Lamar Animal Shelter Might Become Regional Operation

Lamar Animal Shelter

The City of Lamar is in need of loving and caring individuals to volunteer at the Lamar Animal Shelter.  Volunteers would exercise, play and care for the lost and misplaced 4-legged family members while they are waiting to be reunited with their families.  Volunteers are not only needed to be friends with the lost companion members, but also to feed, water, clean and even answer the phone.  If you have a passion for animals and want to help your community, please contact the Lamar Police Department for more information at 719-336-4341.

Dog Run at Animal Shelter

(Editor’s Note):  City Administrator, John Sutherland, remarked during the May 12 City Council meeting, that there is potential for future expansion and improvements at the city’s animal shelter.  Sutherland said the Animal Assistance Foundation from Lakewood, Colorado, contacted Mayor Roger Stagner regarding the current status of the shelter and discussed potential funding for local improvements.  Sutherland said the current shelter is undersized for the number of animals that it handles and the facilities are in great need of improvement.  He explained, “The shelter is generally substandard and is not serving the community well.” The Foundation has expressed an idea that the Lamar shelter could be expanded into a regional facility.  Sutherland said the Foundation has also spoken with the Second Chance Animal Shelter, here in Lamar.  The AAF’s website noted that it is available for grant applications, but did not state that it was open to an application from a municipal entity.  The Foundation was created in 1975.

The Lamar shelter can hold a maximum limit of 14 dogs in the area provided for them.  It also has a wired fence to allow the dogs to get outside exercise.  The Lamar Code Enforcement Officers cared for 338 dogs at the shelter in 2013, and handled about 600 cases last year.  This includes calls for lost or found dogs, roaming or abandoned animals and vicious dog calls.  Sutherland noted that Lamar also has an on-going problem with feral cats.

By Russ Baldwin