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Renderings of the proposed facility for the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society are based on a site that would give the shelter more room. Two acres near Copiah-Lincoln Community College were recently donated by locals Dan Bland and Vidal Davis.
Davis: New shelter to be ready by 2009
Published Friday, June 6, 2008
NATCHEZ — Recognizing a need for drastic changes at the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society’s shelter, two locals have stepped up in big way to help secure the shelter’s future in the county.
Vidal Davis and Dan Bland donated two acres of land that will one day facilitate the society’s new shelter.
The land, near Copiah-Lincoln Community College, is valued at approximately $100,000.
Bland said donating land seemed like the right thing to do.
Photo by Steve VanGunda
The current Natchez-Adams County Humane Society shelter is small, in disrepair and unable to serve the needs of the area’s animals, officials say.
“It’s about to break my heart,” Bland said of the shelter’s current condition.
And Bland is not the only one who has recognized an undeniable need for a new shelter.
Shelter manager Pat Cox said the shelter is in terrible condition.
“It’s old and falling apart,” she said.
In fact the current shelter was never meant to be a shelter at all.
Former president of the Humane Society, Linda Harper, said the building was originally an office or office storage building.
The building was converted for the Humane Society’s needs in 1982 and has been operating as such since then.
The land the shelter sits on now will likely be sold with the proceeds going to the new build fund, Cox said.
And Cox said not only is the shelter in poor condition, it’s also too small to accommodate all its occupants.
“We’re just in dire need of a bigger facility,” she said.
And the newly donated land will hopefully make that dire need obsolete.
Davis said he spent much of the past year traveling the South visiting other animal shelters to find a design that would best suit the needs of the Adams County area.
“We wanted to get some ideas that would work well here,” he said.
In addition to donating land to the project, Davis is also on the building committee that’s spearheading the effort to build a new shelter.
Davis said the society currently has about $120,000 in the bank to put toward a new shelter.
“We’re going to need about $750,00 for the shelter,” he said.
Davis said he hopes to see the shelter up and running by spring of 2009.
Private donations and fundraising efforts should make up the difference needed in funding, Davis said.
Davis said he’s also working on a cost analysis that would break down the cost of each room on a per-room basis.
“If a person wants to donate a kennel in someone else’s name, they can,” he said.
And while Cox said the humane society will be forever grateful for Davis and Bland’s donation, the two are quick to note they were not alone in their actions.
Bland said his children have donated their rights to a portion of the land and Davis said his business partner, Conner House, also donated his rights to a portion of the land.
But Bland said no matter where the donation came from, it’s important that project is moving in the right direction.
“We need a safe place for these animals,” Bland said. “It’s something we have to have.”
Comments
Posted by leona (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 12:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
is there grant money available for animal shelters?
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 2:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is such FANTASTIC news! Thank you so much Mr. Bland and Mr. Davis for your compassionate, humane donation, for the sake of the shelter's future. It is so wonderful to hear that some, like yourselves, who are capable of doing, are (doing so). Hopefully there are a couple more compassionate people, who have the means to do so, will join your ranks by stepping up to the plate in helping out with some badly needed monetary donations to go towards this worthwhile cause.
Posted by sportsgirl81 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 4:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is great news! Thank you both for you generosity! It's very much appreciated!
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 4:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW...thank you both so much !
The shelter now is disgusting and I hope so much that thanks to you guys , maybe we will see something humane built soon!
Now, if a few builders would chime in, Just imagine what a wonderful Shelter we could have!
Thanks again so very much for having such huge hearts!
Posted by snatchez (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 6:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what great guys to do that for this community. Now we need other people to get behind this project.
Posted by hellcat (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 7:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bravo! This is fantastic!! I am utterly speechless. Thank You!
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vidal Davis and Dan Bland...I could kiss you smack on your mouths! What a wonderful donation! Conner House and the the Bland kids...thank you too from the bottom of my heart. These precious animals will now be housed appropriately, thanks to your land donation and the donations of all who have given in the name of love.
Why can't someone set up a website for these donations? I saw on the news about a girl who set up a site for donations of CDs, DVDs, magazines, etc. for our troops overseas. It caught on nationwide and now she stays busy packing goodie boxes donated by people like you and me. You know how the Internet is...you can sell a fingernail for $50 if you tried hard enough! I wish I knew how to set up a website...anyone interested? I'm chomping at the bits to help.
Posted by SIOUXLADY (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
KUDOS VIDAL
PAT
Posted by itsmemame (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is it feasible to set up the building of the shelter with volunteer help like Habitat for Humanity? That, to me, seems like a huge money saver although it would take longer to complete the project...... just a thought.
Posted by voiceofreason (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why wasn't the DESIGN TEAM of Charles Maroney (architect who took it to a conceptual stage), Becky Morris (floor plan designer and exterior concept designer) and J & M Printng (providing a color wash of the building) ever mentioned in this article? Tsk. Tsk. Many, many, many hours of donated time by the design team have been done behind the scenes to get to this point.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets hope this doesn't turn out like PAWS in Ferriday.
kpage that's a great idea about the internet. Another idea would be to put jars on store counters for donations & the first place to put one is on the casino. If everyone would put a quarter in for everytime time they put one in a slot machine these precious animals would live the life of luxury.
MissLou get a heart & make a difference. Everyone has suggestions about how to change the area well this would be the perfect way to start.
If you have teenagers that have nothing better to do put them to work weekends. Take the computes, cell phones etc. away & make them do something productive.
For all the compassionate people that are making this possible THANK YOU!!!!
Posted by natsanus (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
God will touch your heart because you are showing you care for the anminals. Thank you.
Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vidal is a very nice human being and this just proves it!
Posted by cchat123 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There are homeless-drug addicted-spouses affected by domestic violence-and abused children in need as well. The stewpot needs money to continue its mission.
Yes! there is a need for an upgraded animal shelter, but $750,000...Natchez can't have that many homeless animals...dang the populous of Adams County was only
18,464 people, 7,591 households, and 4,858 families residing in the city in 2000 according to U.S.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good idea, dixie!!!!!! I believe I have something for my pre-teen to do now when she says she's bored...and she loves animals. Thanks dixie.
The article didn't include the info on Charles Maroney, Becky Morris, and J & M Printing, as <<voiceofreason>> pointed out. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Posted by voiceofreason (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shame on you ochat123 - in our throw away society (and in this region it appears to be above average) animals are discarded on the streets the way trash is discarded - out the window!
Go to the current humane society and you'll see that the homeless live a more decent life than those animals. A new shelter is just a small step in improving our community and our image and $750k is cheap.
Posted by 3on23 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Another thing that anyone in the community to do to help the shelter is to ADOPT an animal. There are always animals available. Most of them are "mutts" but through personal experience these have had fewer medical problems than some of the full-blooded pets I have owned. If you don't want a "mutt" then many times they have full-blooded animals available. Every once in a while they also will have animals other than dogs or cats.
Just go see what they have. Who knows, you may find your next best friend. One that loves you unconditionally because you rescued them and gave them a new forever home.
Please don't forget that they also take donations of food, newspapers, aluminum cans, cleaning supplies, and old crates or kennels that you don't need.
Please spay and neuter the pets you already own.
Posted by vilou09 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
cchat123.. there's only the Natchez-Adams Shelter around our area to take in the animals. People from Ferriday and Clayton have to come all this way just to use our shelter in Natchez, because Ferriday doesn't have one anymore.
Wonderful idea, and a BIG THANK YOU to the people that came up with this idea!! Its been breaking my heart for years seeing the shelter in that kind of condition. The smell.... the cramped quarters... its just competely heartwrenching to have to see.
Thank God someone's finally doing something about it!!
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks to the seen and the un-seen involved in this fantastic project . You are all good guys and gals ! We adopted our dog from a foster home years ago and he has been the greatest pet ever for us . My grandson (10 yrs. old ) has even asked if he could have him when we die ? Hee!Hee! He's a sweetie pie ! cchat123 , I wish we had enough money to help every living soul . Or better yet I wish every living soul didn't need help . But that's not real life. Right now Natchez has the opportunity to do something kind and humane and I'm all for it . You know this will generate a few jobs, don't you ?
Posted by therannmann (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i was just heartbroken having to visit the shelter a couple of years ago. thanks SO much for the donation of land, and the plans to build a new and modern facility! with the number of positive comments on the news this morning, i believe the ms-lou is more than ready to stand behind and help with the cost of building a new facility. fundraisers? we will make them successful. this has been so needed for so long. congratulations--and thank you!
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
cchat123
I agree, but humans create most of their misery. Animals are dependant on humans for help.
If I could I would adopt every homeless animal I see, but I already have two canine furbabies & 3 feline furbabies. Every stray animal in the area knows there is a food bowl in my yard that is always there for a handout including skunks, opossum, raccoons etc. Of course my neighbors don't like it, but they don't own my yard.
freedom42 I'm sure you are happy to hear about this.
Posted by snatchez (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sayitloud- why did you thank vidal and not Dan. both are great guys. you seem like a mean person, why?
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh wow, I'm thrilled! Maybe now I won't have so many dropped at my house! My husband already calls us the auxillary shelter! LOL Truely this is good news and for the info of those who don't understand:
2 cats (un-nutered/un-spayed) can produce 4 - 6 litters a year averaging 5 per litter. Each of those 30 cats reach sexual maturity in 6 months. By the end of 1 year you could have over 300 cats just from the original mating pair. Dogs are not much different, but usually only have 2 litters a year. Add to that puppy mills which turn out hundreds puppies a year, most of which have many health problems and end up on the streets. It is a overwhelming problem and our shelter is only a drop in the bucket in helping solve the problem. Please spay or neuter your pets! Adopt a pet from the shelter or buy from a reputable breeder. Please don't think about breeding "just one litter", it is more trouble than it is worth in the long run, and can be very costly when adding up all the extra vet bills and medications. I thank you and so do all my fur babies.
Posted by bland (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thank everyone for the nice comments. My good friend, Vidal and the late Dr. Gene Taylor, deserve a round of applause behind this donation. Now lets get together and raise some money for the building. dan bland
Posted by Tanna (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 2:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
On behalf of Vidal and I, I would like to thank everyone for the kind words. Now we've got the big job of raising the money. Pass the word to all of your friends that donations to the building fund can be made by sending donations the Natchez Humane Society Building Fund. Please specify "building fund" on your donation. With everyone's help, Natchez will have a fabulous shelter that we can be proud of.
Thank you,
Tanna Davis
Posted by ozzette (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 3:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My husband is an electrician, and told me he'd be willing to donate his time on the weekends to wiring...and on the note of volunteering, I have went to the shelter twice myself offereing to volunteer to clean cages and such, and all they ever tell me to do it put my name and phone number down on a piece of paper..they never call, so they obviously must not need much help...
Posted by mapl (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope when the new shelter is built they will hire some polite and compassionate people to work there. The ones I have had to deal with and from the reports of others are very rude and not helpful most of the time.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is wonderful news. I too would be interested in donating my time and expertise not only as an architect, but also because I just finished designing Louisiana's new disaster preparedness animal shelter in Jackson LA which is now under construction. Much of the knowledge and experience gained designing that facility would prove valuable in this one.
This building type has undergone tremendous change in the last few years due to technological advances and has also become somewhat specialized. I'm not trying to take away from the "design team", which I'm sure has done a great job getting the shelter to the conceptual stage, but now is the time to design a state-of-the-art facility and have it on the shelf ready to go pending the completion of fund-raising.
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Very, very good and generous donation. Thanks Dan and Vidal. We are fortunate to have people like you in the community.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In order to volunteer you really need to talk to one of the board members - Pat Cox, Linda Harper, I don't know who else right now. I think insurance may be a problem for letting casual volunteers in. People are so sue happy these days, it doesn't pay to take a chance. Also, if you want to volunteer, do so specifically. Tell them what you can do - walk dogs, give baths, clean kennels (very nasty work), pick up donations, whatever. They also need donations of alum. cans for resale and newspapers to line the kennels. Used carry cages and dog pens are always welcome. And you can always join the Humane Society and be a real part of it.
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How about a 'mega yard sale' to help raise funds? With the vast increase in the cost for fuel, groceries, and everything else, many people (like me) really want to help with $$$ donations but just are not able to at this time, but have plenty of extra nice stuff around the house that can be donated to go towards a yard sale. Even the donation of time to help with the set up and sale of the items.
Posted by muffinrules (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Animals, and abused children are the same yes that's right they are both totally dependant on us as adults for their well being..............I just do not understand why a community would sink sooo much money in opera, when there are more worthy things to do with our money, like the humane society I would love to see many 30,000 checks going to the humane society!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 6, 2008 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
muffinrules...as human beings I think the support and nurturing of animals, children, culture and arts are all important...these are things that help define our humanity...I don't think that we should be divisive here...the opera is important, certainly more to some than others, just like the humane society is to you...why couldn't we and shouldn't we support them all as each individual sees fit?
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 3:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
muffinrules I hope that you did not mean it the way it sounds when you stated that animals and abused children are the same. I agree Adams county needs a good animal shelter but cchat was right when they said $750,000 was a lot of money when there are shelters for human beings that could use some of that money.
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 5:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ozzette, I read your post and I am not shocked that the employees at the shelter treat you that way.
My husband and I went to DONATE money, and they told us we would have to come back later, I was like ...wow....
We called Nan Garrison, and she took our donation and appologized for them.
I guess, in a sense, you do have to be a tad bit calloused to work there, because if not, you would cry every single day, and want to take every dog home...but Darn, you don't have to be that hateful.
Maybe the new shelter wont be as depressing as this one is and maybe the people working there will be nicer.
And how sweet of your husband to offer free electrical work, that is awesome!
Posted by msubulldog (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 5:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To all the folks that are working to make this happen "Thanks a million". If some type of fundraiser is established let me know. I work for 107 and 104 radio station's we can and will get the word out. By the way there is a fundraiser coming up for the shelter on the 14th. Contact Sarah at Mustang Sally's for more info.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
cchat...rattlesnake...$750,000.00 is probably about right for the cost of the new shelter, depending on the number of animals to be housed, what kind of mixture such as large canine vs. small canine vs. feline.
The cost could also be more if the shelter is also to operate as a clinic as well with surgery, examination, lab, etc. There will also be consideration of if and how you handle quarantine of sick or feral animals and animals that are deemed to be dangerous or involved in court cases.
People don't realize the specialty costs either such as individual cage or run ventilation...special waste water and solid waste handling like trench drains and high pressure hoses in the runs...guillotine doors to allow dogs to travel from the interior of a run to the exterior...exercise yards...special run gates with visual blank off panels...cage banks for smaller animals...there is a lot more to this shelter than is immediately apparent to the casual observer.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And don't forget the hooved animals need special care also. Many horses, cows, goats are abandonded or mistreated every day, and right now there is no place to hold them if the humane society gets them.
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom42...You're right, of course, but I wasn't even going there knowing it was a bridge too far.
Posted by muffinrules (anonymous) on June 8, 2008 at 3:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rattlesnack? your call name says it all, and I did mean that abused animals and children are THE SAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on June 9, 2008 at 2:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
muffinrules your last comment says a lot about you! Animals and kids are the same??? IF you had children what did you name them? Maybe rover or lassie or maybe old yeller.
Posted by muffinrules (anonymous) on June 9, 2008 at 5:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
goldie louise, rattlesnake, and i still stand by what i've said..we as humans are responsible for animals and children who are both totally dependent on us for their well being. I read an article recently that stated the same, and people who abuse or neglect animals are the same as child abusers...what is the name of your child? SKELETAR,
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on June 9, 2008 at 7:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
goldie louise, that sounds like a golden retreiver. but i still say theres a big difference between animals and children. But thanks for the name of my next pitt bull. SKELETAR.
Posted by muffinrules (anonymous) on June 9, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, I was certain you owned pitt bulls, probably chained outside along with your children, and both are bread to fight.. that's why I'm outta of here for good....
Posted by rattlesnake (anonymous) on June 9, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
muffinrules my pitts are verry well cared for and have never been fought. But my kids I teach how to fight but more importent when to fight.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 9, 2008 at 5:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You two are funny! My kids and my foster kids all come first, just a little, ahead of my animals of course. But my animals all do have names normally considered human, now that I think of it. Guess because I consider them my kids too! I knew a girl in school named Goldie also, but that was years ago. Also knew a Bambi. As Shakespeare says, "What's in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."
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