The Dillon County Animal Shelter met on Thursday, August 15, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dillon County Judicial Center with volunteers to assist the Shelter.
The Dillon County Animal Shelter’s mission is to build a community of people and organizations working together to save today’s and prevent tomorrow’s abused, neglected, and homeless animals.
Jimmy Haselden, who took over the helm of The Dillon County Animal Shelter on July 15, was the MC of the event. He is assisted at the Shelter by Janice Watson and 2 Dillon County inmates. Jimmy’s wife, Monica and his two sons, Andrew and Luke, were present as volunteers. Timmy Hyatt represented the City of Dillon.
Haselden thanked everyone for attending.
Haselden informed the public that David Mobley was instrumental in the design of The Dillon County Animal Shelter.
Haselden offered many opportunities for volunteers to become involved with the Shelter and to help the animals. Some of the jobs included cleaning, organizing, painting, laundry, grooming, walking dogs, office duties, working events and many other tasks. Of course, donations are another way. The Shelter is always in the need of cat and dog food. Of course, there are many items that people can donate such as: 4 outdoor benches, 1 inside bench, blinds for windows, 2 heavy duty laundry baskets, washer, dryer, laundry detergent, Dawn dishwashing liquid, additional household cleaning supplies, mop heads, brooms, and bottled water, Gatorade, or soft drinks for workers.
Haselden discussed ways in which he and Watson were attempting to change The Dillon County Animal Shelter. He proudly announced the donation of 6 new kennels that would replace 6 of the old and outdated kennels on the site. Also, they wanted to change the method of receiving animals at the site such as moving the intake of the animals to the rear of the building to prevent upsetting the present animals in the shelter. Haselden stated that we will be doing some repairs and painting to help make the Shelter more inviting to the public. “We have a huge surplus of animals in Dillon County,” remarked Haselden. Haselden and Watson both stated that the Shelter needed volunteers to help with a “dog walking” exercise plus time with the animals at the shelter. It was also mentioned of a possible “dog walk and park” addition at the Shelter.
Haselden and Watson hoped to start photo shoots at the Shelter on special occasions such as fall, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day to help promote the Shelter.
The Shelter needs donations of food and snacks.
“We need to provide a program that we can be proud of,” exclaimed Haselden.
Haselden informed everyone that Cheryl Kipp had purchased the property behind the old prison on Hwy. 9 East and would use it for a rescue center for the animals.
There was a good crowd of volunteers present for the meeting. Haselden and Watson presented their agenda and ways of improving the Shelter. Input was gathered from the many who were there such as Faye Perritt, Terry McColl, Stephanie Bullock, Cheryl, Elizabeth, Faye, and many others. Mary McDaniel was unable to be there due to a previous commitment.
Many ideas were submitted by the volunteers to enhance the Shelter and benefit the animals.
After the meeting, volunteers were asked to sign up and begin work as early as next week.
Those present were invited to take a tour of the Shelter.
One may drop off donations at The Dillon County Animal Shelter, 1020 Old Latta Hwy., Dillon, S.C.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
Click to enlarge.
