We have a great organization in Yukon that, since starting in 1993, has rescued animals across the metro and found loving “forever” homes for 55,000 dogs and cats.
This group, Pets & People Humane Society, is facing a challenge as construction proceeds rapidly on a new City of Yukon animal shelter on Inla.
You see, Pets & People and City of Yukon Animal Control have shared space inside the current shelter for decades.
At times, issues have arisen because of over-population at the shelter and that has caused a somewhat strained relationship.
Pets & People is a “no-kill” animal welfare group, which means they rescue dogs and cats from other communities before they are euthanized. People who don’t love animals may have difficulty understanding why.
It appears the new City of Yukon animal shelter will be finished weeks earlier than the projected Jan. 1 completion. Pets & People will have a lot less space reserved in the new shelter for its animals awaiting adoption, so its board has hired an architect/engineer to design a separate rescue center of its own.
After the new Yukon animal shelter opens, the project contractor will demolish the existing shelter.
Pets & People is up to the challenge. Its board has implemented new policies to reduce population as the transition draws closer.
As Pets & People works feverishly to decrease numbers, a free adoption event is being planned for Saturday, July 13 at the dog park directly west of the animal shelter, 701 Inla.
You will be able to take home a great dog who has been at the shelter six months or more – with no adoption fee. Just please consider giving to Pets & People’s new rescue center building fund.
Preliminary plans have been drawn up for the new Pets & People rescue facility, which will be built west of the city’s shelter on adjacent property the organization owns and uses for its dog park.
But the site work and construction will cost money, likely more than $500,000. You will hear soon about a capital campaign that will help fund this much-needed project.
This is an ambitious venture, and the Pets & People board led by President Deena Smith and Vice President Amy Young are committed to seeing that their new building is ready to occupy in February 2020.
Yukon city officials have been working closely with Pets & People leadership in recent months. It is encouraging to see the improved relationship between the city and the animal humane society.
Communication is key, and the cooperation of the city council and other city leaders is so critical right now.
Things are certainly looking up for Pets & People. The humane society has many great friends and financial supporters, and many of you have adopted and/or fostered animals from them over the years.
My first animal, a Siamese mix named Whiskers, was adopted from Pets & People and presented to me as a Christmas present in December 2002.
So many of you love animals and realize why the many great volunteers and employees of Pets & People want to rescue as many as they can.
That is why the current need to significantly reduce population at the shelter is such a major undertaking for Pets & People’s board and workers.
It could mean some tough decisions on animals that deserve to find immediate placement in either foster or permanent homes. There are several dogs that, through no fault of their own, have been at the shelter awhile – some even more than a year.
I hope you will consider contributing to Pets & People in its upcoming rescue center capital campaign. If you have room at your house for a new furry friend, then mark your calendars for the big July 13 adoption event. It will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring drawings, food trucks and family fun activities. Read more in an upcoming article in your Yukon Progress.
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Drivers who travel a couple of Yukon’s busiest streets were doing cartwheels after the city council approved a contract to restripe the road surfaces.
The striping, which will cost $50,549.70, was approved for Cornwell from Main Street to N.W. 10th (including all intersections) and Vandament from Ranchwood to Cornwell.
So you will no longer have any excuse for not traveling in the correct lane of traffic!
The new road striping is welcomed for those of us Yukon residents who travel along these busy stretches of Cornwell and Vandament.
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Yukon Chamber of Commerce membership now stands at 478. It was over 490 at the end of last year but dropped after some members didn’t renew. Who will be the 500th member?
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Realtor and former city council member Genie Vinson is enlisting supporters for the Yukon Fire Fighters Golf Tournament.
The annual benefit will be Friday, June 21 at Winter Creek in Blanchard. It costs $340 for a team of four and $85 for an individual golfer.
Hole sponsors are needed. It costs $100. Let Genie know if you want to help by calling her at 550-7433.
If you want to play to support Yukon’s brave firefighters, call Jeremy Goodrich at 760-1795, Brent Weaver at 317-0560 or Brandon Stephens at 740-4030.
