Pickaway County Dog Shelter participated in the Clear the Shelter event yesterday August 18, 2018. Clear the Shelter this is a nationwide event that, “seeks to match deserving animals with loving and permanent homes.” This is the 4th clear the shelter national event, and the second time Pickaway Dog Shelter was invited to participate.
We had more people come through our doors for this event than we usually have in almost a month here at the shelter. We adopted 12 dogs and had one foster a dog with the plan if everything works out for adoption. We had many people walk dogs and get them out of cages for some much-needed exercise. Not only did we get some room in the shelter for more dogs but many people now know where we are and what we do. We had several individuals that said they are considering adoption soon also,’ said Marc Rogols, Chief Dog Warden.
Marc Rogols, Chief Dog Warden, says being nominated for Dog Warden of the year came as quite as a surprise to him. In four years as dog warden, we’ve come a long way, but I never expected this. I’m very honored to accept this award for my shelter, and ALL the people involved not just me,” said Marc Rogols.
“Sciotopost asked him why he thinks he was given the award out of the other 87 counties. “How far as our group has come in the last four years at the shelter. We have brought the euthanasia from 40% down to nominal. I have only euthanized two dogs out of 500 this year. We work with the dogs and try to find homes for older dogs; we do not euthanize for overcrowding.
I am very blessed to have a non-support agency, partners for paws. Partners for paws pays for all of our vet bills at the Shelter. So if a dog comes in with injuries, we fix it. We’ve done surgeries, amputations, meds; you name it we’ve done it. Being partners with these agencies is one of the best ways to minimize euthanasia. We are fortunate to have them to help us. We are non-tax dollar funded, meaning we wouldn’t have the budget to do that without them. That’s probably the number one reason, the number two reason is staff. I sometimes handle dogs and clean kennels, but I’m also the guy in the office running the administration. I have three deputy wardens that work with the dogs regularly. They are the ones who fight through the overcrowding. We had forty-two kennels at the start of the year, and we put in dividers to primarily help our population. We put in sound baffles this year, for the dogs and the staff. We have countless volunteers, and the dog shelter is indeed a team effort. I’m proud they selected me but it’s deserved for the entire shelter including the volunteers, deputy wardens, partners for paws, I couldn’t do it myself.”
I’m retired Highway Patrol, this is the most challenging and rewarding job I’ve ever had. On the other end it can be depressing and sad, because you get attached to animals. You see the condition they come in and its extremely gratifying to give them the help they need and find them new homes. It’s sad to see them go sometimes,” Deputy Warden Marc Rogols.
