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The hopes of Donna Brockmann, Humane Society of Pike County president, are that the day will come when the Pike Animal Shelter is out of business.

“But, that won’t happen unless there are no more abandoned, abused and unloved animals in Pike County,” Brockmann said in addressing the gathering at the Grand Reopening of the Pike Animal Shelter Saturday morning.

Until that day comes, Brockmann said the Pike Animal Shelter is providing a much-needed service to Pike County.

“Precious lives live within these walls,” Brockmann said. “These are God’s creatures and it is our responsibility to treat them well. And, the Pike Animal Shelter is treating them very well.”

The Pike Animal Shelter re-opened to the public Saturday after closing for a time to make cosmetic changes and to make the facility a cleaner and healthier place to house “unloved” dogs and cats.

Jacob Fannin, shelter director, said the time off allowed changes to be made including the way the kennels are cleaned, how the animals are fed and on quarantine and intake procedures.  Time was also directed toward making certain the shelter is up-to-date on state protocol and in compliance with all state and federal requirements.

Fannin said the Pike Animal Shelter is a 75-animal facility. In addition, the shelter has rekindled its relationship with rescue groups.

“We are moving dogs all over the country and social medial is a big help in relocating dogs and in getting them back to their owners in those circumstances,” he said. 

With the improvements to the facility, there also have been some operational changes. One major change is that Pike Animal Shelter will no longer accept feral cats.

“The shelter will accept community compatible animals but that is limited to 15 cats,” Fannin said. “We are also changing the way we house cats. In order to prevent the spread of disease, the cats will be housed in individual condos and we have 15 of those. Pike Animal Shelter will be run like a hotel. Once it’s full, we will not accept any more animals.”

Right now, the numbers at the shelter are low and that means that animals are moving through rescue or adoption, Fannin said.

Troy Mayor Jason A. Reeves expressed appreciation to Fannin and his staff for their successful efforts to improve the shelter and for their commitment to moving forward.

“Today is an exciting day,” Reeves said. “We have come a long way; we still have a way to go but we will get there together.”

Rep. Wes Allen echoed the mayor’s appreciation for a job well done.

“Things rise and fall on leadership and Jacob has provided outstanding leadership to bring us to the re-opening of the Pike Animal Shelter,” Allen said.

Donations of dog and cat food and cleaning supplies to the shelter are greatly appreciated as are monetary donations and gift cards.

The Human Society of Pike County’s spay/neuter clinic is underway. Residents of Pike County and Troy University students are eligible to have their animals altered. The HSPC will pay $50 on each procedure. All veterinary clinics in Pike County are participating. Those wishing to participate are encourage to call the clinic of their choice for more information.