A renewed emphasis on vaccinations, spaying and neutering and pet adoptions at the Emporia Animal Shelter has the full support of Kansas State’s animal shelter medicine program.
Personnel changes at the shelter last year signaled a change in approach to make those efforts more readily available and more public. Humane Society of the Flint Hills Director Stephanie Achille says the overall goal is to reduce the length of stay and improve care for the pets at the shelter.
Last week, K-State program administrators came to Emporia for a week of consulting, which concluded with a status report meeting at the Trusler Business Center on Friday. Program Director Brad Crauer says he’s impressed with the goals and objectives he sees locally.
To get from here to there, the shelter has several adjustments coming — one of which is to vaccinate any and all animals coming in the doors. K-State is also suggesting every pet at the Animal Shelter get spayed and neutered. Mayor Becky Smith, who’s on the Humane Society’s Board of Directors, says K-State was good to work with.
Cat and Customer Service Coordinator Bailey Estes is excited about another step returning — transfers — and she’s glad the Animal Shelter’s mission was essentially validated last week.
Pet handler Bobbi Kelley says last week was a great learning experience for shelter staffers and volunteers.
Dog handler Amy Cantrall is hoping the community steps up and helps out.
Having K-State’s veterinary program back on board is welcome news for Achille.
Besides the overall consulting and help with spaying and neutering pets, the K-State program offers animal shelters medical and enrichment options as well care for special needs. It also helps shelters network with other facilities for transfers, events and fundraising. K-State representatives will be in Emporia monthly to help with spaying and neutering, special animal needs, rabies shots and microchipping.
