From staff reports
Until three years ago, approximately 75 dogs were euthanized each month in Rowan County because there was nowhere for them to go. That was before STAR stepped into the picture.
Dr. Susan Creasap, Morehead State University associate director of bands, had been going to the pound alone to save the dogs when her veterinarian, Dr. Ralph Derrickson, told her she should meet another woman in the community, Jan Dacci, who was doing the same thing.
Dr. Creasap met Dacci, who knew another woman who also was saving dogs whenever she could, Julia Sharp. The three met at the Fuzzy Duck and Saving the Animals of Rowan (STAR) was formed.
The three wrote a constitution and articles of incorporation, eventually receiving 501c3 organization status, making donations tax deductible.
Some veterinarians in the area, Dr. Derrickson, Dr. Connie Below-Spencer and Dr. Anthony Stansburg, have pitched in to help STAR save more animals from being euthanized. Community groups, such as the Morehead Community Theatre Guild and Morehead Woman’s Club, have held fundraisers for the group, providing funds for health care and boarding the animals.
Dr. Creasap said some veterinary technology and pre-vet students in class had volunteered to help with the animals. With their assistance, word about STAR is getting around and more people are pitching in to help.
Brandi Jones, a vet-med senior, said she heard about the program two years ago when she was in marching band with Dr. Creasap. At the time, she lived in a residence hall and was bogged down with classes, so she did not have the time or space required to foster and help with the animals.
Last September, Jones started fostering dogs and devoting more time to the program.
“I take them in, give them the TLC they need, teach them manners and basic commands and socialize them with other dogs and cats,” Jones said.
She said working with STAR has helped her gain more experience working with dogs, training and becoming familiar with things that can go wrong. She said this has helped her learn to deal with the different personalities and breeds of dogs.
Jones said volunteer opportunities are always open for the community, either fostering animals or helping socialize rescued pets. She recommends going to the pounds and playing with the puppies so they can become more familiar with people.
“I really love the animals and the good they (STAR) are trying to do, saving the animals and keeping puppies from being out on the street,” Jones said.
STAR members rescue dogs from the pound, but also hear about animals in need from the dog warden, the state police and other community members. The animals are treated for any health issues and either boarded at the Tin Woof Inn, operated by Gale Templeton, or at one of the foster homes until a suitable, permanent home is found.
Dr. Creasap said people who want to own one of the dogs must fill out an application online, complete with references. They check to see if the applicants have a fenced in yard and are allowed to own pets where they live. The applicant’s previous veterinarian is contacted to see if the animals will receive proper care. They want to know if other dogs have died because of poor treatment and if the dog will be left tied outside.
“It’s not hard to find people who want puppies,” Dr. Creasap said. “It’s hard to find people who will take care of them.”
After the application is cleared, which takes a couple of days, arrangements are made to get the dog(s) to the new home.
Some of Dr. Creasap’s students check in with her before going home, asking if she has any dogs needing to go with them. She said sometimes they pay someone to drive the animals where they need to go.
Dr. Creasap said STAR works with many other rescue organizations across the country, helping others find homes that suit the individual animals. She said STAR has shipped animals across the country, from Maine to California, thanks to the strong network. One dog was shipped to Winnipeg, Canada.
Before STAR, Creasap said anywhere from 30 to 75 dogs were euthanized a month. Since STAR, in 2008 a total of 50 dogs were euthanized all year. Dr. Creasap is proud of this number, but said they need help to bring that number down, as well.
She said this also can be fixed with the help of community members.
“Our overall goal is to have no more homeless pets,” Dr. Creasap said.
The goal is not as farfetched as it sounds, she said. Some places, thanks to strong laws about spaying and neutering, have no strays.
“Every time someone spays or neuters a dog, they’ve made a difference,” Dr. Creasap said.
The community can help STAR by spaying and neutering their pets, vaccinating, fostering animals and donating money or supplies.
Dr. Creasap said the group always needs more dog blankets, which can be old used comforters or blankets, dog crates, leashes and collars. She said STAR needs a transport van for the dogs, but funding is currently unavailable.
STAR has four foster homes and is always in need of more, she said. The dogs are all house dogs and they do not want to leave them with those who will leave them tied outdoors.
Dr. Creasap fosters five dogs and has a dog of her own. She said the animals have a problem with being indoor dogs because they would rather be around people.
“All six live in the house,” she said. “I just have to vacuum more than most people.”
Another goal Dr. Creasap said the organization has is to secure a better pound. The current pound for Rowan County is located in a flood plain. Whenever it floods, Dog Pound Warden Jimmy Hale has to move all the animals to a safer place.
Even though the pound is in a flood plain and next to a waste-treatment place, Dr. Creasap said this pound is better than most because the dog warden keeps it up. Unfortunately, many surrounding counties do not have good pounds, dog wardens that care or funding.
Dr. Creasap said people can save a dog from the pound for $50, including the costs of shots and spaying/neutering. It costs a little more to get a dog through STAR as they do additional vetting.
For additional information, to complete an application or place a donation, visit http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/KY251.html.
