Guernsey County Sheriff's Office's gala launches fundraising efforts for new dog shelter
CAMBRIDGE − The Guernsey County Sheriff's Office will host the Dog Shelter Gala at Pritchard Laughlin, with hopes of raising funds for a new facility.
The current dog shelter, 62824 Bennett Ave., has seen better days. The no-kill shelter has been in use since the 1950s and has been dealing with upkeep issues for years. Standing water, nonfunctioning drains and doors that are falling apart don't encourage visitors to adopt a new best friend.
The shelter stays busy. In 2023, 199 dogs were adopted, 443 were taken in, 176 were redeemed by owners and 18 canines went to a rescue.
New shelter would be a County Home Road
A new facility would be a dream come true for both the pooches and their people. With hopes to break ground in roughly a year and a half, the biggest hurdle will be securing the funding to build the facility. The new shelter is planned to be located on County Home Road on the north side of Countryview Assisted Living, something the residents and staff at Countryview are excited about.
The new shelter will hold around 30 kennels. There will be five in-take kennels, two kennels dedicated to the sheriff's K-9 deputies, and two kennels for the Haven of Hope for domestic violence situations. There will also be two secluded, isolation areas and five regular isolation areas.
The staff will also benefit from a new office setting with more storage and a larger outside play area for the dogs.
Gala starts at 5:30 p.m. March 14
Sheriff Paden and Sheriff's Deputy Karla Kerns are hoping to raise between $1.6 and $2 million for the project. "The new shelter is not going to cost any more money for staffing and the bills will probably be less because it's going to be more energy efficient. So a new structure will definitely be more inviting for people to come and to adopt a dog and see the dogs," Guernsey County Sheriff Jeff Paden said.
Hopes are high that the upcoming gala will get the ball rolling on the fundraising. The event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 14. Tickets are $50. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by local country musician Carson Clouse.
There will be a 50/50 drawing, a basket raffle and a live auction. Guests will be able to bid on naming rights for the new kennels and other areas, as well as the naming rights for the entire facility. The dinner for the evening will be a deluxe baked potato bar, and guests will also have the chance to play the Heads or Tails game.
Those wishing to contribute on a smaller scale will be able to purchase either black, gold or silver plaques that will get the purchaser on the wall of the new shelter. Guests will be able to customize what goes on the plaques, such as a memorial or something similar.
Deputy Kerns noted, "We want to just thank the community. If it's not for them, we wouldn't be able to operate. The donations keep us going."
"Our dogs deserve this. It's unfortunate when they come in here. If we can give them a little bit better atmosphere, make it less stressful, easier for them, we should," Sheriff Paden added.
To make a tax-deductible donation or to purchase gala tickets visit FOP 136 website, or call 740-432-2219.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Guernsey County Sheriff's Office's gala to benefit new dog shelter
