Second Chance: Ribbon Chewing Ceremony

05 Jun Second Chance: Ribbon Chewing Ceremony

Hi my name is Ellie McNelly and I am excited to invite the whole community to attend a “Ribbon Chewing Ceremony” on Saturday, June 7, from 1-3 p.m. to commemorate the opening of the new dog facility, The Dog Den, at Second Chance Humane Society’s Animal Resource Center on 177 County Rd 10.  Yes the building is just about done and homeless dogs like me are ready to celebrate with supporters like you!

Ellie

Although the new Dog Den will be the focus, the June 7th event, we will also be marking the organization’s 20 year anniversary, so the celebration will include live music, light apps (catered by Sid of Cavallos!), facility tours, raffles, door prizes and more.  Twenty years of saving lives and the first purpose-built animal shelter in the region…Yeah there is need for celebrating here!

So come and check out Smitty’s Dog Den – named after the family dog of the project’s top donor, Jane & Robert Cizik– which represents a true evolution in the animal welfare industry with cage-free housing, communal rooms for social dogs, indoor/outdoor runs, bright open spaces and a modern HVAC system to keep the pets healthy and adoptable. Additionally, the expanded space of the facility, compared to the renovated barn that has been used since the organization moved to the property in 2011, will more than double capacity for rescuing dogs.

We’ve been giving the building a bit of a test run and “our personal staff” who take care of us are excited that with the efficiencies and layout of the building, they’ll be able to spend more time playing with us and less time cleaning up. We also are finding the building to be very calming and cheery, which keeps us  as calm and cheery as the  staff, volunteers, and visitors.

Inka

So I look forward to this opportunity to meet many of you who so generously supported this project. Raising $712,000 in such a short timeframe absolutely reflects an incredibly compassionate and giving community and I want to give you all licks and wags in thanks. I will be out and about with all the other adoptable dogs who are also hoping to meet our new families, but you will recognize me by my unreserved wag and twinkle of joy in my eyes.

For those who have never visited the Cat Casa, that will be available to tour as well – hosted by Inka the Invincible – a lovely black kitty ready to leave her mark of love on your heart and home…

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)