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Show a: i + adei Tet 3 ye i By & we : ag FEBRUARY WASATCH COUNTY COURIER 14, 2001 A9 si ee & os Seis Ss i ae 3 se cs aes - oD 3 S| a Sr See oe as ERE se SNS ae aS SS paecenerstotes a & x ee eos a oS . : a ee sehen ae Bo. as Sos = — e Stieeenee ce ~~ neni se Heber Becoming ‘Friends of Animals” Summit Co. organization helps shelter adopt dogs and cats DEREK JENSEN Wasatch Back’s only animal. MANAGING rescue outfit, has always wanted to have a presence ee EDITOR ith a ramshackle \ metal room ing as Heber the lone Valley considered serv- refuge, ‘was long a bleak place _ for stray animals. A large population of “ferel” or wild cats as well as random mutts were rou- in the Heber Valley. Lack of money or organization Heber and a shortage in of foster homes created the obstacle. “We’d been trying for years,” she said. Hagen even heard stories about a local who took strays to — Days Market on the weekends to try to adopt them on his own. really, really need volunteers to continue to make this hap- pen,” Hagen warned. Meanwhile, Heber’s shelter (located at 635 West Airport Road), is running -smoothly. With 14 dog kennels and 12 cat cages, a slew of wild animals could be housed there at any time. Fortunately, that’s rare. “With Friends’ influence any- diseases. For those cases a new cremation unit has been installed. But Gailey’s goal is to. euthanize as-little as possible. A fundraiser recently launched by the shelter, will | eventually provide 14 more kennels. Currently, only - $600 out of the $9,000 nec- © essary has been raised. “With those kennels we But with the addition last _ April of Heber’s new shelter - tinely put down due to lack of facilities. “We heard horror stories,” said Michelle Hagen, president of Friends of Animals. “They were out back shooting puppies and what not.” _ The fate was no different “Everybody in- thanks to her non-profit Summit County organiza- tion. Since last fall, Friends of Animals has worked closely with the modernized Heber. Valley Animal Services to not only house stray pets but find families to adopt them. Since September, when the organization first reached into Wasatch, 40 animals have been rescued and — placed in foster homes. “It’s made a big help,” said shel- ter director Jon Gailey. “Whenever a shelter’s killing less animals it’s less stress.” Hagen Animals, said Friends which is of the PHOTO BY DEREK JENSEN. Heber animal shelter director Jon _ Gailey waits for incoming strays. by the airport, the means for successful adoption is suddenly here. “There’s some real effort,” Hagen noted, applauding Y cats. Heber knows what happens if you bring in cats there,” Hagen offered, ominously. “It’s common knowledge.” But things have changed Gailey specifically for his “will” to Te for help fix the problem. “It’s become a really nice work- SSPHOTO BY DEREK JENSEN Adopt me! One of the shelter’ s eligible pooches. ing relationship.” Last year alone, Friends of Animals placed 485 animals with people across the state. The group, funded strictly from donations, also conducted two free neutering clinics in Wasatch County, where 200 animals were treated. They plan to offer it again this year. “We Gas Wa ich 2001 PRICES FOR REGULAR UNLEADED OBSERVED 02/05/01 Watch this space for weekly updates. our adoption percentage is up-to: 75 percent,” ge, 7 beamed. Not all animals can be adopted, however. Gailey and two others who run the shelter, evaluate all new_ - comers to determine if they are biters or suffering from bolic we'll be able to hold every until adoptable animal they’re — adopted,” Gailey said. In the meantime, Hagen said her fellow animal-lover will be patient. “If he is not full, he will keep them indefinitely.” Wasatch County ee Chevron 71 1/Amoco 400 N. Main, Heber : 219 N - Main FEBRUARY 5 FEBRUARY 121 $4419 | Heber 100 S. Main, Heber | 1/Amoco eee S. Main, Heber Hub/ Sinclair T rimart/Chevron susagdle County pele Sinclair Silver Cheek Jcct, PC: Salt Lake County Chevron Flying 7 2100 5. 2300 £., SUC 12300 S. Minuteman, SLC $1.289 Utah County 3 Walker/ Chevron Trimart/Texaco 466 E. E. ‘State, ‘Pleasant Grove 815 W. 1200S. Orem 2 $1.229 $1.319 OQ: TT LEV iTS is Ia BORO SAMOS: = HS LORRDROR, PARRA TC oes |