Worthy goal for pets at city shelter

In this season of sharing and caring, there is heart-warming news from the animal shelter operated by the Lynchburg Humane Society.

Shelter officials have decided the time has come to move toward a no-kill policy, which means that none of the animals taken in by the shelter will be euthanized. Under such a policy, homes would be found for every animal taken in by the shelter.

It’s a worthy goal, but it won’t happen overnight.

The catalyst for the new policy is the shelter’s new executive director, Makena Yarbrough, who came to the shelter in July. She brought with her experience from two animal shelters with no-kill policies, one in Richmond and one in Charlottesville.

Humane Society board member Shelley Stone said that even before Yarbrough’s arrival, the board wasn’t happy with the number of animals that had to be put down. “It wasn’t meeting the need. More were coming in than we could get adopted.”

Once the board decided to move toward a no-kill policy, it hired Yarbrough as the shelter’s first full-time executive director. “We needed somebody who was just there,” Stone said, noting that the shelter was previously run by its board of directors.

“We hit the pot of gold with (Yarbrough). Here she comes from two no-kill communities. She was able to come in and make some immediate changes,” Stone said.

One of those changes was to start a foster care program, through which 80 animals have been placed in new homes. The shelter also started offering special rates such as 2-for-1 kittens to encourage adoption. And, for the holidays, it has reduced prices for other animals.

The euthanasia rate has dropped 61 percent since July, but Yarbrough says it will take as long as five years to reach the goal of a no-kill policy. “We have to build the resources, the community support and the programs.”

Yarbrough got involved with animal shelter work as a volunteer in Richmond. She eventually joined the staff as director of education and, later, director of operations. She says that all shelters, including the one here, are in constant need of volunteers who work with the animals, clean cages and do laundry.

Lynchburg’s shelter has almost outgrown its location tucked behind City Stadium. It has had to expand accommodations for cats out into the hallways and the building’s conference room. Yep, Tabby, sitting there at the head of the table, is chairman of the board at the shelter.

Yarbrough hopes the shelter will be able to raise enough money to expand – whether by renovating their existing space or building a new facility.

Looking around at the crowded facilities, she asks, “Does this represent how Lynchburg feels about their animals? I don’t think so.”

In a plea for community support, which is so critical for any animal shelter operation, she adds, “It’s time for us to elevate the status of the animals and really represent Lynchburg. If the community can help us, and they want us to succeed, then we will.”

She’s right. And implementing the no-kill policy will undoubtedly engender greater community support for the shelter and the animals it cares for. That’s a good reflection on the people of Lynchburg – people who do care about their animals.