SNOW HILL — Following Greene County Animal Shelter getting smacked with a list of state violations requiring numerous repairs and announcing it may not be able to keep the doors open, an outpouring of donations have come in.
“We’re getting donations every day,” Animal Control Director Michael Rhodes said. “It’s unbelievable.”
The donations began pouring in after several news outlets reported on the shelter’s $13,000 budget cut and the inability to even purchase more pet food, let alone take care of some of the repairs.
In addition, Rhodes said he had already told the animal control officer and shelter attendant, the only employees, the animals may have to be euthanized after holding them the required 72 hours, as they did some years back. More recently, they have been adopting out more animals by keeping them as long as 30 days.
“We only euthanized one time in the last 90 days,” he said, “and we were euthanizing on a weekly basis.”
Shelter Attendant Gayle Joyner said people came to the shelter drop off nearly 1,000 pounds of food, toys and other supplies, or they mailed in monetary donations.
“We needed everything we could get,” she said, “and people just started helping.”
Lisa Carlson, from the Animal Welfare Section of the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, inspected the facility unannounced on Feb. 12, citing numerous ongoing problems.
Much of the work has been completed or started — in part because of a $2,000 grant, as well as through monetary donations.
Lowe’s donated a heating and air conditioning unit for the office and a washer and dryer. The old washer was leaking.
“Oh my gosh, that’s awesome,” Joyner said about the new appliances. “No more water on the floor.”
The old appliances were removed from the back of the building on N.C. 903 North. The roof leaks are being repaired and the concrete drainage blockage — which left urine, feces and cleaning products stagnating — is being addressed.
The toilet is repaired, the fence is getting painted and the walls and floors are being patched, painted and sealed.
The indoor dog runs have heat, but they have never had air conditioning, Rhodes said. There isn’t money to do so.
“We don’t have the money to replace,” Rhodes said, “but we’re doing a good job of repairing. It’s getting a facelift.”
Happy Jack in Snow Hill said the company will match any monetary donations up to $5,000.
“I’m just tickled pink,” Joyner said, “about all the support people have been giving.”
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.
Breakout box
Want to help?
n To make donations of pet supplies, call the Greene County Health Department at 252-747-8181, 252-747-8183 or visit or mail checks to Greene County Animal Shelter, 1985 Hwy. 903 N., Snow Hill 28580. Make checks payable to FOGCAS (Friends of Greene County Animal Shelter)
n For information and updates on the shelter, visit Greene County Animal Shelter on Facebook or call 252-747-8184
n Shelter yard sale: 6:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., March 23