Decorative wood plaques available

Right now there aren’t as many dogs and cats at the Lawrence County Animal Shelter as there have been. The reason for much of that is the partnership between the shelter and various rescue groups. This week a rescue group from Canton took one kitten and 24 mother dogs with puppies.

But that can change soon.

So those who run the shelter are trying to stockpile supplies that will be much needed later this year.

“We don’t have the kitten population, but once spring hits we will be bringing in the big litters,” Melissa Nicely, pound keeper said.

That’s when there will be the need for such things as litter. To cover those costs the shelter is selling decorative plaques to raise money. They are all 12-inches long and handcrafted by PB&J Creations of Lynchburg, Virginia. Cost is $10.

Typically when the cat shelter is full, the shelter will use 25 10-pound bags a month.

This past June was the opening of the cat shelter that provides separate housing, away from the dog kennels.

“It is working out really good,” Nicely said. “It is nice and insulated. There are infrared heaters to keep it warm and there are ceiling fans to circulate the heat.”

The plaques are available at the pound Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. If anyone in the eastern end is interested in purchasing a plaque, Nicely said she would meet them in the Chesapeake area, instead of requiring them to come to Ironton.

Also dog tags will be half price through January at $12. After Feb. 1, tags go up to $24.