Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter moves into new, temporary home

Two-and-a-half weeks after watching in shock and horror as their building was destroyed by fire, employees at the Knox-Whitley Animal Shelter officially opened for business at their new temporary location.

Shelter employees have been working for more than a week to clean up and set up the former A&J Lawn Mower repair building on 5th Street Road in Corbin to serve as the shelter’s home.

Shelter Director Deanna Meyers said she and her staff are happy to have a home again and someplace that allows them to get back into a normal routine.

Tuesday morning, staff members were feeding and watering the five dogs, one puppy and three cats that had come into the shelter just since Monday.

Wagging Hearts Rescue in Chicago and the Lexington Humane Society have worked with the shelter, taking 21 puppies, 12 dogs and five kittens from the shelter.

Meyers added that without their support, the shelter would be quickly overwhelmed because of the limited space.

“We really only have room for 12 large dogs,” Meyers said of the large kennels set up at one end of the shelter, adding there is room for approximately 50 total animals.

The shelter has smaller cages set up to house cats/kittens and puppies.

Knowing the shelter’s limitations, Meyers said officials with Wagging Hearts and the Lexington Humane Society have agreed to make frequent trips to Corbin to take the animals to their facilities where they have a better chance of being adopted.

“Wagging Hearts is coming every other week and Lexington Humane Society is coming every week,” Meyers explained.

The shelter is going to need the help. Within a few hours of opening Tuesday, two more puppies and another litter of kittens came through the door.

Meyers said officials are still waiting on the insurance settlement from the fire and will be seeking grant money as they work to find a permanent home.

Ashley Wyatt, one of the staff members, said while she is happy their temporary home is open, she is looking forward to the day the shelter has a permanent home.

“It just doesn’t feel the same,” Wyatt said of the temporary shelter.

With a roof overhead, Meyers said what the shelter needs, and will always need, is monetary donations to be used to cover operating expenses.

For those interested, T-shirts commemorating the lives lost in the fire are available for sale at Williamsburg Veterinary Clinic. The shirts are $10 each and all proceeds go to the shelter.

The shirts are also available online through zazzle.com/kwasonline Fifteen percent of the online sales go to the shelter.
In addition, the shelter is in need of metal pet food bowls, towels and blankets and chew treats.

Monetary donations are still being accepted at any Forcht Bank location and the Hometown Bank of Corbin locations in Barbourville, Corbin and London.

Donations and food supplies may be brought to the shelter during business hours.

The shelter will be open 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Strays may be dropped off 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. until noon on Saturday.

More information about the shelter is available online at http://www.knoxwhitley.org