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Suki is amid the cats socializing room, after having been rescued from a domestic violence situation, and she would benefit from a good home. PHOTO BY DAVID COOK

A lot of activity took place on Saturday, May 13 at Cheatham County Animal Control, as it was the final weekend of the first half of Mays Empty the Shelters program sponsored by the Kathy Bisselle Pet Foundation.

Those arriving on that set aside day were treated to an open house which included tours of the center, as well as provided food and drink. Also, five cats and three dogs were adopted during the event, as explained by Chonta Dillingham, the facilitys Intake and Adoption Coordinator. In fact, all adoption fees had been reduced for that sponsored occasion and was even completely waived on the celebrating weekend.

Yet as pointed out by adoption event coordinator Melodie Thomas, five dogs, five puppies, six cats and six kittens had found homes by the occasions last day, with hopes of more occurring before it was over.

Reducing fees is something that the center has done before, as Thomas explained. If a dog has been at the shelter for more than a month, theyll lower those required costs for the sake of finding it a home. Then, she said, efforts are made to publicize available animals on their part on Instagram, Facebook and even the personal pages of their volunteers.

However, Thomas emphasized their efforts to avoid having an animal acquired completely free. Thomas said they want those owners to know the importance of spending money for their pets and the need to provide them with vaccinations, veterinary care and needed medicines.

Thomas went on to point out Cheathams robust volunteer program, in which people come out to walk the dogs, as well as engage in dog-with-dog socializing play groups. Then she said, volunteers come in to love on and socialize their cats, with kittens even taken to homes by fosters, giving them time outside the shelter environment. She said these very activities are changes that occurred in the last few years and reflect improvements that are implemented annually.

Concerning improvements, Director Brittany Sellers explained that new kennels will likely arrive in about a month. She said they have been made possible through the nonprofit Saving Cheatham Animals Mission Possible (SCAMP), whose president coordinated with Cheatham County Mayor Kerry McCarver and herself to arrange its needed funding. For this reality, Sellers complimented the mayor and said, Were really lucky to have our nonprofit.

Such assistance is a clear benefit, especially with 1,200 animals passing through their doors last year. Sellers said those numbers were virtually equal, cats vs. dogs. Of that total only 11 had to be euthanized, creating about a 98 percent save rate. Sellers said that amount is low enough to keep Cheatham Animal Control designated as a no-kill shelter.

Weve worked really hard for those numbers, Sellers said. With a staff of 10 we do a lot.

Sellers said with supportive staff and looking toward an improving future, she couldnt help but say good things are happening on behalf of precious animals.

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Cheatham Animal Control holds successful adoption event - Main Street Media of Tennessee