Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >> Dan Bates / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Mandy, a calico cat, spends the day atop a warm computer monitor in the Camano Island Animal shelter office recently, while a sign (upper left) points dogs to the back door.   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Camano Island animal shelter's money running out 3/28/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, April 7, 2008 Camano Animal Shelter gets much-needed help By Scott Pesznecker Heral Writer CAMANO ISLAND -- An outpouring of community support has generated thousands of dollars in money and supplies for Camano Island's cash-strapped animal shelter. More than 100 people have donated to the Camano Animal Shelter during the past week, since The Herald reported the shelter was expected to fall about $25,000 short of meeting this year's $130,000 projected budget. Cash donations to the shelter exceeded $7,000, shelter manager Lyn­ette Lawson said. Other donations included pet food, cat litter, bleach and detergent. "It's starting to slow down now, but it was unbelievable right after that story came out," Lawson said. "A lot of people knew the shelter was here, but they had no idea we were in need to that extent." The shelter, at the intersection of N. East Camano Drive and Can Ku Road, is staffed by two part-time managers and four part-time employees. Several volunteers assist with day-to-day operations. The shelter's revenues have decreased while costs have increased for things such as supplies, medical treatment and staffing. Debbie Otava of Everett sent a $50 check to the shelter after reading about it in the newspaper. Her sister, who lives on Camano Island, donated cat food that she didn't need. "Animals are helpless, and we've domesticated them," Otava said. "It's kind of our responsibility to take care of them, because they can't take care of themselves." More than 40 people have inquired about adopting five kittens that were pictured with the story in The Herald, Lawson said. The kittens will be eligible for adoption Tuesday. Many people visited the shelter during the past week just to see the animals and tour the facilities, Lawson said. "It's great, it's super, it's unbelievable for us," she said. Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.

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