By Elana Warsen
ROSCOMMON – The Roscommon County Animal Shelter (RCAS) was among three open admission shelters in the state to receive an award from the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance (MPFA) in recognition of their save rates in the 2014. RCAS was the winner in the Small Shelter category.
MPFA relied on data from state-mandated annual shelter reports submitted by each licensed shelter to determine that RCAS had a 100 percent save rate in 2014. MPFA looks at a variety of available data sources each year to determine if progress is being made toward Michigan becoming a no kill state.
‘We do not call ourselves a ‘no kill shelter,” said Roscommon County Animal Shelter and Animal Control Director Terry MacKillop. ‘But we strive to avoid euthanizing animals if there is a better alternative.’
Some measures the shelter uses to create a good outcome for animals in their care include surgeries such as leg and eye removal and a recent surgery to repair a cleft palate on a husky pup that was rescued from a puppy mill.
‘We have about $1,800 invested in that particular animal,’ he said.
If an animal’ behavior makes them a difficult fit for adoption, the shelter provides enrichment through food therapy, a technique that can recondition an animal’ behavior. Still, MacKillop stresses, there are times when euthanasia may be the best option.
‘We look at safety and quality of life,’ he said.
The shelter receives support through donations and volunteer participation. MacKillop has been at the helm for about 25 years, and has seen it go from a small scale operation with a 98% euthanasia rate to the award winning shelter it is today.
‘For a northern shelter we are pretty remarkable,’ he said.
Roscommon County Animal Shelter is located at 1110 Short Drive in Prudenville, MI. To make a donation or become a volunteer, contact RCAS at 989-366-0260. A list of supplies the shelter needs can be found at the shelter website, www.roscommoncountyanimalshelter.com.
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