Madras animal shelter makes final push for funds

Dogs at Three Rivers Humane Society in Madras have been staying in less-than-ideal conditions — outdoor cages, with only tarps to protect them from extreme weather.

“Due to the negative temperatures, and even in the summer we don’t have much of a way to cool (the animals) down, except for using misters and that kind of stuff,” shelter Director Steve Drynan said Wednesday. “The tarps, they just don’t hold in heat, and (the animals) need to be in a temperature-controlled environment.”

He said the shelter has been able to find foster homes for the animals when the weather is too extreme, but an addition is in the works, so soon this won’t be necessary.

“The new building will house 41 indoor kennels, offices and a new break room for the employees.And it will also house Russell’s Place, in honor of (NewsChannel 21’s) Russell Bird,” Drynan said.

More than $50,000 has been raised in Russell’s name. Drynan said the facility now has more than $330,000 raised and will start constructing the new building soon. Now they’re making one final push for funds. It will cost $90,000 to buy and install the indoor kennels. A generous donor is helping.

“We actually have a donor who has given us a challenge. $45,000 — if we can raise that (amount) within the 12 months of this year, he will double that,” Drynan said. Another donor is offering to match up to $10,000.

To donate and find out more about the shelter, go to https://threerivershs.org/raise-the-roof-campaign/