A Partnership for Pets

The Coosa County Animal Shelter partnered with the Artists Association of Central Alabama to host an art auction for the shelter’s grand opening late last month. Along with the opportunity to give back to the shelter through bids on the 30-plus art pieces, attendees toured the facility, donated supplies and met staff and volunteers.

The partnership came to be when Janet Gogan joined the staff as the foster coordinator. Gogan, who serves as the AACA vice president, came up with the idea to bring the two organizations together for mutual support. All the artists who contributed pieces for the auction are local, Gogan said.

“Probably 90 percent of the artists are from the AACA club; and then, we had another artist who is actually my cousin. She used to teach art at the elementary school in Alexander City. She was happy to donate some pieces. A couple of friends have also donated some works. Most came from the association. There’s probably about five or six that are professional artists. One guy, he does it for a living. He’s a graphic artist, and he’s been with us for about two years now,” Gogan explained.

The association has more than 20 members and meets in Alexander City on the fourth Wednesday of every month. When it comes to partnerships between the organization and other entities, Gogan said, they are conscious of what it could mean for everyone involved.

“Whenever we see something is a good fit for us, we like to create those partnerships,” she said.

The art pieces up for bid ranged in style and material, and all the pieces were created and prepared by the artists. The pieces lined tables and were propped against the wall in the kitchen. Cakes were also available for bid. Some of the bidding started as low as $5. The winners were announced nearing the end of the opening, and all the money raised through the art auction was donated directly to the shelter.

Funds for Furry Friends

The day of the ribbon cutting proved to be a special occasion throughout Coosa County. Several members of the community came out to support the shelter and enjoy chili as the renovations and construction came to a close.

A handful of the artists, volunteers and community residents came out for the event. Many residents and volunteers helped with painting and other renovation projects at the building, which had sat abandoned for many years. Though a majority of the donations made to the shelter included bags of pet food and cat litter, kennels and crates also were provided by residents who remained anonymous.

The shelter received donations and support from the surrounding communities, as well as area businesses. Tractor Supply, Piggly Wiggly and other businesses donated materials to ensure the success of the shelter.

As the grand opening of the shelter started outside, one of the directors, Dennis Hill, offered his thanks to those who helped get the shelter up and running. According to Hill, along with the employees and volunteers, the shelter has arranged for animal control officers to be of service. With one call, the officers can pick up strays and bring them to the shelter for care.

Also on the board of directors for the shelter is Dr. Chad Baxley, who is a veterinarian based in Sylacauga. Baxley will provide care for the animals regularly.

With a lack of a shelter within Coosa County, it was a vital addition to the area. Following the grand opening on Jan. 28, the shelter opened its doors and welcomed in furry friends two days later.

To learn more about volunteering and/or foster opportunities, please visit the Coosa County Animal Shelter Facebook page.

As February finds us up on our feet, marching toward spring, we are reminded to pay special attention to healthcare needs, so we can continue to appreciate special times with family and friends. It often is easy to dismiss a wound that does not heal, but chronic wounds carry unrealized risks that could threaten those important times with loved ones. These include arterial, diabetic and pressure ulcers, as well as traumatic wounds, spider bits, dog bites, surgical wounds and burns.

Timely detection and treatment of any wound could help prevent severe complications, said Dr. Regina Phillips, medical director at Russell Medical’s