“Here’s a summary of what went on with Raton Humane Society and the City Shelter workers yesterday! WE CANNOT THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS AND THIS COMMUNITY ENOUGH. EVERYONE ROCKED IT.
This rescue transport originated in Houston traveling with 37 dogs from puppies to large dogs. They were going to Aspen, then to Portland, and Washington state. They were on I-25 between exit 450 and 451 at 5:20 am when a deer jumped out in front of them. The Raton PD dispatch called our director at 8 am. At first, she thought, ‘we can’t handle 37 dogs’, then realized we could set up just like we did in 2011 for the Track Fire. Everything just came together, volunteers were fantastic. Barb had contacted a rescue partner in Denver and he was willing to come down to deliver the Aspen dogs, but when he spoke to the transport driver they had already spoken to Julie Jury who runs the Hope for Paws Colorado. She came down in a much larger van, probably had 50 stainless steel kennels and central air. She got here at about 1 pm. When Barb and volunteers transported to the shelter, the dogs had been packed/stacked in that van for some time. She realized they would now be traveling comfortably and with good air conditioning into Colorado. The original drivers will take this large van all the way, are picking up some dogs to deliver somewhere in Texas then come back for their van, which is being repaired at Phil Long Ford. After the dogs were loaded back up, volunteers continued to clean up after them (they had been placed in our outdoor kennels, but of course ‘dirtied’ them – with 37 dogs!) and by about 4:30, they locked up the Shelter after a VERY crazy day. In the meantime, our REGULAR residents had to be cared for, so the city kennel worker (drum roll….SOON TO BE FULL-TIME ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER!!) handled those duties along with her helping with the transport dogs. We had a good dozen volunteers (from age 12 on up!) and actually turned folks away as there were enough people to really make the job manageable. Just such an amazing effort. No jealousy, no infighting, just taking the bull by the horns (or should we say, taking the poop laden puppies by the paws!) and getting the job done. Our hats are off to all who helped or offered to help. And to Phil Long Ford for getting the van back in shape to make another run on another day…..”
Raton Humane Society has had a huge glitch that could not be worked out with Facebook for their old page. If you are missing them on Facebook please reconnect with them through the following link to their group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/954623654998853/ It is imperative to get this group back in action like the old page so that the mission of reuniting lost pets with their owners and finding forever homes for those needing homes continues in our community. We pride ourselves in maintaining a healthy environment in the shelter but shelter life should be the shortest live possible for all fur babies seeking homes. Thank you to our community and volunteers for keeping Raton streets free of homeless pets and assisting us on our mission of making sure all animals have a voice against cruelty, abuse, and homelessness.
