By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
It began many years ago from a tragedy when Barbara Bonahoom found several frozen animals at what was known as the animal shelter at that time, a barn like structure with no heat and frozen water, not far from the current location on Hereford Drive between the Vigil Maldonado Detention Center and the Raton Waste Water Treatment plant.
Bonahoom took it upon herself to basically shame the city over the treatment of the animals at the shelter, going to the Raton Range and starting the movement that has now grown into a huge success story in Raton. Bonahoom noted that this year the shelter has become a no kill facility. The shelter used to see over 400 animals a year and they would euthanize over half those. With education and adoptions through a network of people and organizations that Bonahoom has created that number steadily dropped and over the last three years they have not had to put down a single animal, a fact that Bonahoom is very proud of. She added many of the dogs that are not claimed are adopted out all over the country.
The shelter began as a small facility with only 10 kennels or runs in south Raton. It has grown over the years as money has been raised and volunteers have donated time and work to build more kennels and shelters. At present the facility can house about 61 animals. Bonahoom noted that they can house animals from tragedies like the track fire if people are evacuated and need a place to keep a family pet. They have several duplexes in the back where a family of dogs can reside for a short time.
She went on to say how much she has appreciated the community for its support and generosity over the years noting that none of the expansion would have been possible without the donations. Volunteers come out and will walk the dogs as Tom Worbetz does at least once a week. He noted he felt guilty if he didn’t make it out regularly. That is another way the shelter manages its success with volunteers coming out to help.
Donations to the shelter have come from many including the Marguerita Doe Foundation who donated $25,000, Bonahoom noted that got them started. Other donations include memorial contributions including the George Macaroon Family Foundation, the Sloat Prince Foundation and the Patricia Hoban Estate. Others include the Elks and other civic organizations in Raton.
