HAL boosts outreach

“We’re focused on getting the community more involved in the shelter,” said Liebetruth, who became the shelter’s new manager on May 20. “We need the community on board and supporting us, and we need to be more customer-friendly with our adoption processes if they see an animal they like.”

Currently, the facility at 200 River Road is open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed Sunday and Monday.

“Weekends are when people want to come to the shelter, so we’ll probably add more hours Saturday and be open Sundays for a couple of hours,” Liebetruth said. The extended hours will start July 1.

John Wong, Home At Last’s volunteer coordinator, said the objective is to make the shelter an efficiently operated business.

The shelter has nine employees but is seeking to hire two additional full-time employees. Extra volunteers are always needed.

“We’re looking for more volunteers, employees, and board members,” Wong said. “A little animal experience would be great, but it’s mostly on the job training. The most important quality is, you have to want to be here and have to believe in the mission.”

Liebetruth pointed out that the Home At Last shelter has a “no-kill mission and philosophy.”

“The only time we’ll consider euthanasia is if an animal is suffering and is beyond help,” she explained. “We’re the only no-kill facility in a wide area.”

Wong said the work involved in caring for shelter animals is not easy.

“It’s very emotionally charged, and it can be highly stressful service. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea,” he said. “It can also be hard physical work.”

“Animals need care every day. The need is there 24-7,” Liebetruth added. “It’s a business, but it involves living beings. We always have to set priorities, and first and foremost is the animals. We want to create a new volunteer base and reach out to new corporate sponsors.”

The shelter recently created two new programs to help get more pets adopted. One is called “Seniors for Seniors,” in which older dogs and cats – 8 years old and older -- are offered for adoption to people over the age of 55, with a 50 percent discount off the cost of adoption. Another initiative with the shelter’s cats is essentially a “two for one” deal, which provides for those adopting a kitten to get a “little brother or sister for your new little friend” at no extra cost.

“Our goal is to get animals out as soon as possible and obviously into good homes,” Liebetruth said. “It’s not healthy for animals to stay too long at the shelter.”

Despite her passion for animals and her belief in the shelter’s critical role in the community, Liebetruth implied she would be happy if the day would come when animal shelters were no longer necessary.

“The shelter should always be the last resort,” she explained. “Just like homeless shelters for people. If you know you can’t keep a pet, it’s best to rehome the pet directly. Try every option first before bringing an animal to the shelter.”