In April the Dallas County Foundation (DCF) gave a $6,388.38 grant to the Raccoon River Pet Rescue (RRPR) in Perry to help build a roof over their outdoor dog runs. On Tuesday the RRPR board members hosted a thank-you event for the DCF board members, including a tour of the shelter with special emphasis on the new roof their generosity made possible.
“We’ve known since shortly after our building was done that we were going to need a roof over our dog runs,” said RRPR board member Joelle Miner. “We’ve tried to improvise with tarps to shield the sun and rain, but they have been less that satisfactory. In the winter, the ice and snow that came off the existing roof fell right into the dog kennels.”
Miner said it took some time to line up contractors for the work because they were all very busy, “but eventually Menz Agri Sales and Perry Builders were able to work us in and got the roof on in two days.”
She said they used to have to sometimes block the dogs’ access to the outdoor runs when the weather was bad, but the new roof has solved the problem and pleased everyone — especially the dogs.
“They, of course, can’t tell us they are happier, but we know they are,” Miner said. “Our staff and volunteers are extremely happy about this great positive change in caring for the animals and cleaning the dog runs.”
Touring the Raccoon River Pet Rescue were DCF board members Chris Brocka, Diane Findlay, Jeff Harder, Rebecca Hillmer, Vicky Lage, Sara Martin, Tiawny Meyers and Butch Niebuhr. They were welcomed to the rescue by Miner and other RRPR board members, including Jill Brosnahan, Brent Halling, Larry Meacham, Janel Repp and Joyce VanKirk along with RRPR Shelter Manager Renee Clark and Axle the happy terrier. Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn was also on hand to celebrate.
“Dallas County is very fortunate to have the DCF that provides grants for so many wonderful projects,” Miner said. “We have received two prior grants from DCF for our surgery suite, including a cautery machine and other surgical equipment. We are so grateful to DCF.”
