City celebrates $350,000 in donations for future shelter

Barks and beats wafted through an unseasonably cool breeze Thursday evening at the Brown Bag and Leashes event on the Square in Downtown Troy.

The event celebrated the donation of $350,000 in cash, land and assets to fund the construction of the upcoming Pike County Animal Shelter. Mayor Jason Reeves thanked The Troy Animal Shelter Coalition and the Pike County Humane society for their efforts in fund raising for the new facility.

“These two organizations have worked tirelessly to make it possible for us to have an updated, upgraded place for cats and dogs in Pike County,” Reeves said.

Officials said work will begin towards the construction of the site on the week of July 7, and they hope to have the site prepared before December. The shelter will be located on Henderson Highway past KW Plastics.

Dogs big and small mixed and mingled with their owners throughout the evening, from tiny Yorkshire terriers to huskies and Great Danes, while Jim Bell Trio provided musical entertainment.

Debbie Headley and her schnauzer Troy and dachshund Prissy came out to the event to meet other dogs. Headley said she was excited to come to a pet-friendly event.

“It’s great, I think it’s the first time they’ve had an event like this,” Headley said. “Troy wants to meet everybody — the bigger the dog, the better.”

The mayor also thanked Pike County Commission and City of Brundidge and many other organizations for their efforts.

“Events like this make me so proud to be from Troy,” Mayor Jason Reeves said. “It’s been a dream of our community to do better for our animals. This is what being a small town is all about.”