Mission Valley Animal Shelter celebrates 25 years
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POLSON — The non-profit Mission Valley Animal Shelter has thrived on community support for a quarter of a century, and as a thank you, will host a shelter birthday celebration on Aug. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Riverside Park.
The MVAS mission is to be “a voice for those who cannot speak” to help neglected, mistreated dogs and cats in Lake County, and promote responsible pet ownership and neuter assistance.
Sharon Hawke, vice president and member of the board of directors said that the Human Society of the United States of the Northern Rocky Division has always given the MVAS a glowing recommendation.
“They cited us as a model for a rural animal shelter the way it should be done,” Hawke said. MVAS is the only animal shelter in this area, so they get everything that comes through the door, and she said they work with other rescue groups as a transfer, combined effort to keep the euthanization level low.
The small rural animal shelter is successful because of community support. People see that they’re successful and doing a good job, and that brings in a lot of benefits, support, and donations, according to Hawke.
“The animals there are very happy,” Hawke said. “You don’t feel sorry for them; you feel like you’re helping them become more adoptable by working with them.”
Hawke said the shelter is as close to no-kill as it can be, and they don’t euthanize because of lack of space.
In an effort to help the animals, the first expansion to the shelter was made in 2001, the second in 2010.
“We did both of those without incurring any debt, and that is largely due to community to be able to do this,” Hawke said.
Renovations provided bigger exercise areas where dogs could walk and intermingle with people, isolation rooms for cats and dogs, kitten areas, an adult room, and an open cat room with access to the outdoors.
Currently, they are expanding the back kennel yards to provide the animals with more space.
“We are still going strong and the community should be very proud of their support of the high quality of animal shelter and thrift store in their midst,” Hawke said.
In 2004, the thrift store Seconds to Go opened next to McDonalds in Polson and is operated by the MVAS. The land and building was donated to the shelter, and all profits go directly to shelter operations.
Hawke said the store has done remarkably well over the years, due to high quality donations from the community and support from shoppers. Donations are always welcome, she added.
“We are honored that the community has always supported the animal shelter for 25 years,” Hawke said.
The shelter will host the celebration for the community with several activities and snacks hosted by local businesses.
Jill Simpson, MVAS director, will offer training tips and advice, and teach people how to read a dog’s body language.
“If you want to know what your dog is trying to tell you, Jill can probably help you out,” Hawke said.
A booth will provide information about the animal shelter, ways to get involved, how to become a member, and offer yearly sponsorships that are available for purchase as a memorial for a loved pet that has passed away.
Every 15 minutes there will be a drawing for various prizes, including a wellness exam gift certificate from Vet Care Montana, a $50 certificate from the Hair Port, a gift certificate from First Resort, prizes from Three Dog Down, and various prizes from PolsonAnimal Clinic and Southshore Veterinary Clinic.
At 3 p.m., to close the event, Rev. Edwina Aker, retired Episcopalian minister, will perform a blessing of the animals as she has done for the shelter in the past.
Hawke was pleasantly surprised while promoting the event as she handed out flyers and spoke with several businesses about putting up posters.
“People just don’t say ‘no’ to the animal shelter in this community,” Hawke said. “It is just fantastic. Come out and accept our thanks for making us viable for 25 years.”
To see adoptable animals, visit missionvalleyanimalshelter.org
