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Most of you are probably familiar with the term "Built-In Obsolescence." Simply stated, many things in today's world are built not to last, but to run their course within a set time frame--usually a short one. Have you taken a look at the Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter lately? We haven't used the proverbial magnifying glass, nor have we been inside recently, but it looks good from the outside. What are we missing?
The shelter was built in 1987, that's 25 human years ago. There's no reason it shouldn't last another 25 years if properly maintained. Yet we have TimesDaily letter writers calling the shelter "inadequate and crumbling." It certainly may be inadequate when it comes to size, but crumbling?
Don Lambert designed the shelter and Smith General Contractors built it. Has the city not maintained it properly or are its defects more intrinsic?
There may be little we can do about the condition of the shelter, assuming it's as bad as stated, but there is something many can do about the strained space. Adopt a dog or cat from the shelter. There's quite a good chance your new canine companion will be in better health than a puppy purchased from many breeders. It's the only love money can buy.
Just ask "The Brown Recluse." We and Roscoe think she's a hero...
Photo Collage by The Brown Recluse
Shoalanda
We painted there, at a reduced rate, which came from a volunteer and not the city. The building is solid as it is mostly concrete floors and blocks walls. The place isn't crumbling but they are cramped for space badly. We painted the west side of the building, the laundry area all the way to the new adult cat room that they made. That should be in good shape. The dog kennels in the middle needed to be scraped and primed/painted. I think the city was taking bids for that, but not sure. A back wall, south side had gotten a bad paint job in years past and it looked like it was crumbling. Maybe thats what the writer was talking about. They do need a bigger place though.
ReplyDeleteWe had wondered if some DIY painters had perhaps used the wrong materials, not primed, etc. That would make paint jobs easy to peel and look old very quickly.
DeleteAny time you use disinfectants to clean to prevent any disease spread, it will eventually eat the metal up. The Colbert Shelter had to replace kennel fences due to years of Clorox cleaning.
ReplyDeleteI have 3 rescues right now. My last one was a rescue. If they have been abused by previous owners, you have to be tender with them at first. Once they forget the hurt, they know who saved them and you have a protective friend.
We had never thought about the chlorine bleach, chemical aspect. That may be part of the problem. Local governments need to fund shelters before committing money to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame--better return in sloppy kisses.
DeleteOh, and we think anyone doing an animal calendar should include a photo of Roscoe's nose--just a suggestion, but it makes us laugh whenever we see it.
DeleteBeware when he sneezes. And he does....sneeze!
DeleteWhen I got Roscoe, I didn't notice the building in disrepair. Like OB mentioned, it needed a little painting...but crumbling? I sure didn't notice it.
ReplyDeleteRoscoe is the best little pet! He's great with children (even two year olds who like to pull his ears or tail). I highly recommend visiting the shelter before one goes looking at the expensive breed out there.
There is a $75 adoption fee, but that covers $50 toward getting your new pet "fixed." If you take your new pet to the vet the shelter suggests (which I think is Joe Cobb), there won't be any extra charges on the surgery, because he takes the voucher.
Dr. Cobb traveled to the Phil Campbell area last year and worked with injured pets. Trader and Firenze have "Maisie's Fund" with him. You can donate to the fund to provide for injured strays. Very worthwhile.
DeleteWe forgot to add that many want a certain breed and aren't able to find what they want thru rescue organizations. We certainly understand their dilemma. In fact, our friend Dino has a new addition. We'll have to publish pics of the little fella next week. He's a doll...
ReplyDeleteI'm doing a 2013 rescue calendar as a fundraiser for the rescue I got my hooligans from along with the Tuscumbia calendar, a flower & butterfly, and I've had a request for a sunrise/sunset one. I'm still debating that one. I think there is a rescue for just about every breed available. If out of the state there is a transport system available. Karen shipped all over the country.
ReplyDelete