For the week of  September 5 - 11, 2001

Animal Shelter helps; now it needs help

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No other institution in the Wood River Valley brings out so much of the goodness in its residents as the Animal Shelter, where stray and abandoned dogs find safe refuge until adopted or owners retrieve them.

The shelter’s ability to attract volunteer workers and donations lies in the special loving attitude of the Valley toward dogs as companions.

But the shelter can’t exist alone on the loyalty of its friends and supporters. It needs funding ¾ especially since it is a no-kill institution that refuses no animals and cares for them.

Several sources of added and increased revenue are under study, and area communities are discussing new contracts with the shelter.

One goal should be the program recommended by Blaine County Animal Control Officer Kevin McMullen, who estimates that only 20 percent of the estimated 10,000 dogs in the area are licensed.

If he were given authority to issue citations, much like parking tickets, to owners of unlicensed dogs, revenues from penalties would increase funds for the shelter and owners would be more dutiful in obtaining licenses, another revenue source.

The Animal Shelter has established itself as an indispensable institution in the Wood River Valley. Shelter volunteers and donors to various fund-raising events are shouldering a major share of the responsibility for keeping it solvent.

Now the Valley’s communities have their chance to help by adopting a more stringent enforcement program that plugs the licensing loopholes that allows thousands of dog owners to avoid their responsibilities.

The Idaho Mountain Express is distributed free to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area community. Subscribers to the Idaho Mountain Express will read these stories and others in this week's issue.