Being a pet owner, Deidre said, is
like being a parent. It is the shelter's
mission.
"We want to be here and provide's
them care until we can find them
forever homes," she said. "Our motto
is that we live to serve, and we serve so
that others may live."
The staff at the shelter provide a
home and care for between 700 and
800 dogs, cats and other pets a year.
That doesn't come cheap.
"Our budget exceeds $300,000 a
year," she added. "We have a contract
with the city, but that only represents
only 24 percent of our budget. The
rest is from donations from the
people of Northwest Arkansas. Those
donations go to buy dog food, cat
food, vaccinations, and to help pay vet
costs and our operating expenses like
telephone, electric and staff."
The shelter's volunteers provide
much needed help to the staff.
"We do have a very strong
volunteer base," Deidre said. "We
have volunteers who come out and
help us clean and do remodeling and
construction. We have a lot of Walmart
volunteers. They do mowing and built
a nice walking trail. We have a lot of
children who come out and socialize
with the animals and walk dogs. A lot of
children now ask for birthday presents
for the animals instead of themselves."
Ingraining a sense of responsibility
and care in the young people for animals
is important to the shelter's future.
"They are the future for the stray
animals," she added. "They are going
to be the voice for them, to speak for
the animals when we are gone. It's
important to instill in the young people
that they need to love and learn animal
care so that they will be able to care for
the animals in the future."
Ready to volunteer?
Call (479) 855-6020 or visit
bellavista-animalshelter.org
facebook.com/BellaVistaAnimalShelter
Off icialKidsMag.com • FEBRUARY 2018 • 17
