New faces take the helm at Marion Animal Shelter

New faces take the helm at Marion Animal Shelter

Crew partners with West Memphis shelter to send pooches to new homes, reduces number at overcrowded facility

news@theeveningtimes.com

Pets bound to new forever homes were kenneled and loaded up in Marion on Thursday morning. In a first ever joint effort West Memphis and Marion Animal control offices came together and transferred 21 sheltered animals to a rescue group in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Once at the Brandywine Valley ASPCA, the pets are expected to be adopted out.

That included an eightyear- old dog named O.G.

O.G. stands for “Old Guy.”

Older dogs are not usually as desirable for adoption. In fact, O.G. has waited a forever home at the Marion shelter for a year, but the ASPCA was willing to take him on.

All the pets have been doctored, have up to date on vaccinations and deworming. With certified health checks from local veterinarian Dr. Gehring, the fur babies were ready for the road.

West Memphis Animal Control Manager Kerry Facello said the joint effort ground transport between the cities was only possible because of public generosity. New Marion Shelter Operations Manager Mickey Erdington provided details and joined in spreading the thanks. Erdington just stepped into her new role Monday.

“The land transport was sponsored by Wings of Rescue, freekibble.com and the Greater Good,” said Facello. “They paid for the transport and of 16 dogs and five cats.”

West Memphis has made arrangements for pet transfers before and invited other animal shelters to join. But the rescue this week marked the first time the two biggest cities in the county made a joint effort.

“Its really cool, the effort between the West Memphis Animal Services and Marion Animal Services together to make it happen,” said Facello. “It’s a new day with the cooperation between the city services.”

“Our kennel tech Kristy Hudnall has been a big help,” said Erdington.

“Without her help a lot of these could not have been tested to be ready for transport. She has transported them to and from the vet offices and gotten their medical care taken care of.

You have to have an Arkansas state health certificate. Dr. Gehring provided health certificates on all these animals.”

The costs for the pet transport came through good causes.

“This transport rate came to us at a discount, it costs $2,000, to save 21 pets,” said Facello. “Marion has begun to take a different approach on animal control and care.”

The new way of operating in Marion opened the door to the cooperative effort to transport the pound puppies. The rescue day couldn’t have come at a better time for the crowded Marion

shelter.

“If we can help reduce the population we give pets a new lease on life,” said Facello.

Erdington had helped West Memphis with pet rescues before taking the new role at Marion. The door to joint efforts swung wide open this week.

“We are looking forward to developing long lasting working relations for pet rescues with fellow agencies,” said Erdington. “I worked on rescue with West Memphis for four years. So when I came in we already had a friendship. Now were are forming a partnership.”

“The community needs to know we are working together,” said Facello.

The new team at Marion animal Control included Erdington, Animal Control Officers, the familiar MPD Corporal H. “Tank” Tankersley and Traci Butler, Kennel Technician Kristy Hundell.

By John Rech