Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress were excited to issue a proclamation in honor of Adopt a Shelter Pet Day during their weekly business meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, celebrated on April 30 each year was created to raise awareness for the millions of animals waiting for their forever homes in shelters across the United States. The proclamation also applauds the incredible work that our local pet shelters, animal rescue organizations and rehabilitation centers do to rehome and care for homeless, abandoned, abused and rescued animals. A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.
While the Commissioners are grateful for the work done by all animal shelter workers and volunteers who help to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of animals every year, they presented Adopt a Shelter Pet Day proclamation certificates to Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center - Megan Gram, Executive Director, along with her staff and volunteers; Strawberry Mountain Mustangs Rehabilitation Center - Darla Clark, Founder and the Reedsport K9 Shelter - Shelter Volunteer Val Fox. Commissioners also had the chance to welcome extra special guests, Thanos, Aspen, Sam and Marley, who are well-loved rescued dogs living with their forever families here in Douglas County.
Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the direct care of homeless, abandoned or neglected animals in Douglas County. They are located at 450 Old Del Rio Road in Roseburg. Beyond the basics, each animal receives compassionate care from our staff and volunteers while they wait to be reunited with their families or to find a new home. Warm blankets, toys and treats, time spent socializing with caring people; all are a part of the animals' experience at Saving Grace. “I want to thank the Commissioners, we can’t really fully express our gratitude for all the support you have given us. Your support has been really instrumental in helping us to expand our programs. Thank you also for promoting adoption, it’s very, very important that we get our community to come out and adopt animals, as throughout the country there is a critical overpopulation of animals in shelters. Adoption is more important than it has ever been,” stated Megan Gram, Executive Director for Saving Grace. For more information about the amazing, adoptable dogs and cats available for adoption or to volunteer or donate to Saving Grace log onto their website at www.savinggracepetadoptioncenter.org.
Strawberry Mountain Mustangs Rehabilitation Center (SMM) was founded in 2005 after rescuing dozens of wild horses from the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge in Nevada. A passion for rescue and rehabilitation was born and still burns brightly today. Throughout the last several years, SMM has been instrumental in developing owner assistance programs, founding the Oregon Hay Bank, sponsoring equine health fairs, educational opportunities for law enforcement, and have been active in the successful passage of a law that made equine abandonment a crime in Oregon. Their successful rehabilitation program is unsurpassed and they are supported by our local veterinarians, law enforcement and district attorney's office. Together, they work to end equine abuse and neglect within our community. “Thank you, Commissioners, for recognizing the work that we do. On one had we are small scale, but we take in and help with the big animals. One of the big things we do is provide training, education and resources to help keep local law enforcement and first responders safe when they respond to large animal calls. We also help to rescue, rehabilitate and find homes for horses,” commented Darla Clark, Founder Strawberry Mountain Mustangs. For more information or to volunteer or donate to Strawberry Mountain log onto their website at www.strawberrymountainmustangs.com.
The Reedsport K9 Shelter is a no-kill Shelter. They receive transport dogs from overcrowded high-kill shelters. Operating under the Reedsport Police Department, they are staffed by a volunteer manager and a group of dedicated volunteers who care for the many dogs received from the coastal area of Douglas County. The City of Reedsport has a very small budget for the maintenance of the building, property and utilities of the shelter. The dogs’ needs are supplied totally by funds, food, and assorted needs donated by benefactors in our community. Local veterinarians donate their services, medicines, and supplies at reduced or no cost to the dogs in need. “I wanted to thank you for having me here today. The biggest thing we deal with is visibility, so having the county recognize the work we do is priceless. We started as the city pound, we still are, but a few years back we partnered with another organization to save dogs from high kill shelters and bring them to our no-kill shelter. I’ve been counting and to date we have saved and rehomed over 200 dogs. It has been the highlight of my life,” noted Val Fox, Shelter Volunteer, Reedsport K9 Shelter. For more information or to volunteer or donate to the Reedsport K9 Shelter log onto their website at https://www.cityofreedsport.org/k9-shelter
“Thank you all for being here today. I am a big fan of your work. We all love the great work that you all do, and we are glad to be here to help where and when we can!” - Commissioner Chris Boice.
Alerts Sign-up