Murphy – Dogs of all types were treated to a walk in the park and some attention for a good cause on
Feb. 1. About 30 volunteers came out to Konehete Veterans Park under sunny skies, but chilly weather, to walk a shelter dog for a mile. The dogs were joyfully jumping up and down, barking and playing as canines do, while their human counterparts were happy to be spending time with them.
The Valley River Humane Society event was seeking donations for the animal shelter in Marble in memory of the late Kirsty Waller, the shelter’s past manager. Donation jars were set around on tables, and supplies were on hand for pet owners to pick up for a donation.
Folks were also stopping by the park to drop off dog food and other pet supplies to help the cause.
At one point, two dogs appeared to be in the mood to scrap it out. However, a quick word from a walker resolved any problems the two had, and their walk went on without a fight.
Cherokee County Commissioner Jan Griggs came out to walk a pooch named Hoyt.
“I’ve never seen a dog take such a big” one, she said with a laugh, but she was quick with a bag to pick it up, leaving no traces on the walkway.
About $300 was raised for the shelter and, just as importantly, the dogs enjoyed a day out of the shelter.
Carol Reagan, the Valley River Humane Society’s office manager, has concerns about the shelter being over capacity.
“We are just looking for loving families for all the babies, to be in a loving home with a good family and living indoors. We want them to be part of a family,” she said.
“We would really like animal control. That’s a big problem here. Everybody lets their dog run loose, they don’t use name collars or tags and there’s no leash law, no spay and neuter laws. We’re constantly having strays and litters of puppies and litters of kittens dumped off at people’s homes, dump sites, dumpsters and in front of churches.
“We’re just asking people to do the right thing and call, don’t dump the animals off for somebody else to take care of,” Reagan added.
The Valley River Humane Society, a no-kill shelter, would like to see more pets adopted into local forever homes.
Several dog walkers at the event have recently lost their canine and were considering adoption.
Betty Seabolt of Hanging Dog was filling out paperwork to adopt one of the shelter’s older dogs.
“Most people don’t adopt older dogs. He has a heart murmur – and I have heart issues, too – so he’s a good fit for us,” she said.
“We can give him a good home.”