/animalservices • Appalachian Animal Rescue Center 851 Lake Emory Rd., Franklin 828.524.4588 or www.appalachiananimalrescuecenter.com.

MACON VETS • Franklin Veterinary Hospital 2947 Georgia Rd., Franklin. 828.369.8080 or www.franklinvethospital.com.

• Animal House Veterinary Clinic 991 E Main St., Franklin. 828.524.9990 or www.leapoffaithvet.com.

• Noah’s Ark Companion Animal Hospital 1239 Old Murphy Rd., Franklin. 828.524.6121 or www.noahsarkvet.us.

• Highlands Cashiers Animal Clinic 2465 Cashiers Rd., Highlands828.526.5206 or www.highlands-cashiersanimalclinic.com.

• Lenzo Animal Hospital 1869 Georgia Rd., Franklin. 828.369.2635 or www.lenzoanimalhospital.tripod.com.

• Animal Wellness Hospital of Highlands 2271 Dillard Rd., Highlands. 828.526.8700 or www.awhhighlands.com.

• Susan Mast 828.963.2600.

9

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Adopt a Pet Today Donna (DSH, black and white, 11 yr old female) Clearly just one look at her beauty mark tells you how special she is! A bit off center, but definitely unique! Rescued from the shelter in desperate need of a dental check -up after dropping down to just 4.7 pounds. Sweet and calm, this little girl would make a wonderful companion because she loves being around people.For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Kate (DSH, Brown tabby, 8 yr old female) It's true - she does look a bit grumpy.

But that is only on the outside! After losing her person, she came to FUR and immediately fell in love with all of us as we did all we could to make her feel welcome.

Calm and affectionate, you will always find her nearby. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Hobo (DSH, Tux, 16 yr old male) When the person he has known his entire life recently passed away, he found himself at the shelter, confused and alone. FUR swooped in and he is now in charge of the office when he’s in it. Quickly making himself at home, he loves to explore every room, recently finding the most exciting place of all. The kitchen! He is lovable, sweet and very well behaved. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Millie (DSH, Gray with white accents, 5 yr old female) A new arrival to FUR along with her two 10-year-old brothers, she too lost her Mom to illness. But that didn't stop her from starting the process of making new friends at FUR and taking hold of life. She greets all visitors affectionately and demands her proper due. Again and again! For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Cherokee, 21-year-old mare. Light rider.

Has COPD but ok if not stalled. For more info on how to adopt visit us at www.starranch-rescue.com

Tsali, 12-year-old paint quarter horse. Had bad back legs, now better. Light rider only.

For more info on how to adopt visit us at www.star-ranch-rescue.com

Levi, small 13-year-old gelding. Survivor of a barn fire. For more info on how to adopt visit us at www.star-ranch-rescue.com

Young warm blood. 2 mares, one gelding.

All under 2-3 years old. For more info on how to adopt visit us at www.star-ranch-rescue.com

Zoey is a lovely blue-gray and white kitty, about five years old, weighing about 10 lbs.

She loves to be petted and have her ears scratched but isn't crazy about being held, so a home with older kids and adults would be best. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

Pinoy is a handsome mixed breed boy about three years old. He is a luscious chocolate brown color with white accents.

He is a great all-around dog, polite, sweet natured, friendly to all. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

Zorro is a five-year-old Miniature Poodle, neutered, a little overweight at 20-25 lbs.

He is a sweet boy, loves attention, and would love to share adventures with a new best friend. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

Smurf is a natural-born entertainer — he's funny, clever, agile and quick. And really, really cute! He is about 1-1/2 years old, and still very much a kitten at heart.

For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

SFR, ECO, GREEN

10

Adopting?

Shy, a sweet female beagle, may have gotten her name because of her lack of hunting skills, but it doesn't suit her as a family companion. She is friendly, loving, and appreciative of human attention. She is about 3 years old and is very well behaved and polite. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

Wendall is an interesting mix of bloodhound and bassett hound, giving him a unique appearance and adorable face. We love his wrinkly, squishy muzzle and huge ears! He has a great persoanlity too — laidback, easy going, but also playful and fun.

He's going to be a treasure to his lucky adopters! For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

4 Kittens By Age 6 Months!

Chloe (DLH, Black, 10 yr old female) If you are ready to liven up your home, Chloe is the one for you! She loves to talk and then talk some more. Almost as much as she loves eating! But even if you don't respond all of the time, she will still be your constant companion and loneliness will be a thing of the past. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Willow (DLH, Gray with white accents, 6 year-old female) Arriving with Sabrina, she is simply gorgeous with a loving personality to match. Curious, friendly and playful, she will always bring a smile to your face. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

Sabrina (DLH, Black, 6 yr old female) When her owner was too sick to care for her, this sweet little girl came to FUR along with her best friend Willow. This long haired black beauty is calm, friendly and would make a great companion in a quiet household. For more info on how to adopt contact us at 1-844-888-CATS or www.furofwnc.org

A FREE PUPPY CAN BE A MOM OR DAD OF

Yana was adopted from Sarge's a few years ago, and was returned at age 8 when her owner passed away. She is now a large kitty and needs to lose a little weight! She is still lovely though, with her thick jet-black fur an big golden eyes. She may need a little time to adjust to new surroundings and people, but she still has lots of love to share with her new person. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

This handsome goofball is Prince. We think he is a beauceron mix (yes, we had to Google it too). Prince has a medium-high energy level. He loves playing with toys and can entertain himself for hours. He is great with other dogs - large and small and he is even good with cats! He is 100% crate trained and hasn't had any accidents in his foster home. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

A FREE KITTEN CAN BE A MOM OR DAD WITH

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Bodie is a handsome tabby boy about 1 year old. He is just a little shy and will need some time to adjust to his new home. Once he knows you, though, he is a love bug, adores petting, and will be a wonderful best feline friend to his lucky adopters. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

6 Puppies By Age 8 Months!

Buffy is a senior female poodle. She was helped by the WuzBug Special Needs fund to have a medical evaluation, which concluded that she has an injured ligament in her hind leg causing her to limp. A generous donor sponsored her adoption fee, so she is ready to go to an adopter who will appreciate the company of this slightly eccentric old lady. For more info on how to adopt contact us at (828) 246-9050 or www.sargeanimals.org

That’s Why We’re Here!

Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Services Haywood Spay/Neuter

MEDITERRANEAN

ITALIAN CUISINE

182 Richland St. • Waynesville 828-452-1329 haywoodspayneuter.org

11

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Saving Preacher

BY HOLLY KAYS STAFF WRITER t was a chilly pre-spring day when Olivia Hickman ventured to the Waynesville Recreation Park, looking for nothing more than an hour or so of play with her 2-year-old son on the wooden jungle gym. But a dog lying on the outskirts of the area soon became the center of attention.

“My son kept saying, ‘puppy, puppy,’” recalled Hickman, who lives in Waynesville. “We were there for a while, and he (the dog) didn’t move.”

Further investigation revealed an animal so horribly skinny, so covered with mange and red, swollen skin that Hickman knew their day’s itinerary was in for a change.

She couldn’t leave without him. She and the dog soon showed up on the doorstep of Junaluska Animal Hospital.

“His condition was so severe it would keep anyone from coming near him, but not her,” wrote Lacy Austin, who works at Junaluska, in a reflection on the episode. “I even told her with all my experience I am not sure I would have tried without gloves, but she did.”

The dog, likely a pit bull mix, wasn’t aggressive. But he was sick.

“Pitiful is the only word to describe his demeanor,” Austin wrote.

His mange was at such a critical stage that he was basically hairless. His eyes were infected, his toenails beyond long. The outlines of bones poked out beneath reddened skin. He could barely walk, and even guessing his age was next to impossible — 4 or 5, maybe? The vet recommended that he be put to sleep.

Hickman thought about it. Her job doesn’t leave her a lot of disposable income, and the dog was in such pain.

But she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. She told the vet to do whatever was necessary to get the poor guy fixed up.

“He slept for the first week. He just slept and slept,” Hickman recalls. “At first we didn’t know if he was going to make it.”

But he did make it. Hickman and her mother, who’d spent years of her life working with the Humane Society, made it their business to nurse him back to health. Eventually he started eating and began to gain weight. His hair grew back and the eye infection cleared up — though his sight still isn’t the greatest and he’s prone to clench in fear when someone in the room moves too suddenly. He got a name — Preacher — and was introduced to Hickman’s other dog, a red-nosed pit bull. The two get along wonderfully.

“He’s a very playful dog,” Hickman said. “He’s come a long Preacher was a painful mess when Olivia Hickman found him, but these days way.” he’s a happy, much healthier dog. Donated photo When Austin thinks back to that day, she still wonders at the the money on that wound up going to vet bills? fact that Hickman took it upon herself to take the shell of But for Hickman, the calculation was simple. a dog that was to become Preacher under her wing. After “I couldn’t live with myself knowing I left that helpless all, how many other people had passed by him that day, animal,” she said. and how many other uses might Hickman have had for

Macon animal rescue struggling to hold on

It takes about $325,000 a year to keep the shelter going, but each year it gets harder to meet that goal.

“It’s not easy and we never seem to meet that goal. We take between $100,000 to $175,000 out of our invested money each year, and that’s going quick,” he said. “We don’t want to close, but at some point we’ll have to make a decision if we can’t get the donations we need.”

Appalachian Animal Rescue, which has been around since 1962, takes in and adopts out about 600 animals a year and provides spay and neuter services for more than 1,000 animals. The no-kill shelter works closely with Macon County Animal Control to find homes for stray cats and dogs and also transports adoptable pets to other states up North.

Angela Walker (middle) and her children Sam and Sara, meet Dante, a The small shelter can hold about 85 anishelter dog they adopted for Angela’s mother at Appalachian Animal mals at a time, and Ortiz said the shelter is Rescue in Franklin. Jessi Stone photo always at capacity. The county’s shelter definitely helps lessen the burden, but the need is love people.” still overwhelming.

Todd Ortiz, director of Appalachian Animal Rescue, wishes “Even with all the spay and neutering we do, it still doesn’t more people realized the benefits of adopting a shelter animal. seem to affect how many strays we end up getting in here,” he While he might be a little biased after working at the shelter said. “If we didn’t have animal services to help out, we would for 18 years, he said shelter animals make the best pets. have to turn people away.”

“We do get some purebred animals at the shelter, but the Ortiz encourages people to help out in any way they can mixed breeds tend to be healthier and they’re just so appreciawhether it’s adopting, volunteering, donating food and supplies tive to find a home,” he said. or making a monetary donation to support their mission.

If more people would adopt from the shelter or make donaFor more information, visit www.appalachiananimalrescuetions, Ortiz said, the shelter might be in better financial shape. center.com.

I

BY J ESSI STONE N EWS E DITOR

12

Appalachian Animal Rescue was bustling with activity Monday morning. Staff members were getting the shelter back in order following an adoption event and several families searched for a furry companion to take home.

The Walker family was waiting in the lobby for Dante — a big, shaggy dog they adopted for a family member.

“We’re getting him for my mom — she had to put her dog down two months ago and is ready for a new companion,” Angela Walker said.

The Walkers are very involved with the shelter through adopting, donating and fundraising efforts. Angela’s children, Sam and Sara Walker, help out at the shelter’s bake sale fundraisers every year. Volunteers say Sam’s homemade lemonade is the best.

“We love our animals, and it’s nice to be able to give back to the shelter for all they do for us,” Angela said.

Meanwhile, Dan and Mary Teslow played outside with Lady — a black lab mix — before deciding whether to take her home with them. With two elderly dogs and one puppy at home already, Mary said the pup needs an active playmate like Lady.

The couple has adopted many animals from the shelter over the years and wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m an adopted person, so I think adoption is a fabulous thing to do,” Mary said.

“Too many pure breeds are bred only for looks but not personality,” Dan said. “Shelter dogs have personality and they

A labor of love

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER Jamie Powell has a special talent. She can not only tell the 100 cats living at FUR’s feline sanctuary apart, but can even remember their names — despite the revolving door of cats being continually rescued and adopted out.

“They are our babies. They are like our children. They all have their own unique personalities,” said Powell, a cofounder of FUR of WNC, a cat rescue group in Haywood County. “They are all unique and have their own stories.”

True to its tagline Guardians of Displace Felines, FUR serves as an orphanage for cats and kittens with nowhere else to turn. Cats find their way to FUR’s sanctuary in a variety of ways.

Some are rescued from the county animal shelter, where cats face a race against the clock to find a loving owner before the looming threat of euthanasia comes calling.

The sanctuary gives shelter cats a new lease on life, buying them more time in an environment that’s more conducive to adoption.

“The shelter is not a good environment for a cat. A perfectly adoptable cat could be deemed feral at the shelter because it is such a crazy place,” Powell said.

Scared out of its wits, even the most loving and friendly cat won’t show it amid the incessant barking and cramped cages.

“At the Sanctuary, it is homelike. It is cozy. There’s no barking dogs. It’s a refuge,” Powell said.

But many of the cats at the sanctuary have bypassed the shelter altogether and are brought to FUR by their original owners who can no longer care for them.

“There are lot of reasons why cats are displaced,” Powell said. It could be a couple getting a divorce, someone who’s lost their job and can no longer afford a pet, or a renter who can’t have pets where they live anymore.

“We have several cats right now where someone has called and said, ‘Mom is going into a nursing home’ or ‘Mom died and she had three cats and we don’t know what to do with them,’” Powell said.

Yet others are rescued from the wild.

While feral cats who have lived in the wild their whole life will never be a candidate for adoption, their kittens are easily socialized if found early enough.

When a feral cat is discovered with a litter of kittens, the entire family is

brought to the Sanctuary to live in an enclosure until the kittens are weaned.

“Then we fix the mother and let her go back to her colony and we raise the kittens here,” Powell said.

There are an estimated 6,000 freeroaming cats in Haywood County, dramatically less than the 10,000 there were a decade or so ago. The reduction is largely due to the Herculean efforts of volunteer trap-spay-release programs. A legion of volunteer caretakers who tend colonies of feral cats across the county remain vigilant for pregnant mothers. Other times, calls are referred to FUR by vets, or peo-

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

Connecting displaced cats with FUR-ever families

Jamie Powell cuddles Charlie, rescued from a feral cat colony, now living at the FUR sanctuary in Haywood County for cats. He has been fixed and micro-chipped and is now seeking a permanent, loving home.

Donated photo

Proudly serving Haywood County for 30 years and counting

ple wondering what to do about the cat that just gave birth under their porch.

FUR has a soft spot for senior cats, whose calmer nature makes them excellent companions but often can’t compete with the cute factor of kittens without an advocate like FUR to find them a home.

“We are for the underdog so to speak,” Powell said.

FUR of WNC — which stands for Feline Urgent Rescue — was founded in 2012 by Powell and two fellow cat lovers.

While the county already had rescue groups focused on dogs, there was a gap when it came to cats.

FUR is an all-volunteer undertaking, and is in desperate need of volunteers to help care for the cats at the Sanctuary.

“There’s not enough of us,” Powell said.

FUR is also in constant fundraising mode to provide the necessary medical care, food, overhead and upkeep of the Sanctuary property.

To keep up with daily diary posts from the cats at the Sanctuary, check out FUR’s Facebook page, or visit furofwnc.org.

Dr. Kern

attended Tulane University and transferred to University of Georgia, completing his studies in Veterinary Medicine in 1980.

Dr. Daniel Moore will be

joining our practice June 1st. He graduated from UNCA with high honors in Chemistry and completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Did you know that Dr. Kern provides: Dentistry - Dermatology, Emergency & Geriatric Care As well as Microchipping, Spay/Neutering, Surgical Services & Vaccinations?

We are proud to announce new extended hours beginning June 1st.

Mon., Wed., - Fri. 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Tuesday 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m.-Noon

1628 Main St., Waynesville (828) 452-1868

13 342-65

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

For the love of the show

Nearly 600 dogs spanning 109 different breeds participated in the Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association show in Haywood County last weekend. Becky Johnson photo

Western Carolina Dog Fanciers’ annual gatherings attract all shapes and sizes

S

behind the owner’s ear.

But some breeds necessitate their own distinct paraphernalia. Owners of Saint Bernards were quick on the draw with slobber rags kept at the ready in their back pocket. A proud couple who owned a boxer wheeled a cooler of iced-down chamois cloths behind them all day, giving their dog a wipe-down to bring out his coat’s luster each time he stepped in the ring. And a pampered longhaired Skye Terrier spent the day lounging on its own rolling throne, carpeted in red velvet no less, with a pile of ribbons beside it.

Fiona Norton from Haywood County relishes the biannual shows of the Western Carolina Dog Fanciers as a chance to mingle with other Irish Wolfhound owners,

F

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER everal hundred purebred dogs converged at the Haywood County Fairgrounds last weekend to walk the proverbial red carpet in the Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association spring trials.

While it’s no Westminster, the annual dog show pulls in big league breeders competing alongside dedicated hobbyists. A sanctioned event, the show is an early stepping stone to rack up coveted points on the American Kennel Club dog show circuit.

Competitors clearly came with their game on, or in some cases, their portable fans on, aimed to keep their dogs cool as they waited their turn to run the mats.

Some dog show equipment is universal, like a lapel pocket stuffed with treats or a grooming comb tucked

who collectively bask in the glory of owning a dog that’s bigger than they are.

“We have a connection and all know each other. It happens with all the breeds. There is a real social network,” Norton said.

It’s especially fun to track down other owners who got their dog from the same breeder and compare notes. The dogs seems to like the interaction as much as their owners.

“It is good for their socialization to meet other dogs and other people and keep their mind going,” Norton said.

No matter how many shows she attends, Norton never loses a sense of awe at the incredible diversity of breeds.

“It is so magnificent,” Norton said.

And each breed has its fans.

“Some people just like having a Scottish Terrier or a Dalmatian. Some people like hunting dogs or herding dogs,” Norton said.

For Norton, the first generation daughter of Irish immigrants, owning an Irish Wolfhound is a connection to her own heritage. And she couldn’t imagine life without him.

Feline Urgent Rescue of WNC

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Facebook.com/FURofWNC info@furofwnc.org • 1-844-888-CATS PO Box 1352, Waynesville, NC 28786

$1 million pledged for new Haywood facility

“I wouldn’t be without a dog,” Norton said.

When it comes to the Dog Fancier’s Association, which breed you fancy is in the eye of the beholder.

Nancy Davis, also a dog owner in Haywood County, is eternally enamored with her four Shetland sheep dogs “I like Shelties because they are incredibly intelligent, very trainable, and I like the size,” Davis said. “They are like potato chips — you can have more than one.”

The Western Carolina Dog Fancier’s Association is not just about sharing a common love of dogs. The group’s primary goal is to promote responsible dog ownership. The dog shows, which cater to spectators from the general public, do just that.

While 600 dogs under one roof may sound like mayhem, these well-trained canines are obedient and loyal companions.

“It hopefully allows the public to see what a well-trained pet acts like,” said Davis, who spent years running a boarding kennel and dog obedience school.

“Dogs who jump on you and chew up the furniture and knock the food bowl out of your hand end up getting stuck in the backyard and they aren’t family members. They are just there. Basic discipline allows the animal to exist in a household as a family member.”

A new era The Haywood County Animal Shelter has undergone a philosophical transformation over the past decade from a place where unwanted pets are warehoused while waiting to be put down into an adoption-center mentality.

Great strides have also been made thanks in large part to the effort of animal rescue groups like Sarge’s and FUR that aggressively market dogs and cats for adoption, along with Haywood Spay and Neuter that helps reduce unwanted litters and strays in the first place. Here’s a look at Haywood animal shelter euthanasia rates last year compared to a decade ago.

• 2004: 2,500 dogs and cats were euthanized, accounting for 70 percent of the 3,700 animals that came through the shelter.

• 2015: 264 dogs and cats were euthanized, only 13 percent of the 2,000 animals that came through the shelter. Of those euthanized, 75 were at the owner’s request.

that,” said Doyle Teague, director of Haywood County Animal Services.

The only way to visit with a dog is inside their small concrete and chain-link cage, with dogs on either side yapping like crazy. Or for a cat, to crouch down on the floor of the cat room lined with cages, hoping to entice the scared feline from its corner.

The first homework Davis gives dog owners in her obedience classes is to research their dog’s breeds. It can explain everything about their natural tendencies, like a beagle who can’t let go of a scent, a Shetland sheepdog who will bark warnings when a moth flies by, or a terrier who will dig to China if given the chance.

“I am a little bit of a purist. I have owned mixed breed dogs and loved them dearly, but for most of the folks involved in pure breeds, they appreciate the work that has gone into creating that breed,” Davis said.

Even the exotic way people groom poodles today dates back to their breeding as water retrievers, shaven clean to aid swimming, except for tufts of fur left at their hips, ankles and shoulders to keep their joints warm, Davis explained.

Davis notes that no matter their niche, all dogs were genetically bred to work with people in some form or fashion, and that makes essentially any dog trainable.

Along with hosting two dog shows a year at the Haywood County Fairgrounds — which incidentally is an economic boon to the area — the Western Carolina Dog Fanciers Association also supports canine causes. Last year, the group raised money to buy bulletproof vests for two K9s with Haywood County law enforcement agencies, and to equip volunteer fire departments with pet oxygen masks.

Thanks to separate entrance and reception areas for pet adoptions, those looking for a pet will no longer be forced into the same small foyer as those looking for a lost pet or dealing with the emotional trauma of surrendering a pet.

More than 40 percent of the animals brought to the shelter last year were “For folks who are voluntary looking for a pet to adopt, surrenders.

“One of it is going to be a more the number one reasons friendly place to come.” is their land— Doyle Teague, director of lord won’t Haywood County Animal Services let them keep the animal, and a lot of times they are very upset,” Teague said.

A separate receiving area for animals will allow staff to talk with the owner and learn about the pet being dropped off, Teague said.

The price tag of the new animal shelter, to be located near Jones Cove Road in Clyde, is $3.5 million. The nonprofit Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter hope to raise $1 million toward the cost, helping realize the vision for a new state-of-the-art animal shelter.

“If people looking to adopt a pet can come into a facility that is nice and inviting, in the end we save more animals that way,” League said.

To get involved, visit www.hcasfriends.org.

CONNECTING PETS & PEOPLE 2016

BY B ECKY JOHNSON STAFF WRITER In a perfect world, an animal shelter is just a temporary stopover for pets in search of a new owner.

But too often, it’s a purgatory they never escape from.

The Friends of the Haywood County Animal Shelter hopes to improve the odds that pets coming into the shelter will connect with a new owner by launching a $1 million fundraising campaign to help build a new state-ofthe-art animal shelter serving Haywood County.

“We want to provide an environment that gives them the best chance of finding another home, and taking care of them while they are there,” said Sarah Jane League, chair of the Friends of the Animal Shelter group.

The current animal shelter, which dates to the 1980s, is run-down, outdated, noisy and overcrowded.

“The conditions are rather terrible,” League said.

Pets that end up in the shelter are often scared, stressed and even frantic, making them seem less adoptable. The conditions aren’t pleasant for the public either.

“It is so heart-wrenching and unpleasant for them to go in there,” League said. “When one person comes back and a dog starts barking it becomes an uncomfortable situation both for the dogs and the humans.”

The new animal shelter will be quieter, more spacious and less intimidating for people walking in off the street.

“For folks who are looking for a pet to adopt, it is going to be a more friendly place to come. We will actually have meet and greet areas. Right now we don’t have

“I like to do pet tattoos because it’s a personal tattoo — each one is different. Trying to catch an animal’s spirit or personality is a bigger challenge for me since they don't have the same expressions as people.”

— JOHNNY LANCE

292 N. Haywood St. • Waynesville (828) 452-2133 • ForbiddenColorTattoo.com

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