By David Esteppe
It was not exactly a clearance sale, but an ingenious plan by the Greenbrier Humane Society (GHS) to enrich the community with the love of its animals available for adoption.
The first, possibly annual, “Clear the Shelter” event was held last Saturday. The shelter went into open house mode and all available dogs and cats had all fees waived for the day.
Board of directors member Shirley Runyon said that people were lined up by 7:30 a.m. for the event which began at 10 a.m.
By the end of the day, 65 animals were adopted by their fur-ever families. There were only three dogs and one cat left; however all of the other animals available for adoption were taken, leaving the goal of clearing the shelter all but achieved.
News of the success spread on social media and the remaining animals had their fees waived for a few more days to address the community’s concern for these last few animals in finding a home too. The ploy worked, and the cat was adopted at the top of the week. The three remaining dogs are still available, and they have been privately sponsored. They will be free for any loving families who come to the shelter and claim them as their own.
Animal Home Finder Amy Powers explained that one of the highlights for shelter workers was the long-time shelter resident, a dog named Echo, finding a special home, after having been left un-adopted at a previous event at Taste Of Our Town on Oct. 10. A husband and wife traveling on vacation passed through Lewisburg and hit upon the T.O.O.T. festival, met Echo, and really wished they could have been there for the Catahoula leopard breed.
Echo weighed on the couple’s mind for the weeks as they traveled. They made their way back to Lewisburg for this event and claimed Echo as their own. And that is how friendship is done – take a lesson.
GHS would like to send special thank you to event supporters: The Greenbrier Sporting Club, Mobile Grooming by Janice, Jim’s Drive-In, Gillespie’s Flowers, Deb’s Amusements, WVVA, 59 News, WV Daily News, 103.1 The Bear and the dedicated volunteers.
An extra thank you goes to the auction donors: Second Look Thrift Store, The Bakery on Court Street, Cakes and Cones, The French Goat, Aggie’s Gift Shop, Food & Friends, Sunnyside Cafe, Brushed by Amy, Bella the Corner Gourmet, The Wild Bean and private donors.
The public lining up at the door of the Greenbrier Humane Society’s “Clear the Shelter” event last Saturday.
Love at first sight at the “Clear the Shelter” event at the Greenbrier Humane Society.