
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 22, 1993                   TAG: 9310220248
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KAREN BARNES STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MONETA                                LENGTH: Medium

ANIMAL SHELTER'S CONDITIONS INSPIRED WOMAN'S CAMPAIGN

In June of this year, when Nancy Johnson visited the county animal shelter and saw dogs crowded into small pens and poor health conditions, she took matters into her own hands.

She bought bleach, tarps and fans for ventilation, and wondered what else she could do to help the animals in the shelter.

She started a petition drive to interest county residents in creating a humane society. Between 4,000 and 5,000 people signed the petitions; some even offered financial support and their time.

But conditions at the shelter didn't improve.

Johnson videotaped an uncovered pit where shelter employees were dumping bodies of animals put to death. The footage made the local evening news.

A Bedford County humane society isn't yet a reality, but Johnson said organizers are drawing up legal papers to incorporate the new group.

Johnson said one of the first priorities of her fledgling group is to ensure that a new county animal shelter will meet state standards and provide additional space for strays. Although she hasn't seen any plans, she is opposed to having the shelter be totally indoors and without air conditioning.

She initially thought that the humane society could run the facility for the county.

County Administrator William Rolfe offered the group a deal - they could rent the shelter for $1 a year, she said. But all money from adoption fees and dog licenses would return to the county's bank account instead of supporting the shelter.

"Dog tag fees should go to cleaning the shelter and not to build bleachers," the pet groomer said.

Rolfe's proposal would leave the humane society with no source of income to run the shelter, said Johnson.

Instead of running the shelter, the group hopes to staff it with volunteers.

Other missions of the group include education and encouraging spaying and neutering. Johnson said she'd like to work with local newspapers to show a pet of the week. She has been asked by a nursing home to bring pets to visit the residents.

by CNB