Volunteer animal group starts organizing

By Janet DelTufo, Staff Writer

Sobering statistics regarding the welfare of animals served as a wake-up call to the more than 50 people who attended the first meeting of the Wickenburg Humane Society.

Those who attended last week's meeting at the Vulture Peak Middle School listened carefully as Liz Powell and Natalee Rallo spoke about the number of animals (3 to 4 million) that are euthanized each year in the United States.

"Animals are like children, and we need to speak for them when we can," Powell said. "We need to provide care, and there is a lot of work that has to be done."

Powell and Rallo are working toward starting a humane society for the Wickenburg area. Across the United States, 6 to 8 million cats and dogs enter shelters each year, and half of them are euthanized. The rest are adopted.

Wickenburg's close-knit community has so far been able to save most of its animals by bringing home pets that have been abandoned.

A number of stray dogs and cats each week are picked up within town limits by Wickenburg Animal Control and are taken to the Bar S Animal Clinic. Some pet owners have even left their pets near the clinic, leaving the clinic to take responsibility for them.

The Town of Wickenburg pays for three days of shelter at the clinic after Animal Control picks up a dog or cat. It's up to clinic owner Rick Regusa to put the animal to sleep if it has not been claimed by its owner or adopted by a new family after 72 hours. This is something, however, he has rarely had to do.

Regusa said that over the last few years, more than 300 dogs and cats have been adopted from Bar S. He said only a handful of dogs have been put to sleep because of behavior issues.

When animals are held over at the clinic for more than three days, or simply dumped on his door during the middle of the night, Regusa absorbs those costs. It is a financial drain, and Powell and Rallo hope to bring together the necessary support to build and maintain a full service shelter.

"There are millions of dollars available in grants, and Natalee and I have been busy researching the subject," Powell said. "Municipal and county funds might also be available to us."

Powell and Rallo told the audience they didn't expect a shelter to be built over night and have committed themselves to the project for however long it takes. They are forming a task force, with the help of Kate McCusker, and Powell said local attorney Jim McArthur will be providing free legal services pro bono. McCusker also has recently spearheaded Wickenburg's recycling effort.

All those in attendance filled out informational forms listing contact information, areas where they could provide service, and personal areas of expertise.

The group asked questions, voiced concerns, and offered suggestions. One of those questions was whether the Wickenburg Humane Society would be a no-kill shelter.

"Our goal would be to have a no-kill shelter, but that is not realistic," Rallo said. "And, unfortunately, there are some no-kill shelters that are no-kill in name only. They have other people do their dirty work."

The group offered sponsorship ideas, and they gave advice regarding the physical work that is required to care for a large amount of animals in one place.

Knowing that it could take between three to five years before a structure is built and ready to provide services, Rallo said she would like to see a foster care program started immediately. Powell said that it will cost around $500,00 to get the project fully off the ground.

"As far as funding for this project, I don't see that as a problem," Powell said. "I know how generous this town is, and I know how much the people in Wickenburg love their animals."

Teri Benoit performed secretarial duties during the meeting. From the informational sheets and the meeting notes, Powell and Rallo will be contacting individuals to head up committees and become part of the task force.

A savings account has also been opened for legal filing fees. Fundraising will not begin until all the necessary legal paperwork for a non-profit organization has been completed and filed.

For those who missed the meeting and want information, contact Powell at 684-6700. A Web site for the organization is scheduled to be up and running within a month.

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