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Gentle Barn Creates Change For The Good At Ohio Shelter

gentlebarn19Along with their recent success in garnering a large donation from Ellen DeGeneres after she sold a lock of Justin Beiber’s hair on eBay, The Gentle Barn has also found success in their mission to save dogs from a rundown dog pound in Ohio.

(At right, one of the contented equine residents of Gentle Barn)

 

 

In December, Founder Ellie Lacks and President Jay Weiner of The Gentle Barn took it upon themselves to save dogs that had been living in a dilapidated dog shelter in Cadiz, Ohio. Through their time and dedication and much public awareness, they were able to save them from euthanization and were also able to rehabilitate the dogs that suffered from conditions that ranged from Parvovirus to frostbite.


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But with the 10 dogs placed in loving homes, Lacks said that to not continue to pursue the Ohio shelter would be a grave injustice.

“It wouldn’t be enough if we just did that and flew back to Los Angeles, because the next day there would be more dogs entering the shelter,” said Lacks. “So for the last two months we’ve been working with the people who work in the pound so that every time a dog would come in they would be routed immediately to our vet instead of outdoor runs.”

So far, they have saved a total of 40 dogs. Many of those have been spayed and neutered, several have been treated for Parvo, and most have found homes. Dogs that have not yet been placed are looking for homes anywhere in the east coast.

Before Lacks and Weiner stepped in, the pound in Ohio had no indoor shelter for the dogs which proved to be harmful, since the winter weather conditions in Ohio are harsh. Since then, Lacks and Weiner visited Ohio a second time to talk with the county commissioner who invited them to help them improve and expand the existing shelter.

Now, the shelter has included three indoor runs that allow up to three dogs to live comfortably indoors at once. With floors sealed, walls painted, and a storage shed built, there is now room for more indoor runs to be built that will provide suitable living conditions for the dogs. They have also rid the shelter of the gas chamber used to kill dogs, since this method used is considered inhumane.

“It is much, much, much more suitable for dogs,” said Lacks.

Lacks said that they have also spent time with the warden in order to show her how to properly care for the dogs. Such responsibilities include how use the right proportions of bleach and water to clean the floors, how to stop the spread of Parvo by using steel bowls instead of plastic bowls, how to feed and socialize the dogs, and also how to network with other volunteers in order to more efficiently place the dogs in proper homes.

With fencing being installed in the pound in order to accommodate more indoor runs, Lacks hopes that the pound will be suitable for more dogs in the coming weeks.

The Ohio pound has been able to improve their place and the animals have been able to be treated by vets through the donations of concerned patrons, but Lacks and Weiner still need help to pay for the costly vet bill that has reached $5,000 dollars and the renovations to the dog pound.

If you are interested in donating, you can send a check or money order directly to the New Horizons Animal Hospital, 52635 High Ridge Road, Saint Clairesville, Ohio 43950.

 

Gentle Barn Creates Change For The Good At Ohio Shelter

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