BHS requests animal shelter, By LISA KACZKE, Staff Writer

With no animal shelter in Koochiching County, the Borderland Humane Society has limited the number of animals it provides care for to only those in abuse or neglect situations.
With the help of three dogs who have been successfully adopted, BHS members Tuesday asked the Koochiching County Board to help build a shelter that would allow the society to care for more animals until they are adopted.
“We desperately need a shelter for Koochiching County,” said Robyn Ramquist, press relations coordinator for the BHS.
Ramquist challenged the county commissioners to support the creation of a shelter.
“The animals need you. Please, please help them with a shelter in Koochiching County,” Ramquist said.
A bill has been introduced at the state Legislature that would allow the county to buy the former amorary building, according to Commissioner Kallie Briggs. Briggs said the bill represents a step closer to having an animal shelter in the county.
Because BHS no longer has investigators, the society must rely on help from the Sheriff’s Office in cases of abuse or neglect.
County commissioners and BHS members said they were appreciative of the help from the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Wade Pavleck credited Undersheriff Brian Jespersen for following up on every abuse and neglect report he receives.
BHS has three foster families in the community, where animals can be placed until they are ready for adoption, according to Ramquist.
To date in 2008, BHS has taken in 49 dogs and cats, according to Ramquist. BHS does not euthanize animals unless absolutely necessary. If an injured animal is brought in, BHS members follow a veterinarian’s guidance. If the animal can be saved, the BHS will take the necessary steps to offer the animal a second chance at life, Ramquist said.
Some owners have threatened to shoot their animal and dump it on a city or county road unless the BHS takes in the animal, Ramquist said. But without foster families and no shelter, there are few options, she said.
BHS has found an organization called Puppy Porch in Chaska that has helped the humane society take in animals, BHS member Cindy Meyers said. But Puppy Porch can’t take in all animals surrendered to BHS, she said.
“We are in peril in this,” she said.
Ramquist said the humane society needs help in the form of volunteers willing to serve as foster families, provide transportation for veterinarian appointments, and help with fundraisers. She also said BHS needs help in the form of donations of money and animal supplies. About 90 percent of BHS’s funding is used for vet expenses, Ramquist said.
The BHS is raffling off a rhino off-road vehicle as a fund raiser. Raffle tickets can be purchased in 30 businesses in the community, Ramquist said. People can also become a member of the BHS with a $10 due.
Ramquist asked the community to help the BHS by getting their pets vaccinated and spayed or neutered. People should also get a pet when they are ready to commit to the pet’s entire life, she said.
She also asked people to never abandon an unwanted animal.
“You need to find it a new home,” Ramquist said.

Koochiching County Board news notes
• The Koochiching County Board approved Tuesday the plan for an outdoor veterans memorial, which is designed for an area east of the courthouse.
Commissioners were given two options: Approve a budget without final costs or wait until August to approve a budget with firm numbers. Commissioners also approved in a 4-1 vote to set the budget for the memorial at $75,000 and move forward as quickly as possible. Commissioner Mike Hanson voted against the motion.
“We have World War II vets who are dying every day in this county,” Pavleck said, adding that the cost is not a lot to spend on those who gave their life for the country.
The next step in the process is site preparation for the building of the memorial.
• The board approved a nine-acre gravel pit and mining operation on property owned by Gary Wheelock on County Road 104. The project is expected to last for four years and is not expected to include blasting.
• The board approved a public informational meeting schedule on the proposed development ordinance. The county is in the process of updating its ordinances.
The meetings are scheduled for the following: Aug. 19 in the Northome Senior Center, Aug. 20 in the Birchdale Community Center, Aug. 25 in the Littlefork Community Center, and Aug. 26 in the Koochiching County Courthouse boardroom. All meetings are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.
The board requested that Environmental Services Director Richard Lehtinen consider adding a fifth public meeting to be held in the Silverdale area.
Following the timeframe for the informational meetings, the board is expected to hold public hearings on the ordinance.
• The board set 11 a.m. Aug. 12 for a public hearing on the county’s proposed subsurface sewage treatment ordinance. The county has until Sept. 1 to adopt the ordinance and funding is dependent on the adoption.
• The board approved the employment separation of public health nurse Donita Ettestad.