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C-PAC Still Trying to Curb Animal Over-Population
By Steve Keenan/For The Register-Herald
BECKWITH - All Patti Payne and Stacey Workman are asking for is a little compassion.
A little common sense wouldn't hurt, either.
The two women - at the forefront of attempts to control Fayette County's animal
over-population - simply wish county residents would exercise sound judgment
when and if they decide to take an animal home.
"Sometimes (the number of unwanted animals) is overwhelming," says
Payne, the director of the Fayette County Animal Control Center, which is housed
in a fairly new facility located just past the Fayette County Park. The center
was relocated to Milroy Grose Road for about two years when the 2001 flood
destroyed the original shelter at the park.
"The public does not know that there are laws that protect animals. They
aren't educated enough on the laws about vaccinations, upkeep, sterilization,
etc.
"And they think they can just dump an animal, maybe in a rich neighborhood,
and someone will pick it up."
Workman joins Payne in urging animal owners to assume responsibility for their
pets.
"Many people don't want to take responsibility and spay or neuter their
pets," said Workman, the county's sole dog warden who works under the
supervision of the sheriff's office. "They have puppies or kittens and dump
them on somebody else's property. There's no excuse for it."
The numbers don't lie, Payne says.
"Fayette County has such a surplus of animals," she said, largely
because many other states have "stricter laws concerning spaying and
neutering."
In 2003, the shelter admitted 1,540 dogs and wound up euthanizing 897 of them.
The others were either re-claimed by their owners (92), adopted by the public
(192), sent to a rescue organization (229) or died in the shelter or were dead
on arrival (18).
Of the 852 cats admitted during the same time span, 581 were euthanized, five
were re-claimed, 89 were adopted by the public, 49 were sent to rescue
organizations and 10 died.
In recent months, the rate doesn't seem to have slowed. Workman alone says she
collected 63 dogs and 14 cats in July. In June, it was 58 and 23. April was a
particularly fruitful month, with 100 dogs, 14 cats and a chicken.
"I was tired," Workman recalled.
"As you can tell, there are more animals than there are homes in Fayette
County," Payne said. "If everyone would spay and neuter their pets,
these numbers wouldn't mean a thing.
"Spaying and neutering is the only way to stop the needless killing of
unwanted animals in our county, in our state and in our world."
While re-claiming and adoption put some of the strays in homes, the center also
works closely with such organizations as Virginia-based Homeward Trails Animal
Rescue to transfer the animals to homes in mostly urban areas. In two years,
that group has adopted about 700 Fayette animals and placed them in new homes.
"That program's working," Payne said. "Homeward Trails has been
so gracious."
Workman's normal work days are Tuesday through Friday, but she's on call the
other three days.
"It's a 24-7 situation," she said. "I'm worn out."
The job might not seem so tiring if people had a little patience.
"They want me to come right now," she said of calls that take her to
all ends of a geographically diverse county. "I can never be quick
enough."
Workman noted the sheriff's department and local prosecutors are making some
headway into pursuing animal cruelty charges.
"There's been more of an emphasis," she said. "We've taken
several cases to court, and we've won some."
* * * *
Spay-neuter program well known at shelter
Citizens for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty - funded by the Fayette County
Commission - is the nonprofit agency that coordinates operation of the animal
shelter and its eight employees.
"Our low-cost spay-neuter program is the thing we're most known for,"
Patti Payne said of C-PAC. "It has done remarkably well."
From the time of the program's inception in July 1999 to this past June, about
3,800 animals have been sterilized.
The cost for spaying or neutering is $20 per animal, well below normal charges
of $60 to $100. An anonymous donor pays for female dogs to be spayed for free.
For more information on the spay-neuter program, call 574-2105.
C-PAC meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the
Pancake House in Fayetteville.
"The goal of C-PAC is to sterilize as many animals as possible and to
educate the public on responsible pet ownership," Payne noted. "Most
people want to do the right thing."
"And we take very good care of the animals that come to the shelter,"
she added.
For more information, to become a member or to make a donation, write: C-PAC,
Inc., P.O. Box 955, Fayetteville, WV 25840, or call 574-2105.
New members are always welcome, Payne says. Annual individual membership costs
just $10, while families can join for $15. Dues are collected in July of each
year.
To see a photo of Patti Payne, the Director of the Fayette County Animal Control Center, (FCACC) holding one of the pets, Cocoa, Click Here.
Copied and pasted from The Register-Herald’s web site, Monday, August 23, 2004.
Fayette Animal Shelter Request for Additional Fund Denied
FAYETTEVILLE - Facing tough economic times the Fayette County Commission told the county’s animal control center director, Patti Payne, who appeared before the commission with a budget request for C-PAC (Citizens for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty) that she will have to do with her current budget.
Patti Payne detailed the salary of her current eight-person staff (down from 10 a couple of months ago), as well as expenditures needed to keep the Fayette County Animal Control Center (FCACC) running smoothly and allow the staff to maintain control of the county’s "animal overpopulation."
Commissioner Matt Wender asked Payne if she could continue to operate with eight employees at the new shelter, which was built at Fayette County Park in October 2003 after the shelter was temporarily relocated to Milroy Grose Road following 2001 flooding.
"It runs really, really tight (with eight employees)," she said. "It’s stressful and tight, but it can be done with eight."
Commissioner Wender said, "We are having a tough budget year. If you can just buckle your chin strap..."
Payne warned that, in light of the budget not receiving a boost, services will suffer.
"What it boils down to is, if the budget decreases, we will not be able to keep 110 animals (daily). Euthanization will go up." Payne estimated the shelter now euthanizes about 100 animals weekly.
Payne says a continual problem is the county’s general attitude toward animals. "The community of Fayette County does not want these animals. Fayette County, to be honest does not care. The public doesn’t care what our budget is; that won’t stop them from bringing in animals. And if we decrease our animal intake, the public will be outraged."
Summarization from The Register-herald, Saturday, June 26, 2004. Reporter, Steve Keenan
FCACC "Opening House" a Great Success
Saturday, May 8, 2004, being a beautiful Spring day, I journeyed to Fayetteville, WV to attend the "Open House" of the new addition of the Fayette County Animal Control Center (FCACC) animal shelter which is located at Beckwith, WV. Although, I had visited the FCACC complex during the Summer of 2003 and saw the renovation of the existing FCACC ‘s animal shelter which was ravaged by the flood of July 2001 and the construction of the new addition where the main office and many pets would be housed, I was anxious to see the end results of two these projects.
Patti Payne, the director of the FCACC, and her staff with Earl Pauley, the director of the Fayette County Park, and staff hosted this event. Mr. Pauley and his men played a major role in renovating the pre-existing animal shelter and they aided and directed the new construction of the FCACC. To say these two organizations rolled out the "red carpet" for their guests during this event is putting it mildly.
During this event, delicious treats were served, pets were adopted, items were sold to help fund the FCACC shelter, and people of great importance who have contributed to the success of the Fayette County Animal Control Center being a viable, caring, and compassionate animal shelter were honored with placard designating their achievement.
Yet as I reflect upon this occasion, it has dawned on me that many who deserved praise or a placard, did not receive one. But there is a saying, the photographer is the only one who doesn’t get his photo taken of a group and so those who were honoring others at this occasion, did not bestow honors upon themselves.
May I pay tribute to the Citizens of the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, Inc. (C-PAC) who initiated a spay and neuter program for the pets in Fayette County in March 1999, and honorably oversees the FCACC. May I pay tribute to Patti Payne, the FCACC Director, and her secretary, Susie Gee, and their staff who operate the FCACC not through the love of power but through the power of love for our animal friends. May I pay tribute to Earl Pauley, The Fayette County Park Director, his secretary, Peggy Bennet, and all his staff for making sure the FCACC complex is the best. And last but not least, may I pay tribute to all of those I have failed to pay tribute to for their part in making the FCACC a place where each can say with pride, "We have done our very best for our animal companions."
To see photos of the "Open House" event of the new FCACC complex. Please, Click Here.
Sam Amato 5-28-2004
Fayetteville opens new animal shelter
By Steve Keenan/For The Register-Herald
FAYETTEVILLE - Fayette County officials are preparing to unveil their new
animal control center.
County commission members were briefed on the new center at their regular
meeting Tuesday.
Patti Payne, director of the Fayette County Animal Control Center at Beckwith,
announced the shelter will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
"There's a lot of people who don't know we've moved and a lot who don't
know Fayette County has an animal shelter," Payne said. "You don't
have to dump your animals. There is an animal shelter."
The shelter is located one-half mile past the Fayette County Park (4-H camp) on
the left. It opened in its new location on Laurel Creek Road after being located
temporarily on Milroy Grose Road following the floods of 2001. "We're well
above the flood plain now," she stressed.
At Tuesday's meeting, Emergency Services Director Steve Cruikshank told the
commission the insurance premium for the center's three buildings will begin at
$580 annually.
Commission president Ken Eskew says he's excited to see the new center up and
running.
"I think it's greatly improved," he said. "Potentially, we've got
a real fine facility that will serve the people well."
Payne said the center staff hopes to have some animals adopted during this
weekend's open house.
Payne said, in addition to local individuals, the center's staff works with
rescue organizations around the country to adopt out some of the animals taken
into the shelter.
"If you work with a rescue organization, especially with your breed
animals, they know all about that animal and how to care for it because they
specialize. Some of the organizations are out of state, but I'd rather (the
animals) go there than in the Raleigh County landfill," she said.
Regular center hours are 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The
center can be reached by phone at 574-3682.
Taken from The Register-Herald’s web site, Wednesday, May 5, 2004
FCACC to Hold an Open House on their
New Shelter
To All,
C-PAC had their regular membership meeting on Monday, March 29, 2004 and a date for the OPEN HOUSE of the newly built Fayette County Animal Control Center’s (FCACC) animal shelter has been decided on. Saturday, May 8, 2004, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., is the date and time for the OPEN HOUSE at the new animal shelter. This date was decided on by the Board of Directors, membership, shelter staff, Earl Pauley and Peggy Bennett.
I plan to mail out invitations by Friday, April 16, 2004 so if there are certain people or businesses that need to be invited, please have that list prepared and sent to me by Monday, April 12, 2004.
Many plans are already in progress to make this Open House event a success and everyone are working very hard to get this day pulled off without any flaws.
We are very please that Earl Pauley, the superintendent of the Fayette County Park, and his staff will be assisting us with the Opening House Event. Mr. Pauley has been a major force in overseeing the construction and participating in the building of the previous animal shelter which was damaged by the flood in July 2001 and likewise has operated in the same respect in building the new addition to the animal shelter which is on higher grounds and making repairs on the damaged existing shelter which now is useable to house more of our animal friends.
The next regular membership C-PAC meeting will be Tuesday, April 27, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pancake House between Fayetteville and Oak Hill on Rt. 19 South. The next meeting will be to discuss the OPEN HOUSE which will be on Monday, May 3, 2004 at the animal shelter. Everyone is more than welcome to attend this meeting and I'm sure we'll be able to find something for everyone to do to make the Open House event a success.
To get to the FCACC Shelter, From U.S. Rt. 19 Intersection in Fayetteville, turn onto Rt. 16 North and travel 4.3 miles, then turn left onto Fayette Co. Park Road. Travel 1.1 miles and then veer to the left onto a one lane-paved road, then travel 1/2 mile and turn left (go across bridge). Please drive up the hill to the new shelter.
From the Gauley Bridge/Ansted areas (Rt. 60 east or west) will run into Rt. 16 South at Chimney Corner. Once on Rt. 16 South (going toward Fayetteville) travel 4 miles and turn right onto Fayette Co. Park Road. Travel 1.1 miles and then veer to the left onto a one lane-paved road, then travel 1/2 mile and turn left (go across bridge). Please drive up the hill to the new shelter
We are looking for a big turn out at the Open House of our newly built animal shelter on Saturday, May 8, 2004, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and we thank you in advance for attending it.
Please click the following link to see just a few projects we had ongoing concerning our animal shelter when this album was made. You will be amazed to see it now since all has been completed.
http://groups.msn.com/HelpingHandsForOurAnimalFriends/fcacc.msnw?Page=1
Thank you for your time and we all are looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, May 8, 2004, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m..
Patti Payne
Fayette County Animal Control Center Director
P.S. Please check out our web site on the wvpetpages’s homepage to see just
a few of the loveable animal we have for adoption. Adopt, you will never regret
saving a life.
4-6-2004
Commission in Fayette Dogged with Animal Cost
FAYETTEVILLE - Fayette County Commission doesn't wish to hound municipalities
about canines, but the county is dogged by expenses at the animal control
shelter and is seeking some sort of relief.
It appears most municipalities are not interested in helping defray costs. Only
one town was represented at what was to be a discussion session with the
commission Monday afternoon.
According to figures compiled by county administrator Charlotte Holly,
expenditures at the shelter from fiscal year 2000-01 to date are $479,797
against revenues of $66,626 through the same period.
Last year, expenses were $166,000 against revenues of nearly $21,000.
So far this fiscal year, expenses are $61,000 against revenues of $8,469.
Some time ago, the county sent a survey to the municipalities addressing the dog
warden and animal shelter issues.
While all towns pretty much agree there is a problem with strays, few actually
committed to a dollar figure.
Oak Hill agreed to pay $4,000, while tiny Gauley Bridge said it could earmark
$100 a year.
Fayetteville said it would consider helping, and that was about it from the
municipalities.
"I'm disappointed that you don't see someone from the cities here,"
remarked Prosecuting Attorney Paul Blake. "This is a significant drain on
county resources and you're trying to get a consensus of what the problem is and
what could be done to remedy it for all the taxpayers in the county."
The town of Ansted was represented by Russell Parker, who says he works
"24/7" as Ansted's dog warden, although dogs are only part of what he
deals with.
Parker told the commission that one problem with stray dogs is that most people
will not claim ownership of one if he picks it up.
In one month in 2002, Parker said he picked up 82 dogs. "Nobody claimed the
first one," he said.
The animals were taken to the county animal shelter.
Commission President Matt Wender said figures supplied by the shelter indicate
that about 40 percent of the dogs brought to the shelter are out of the county's
municipalities.
Blake said the county should try to establish contracts with the municipalities.
"If you're going to provide a service, you're entitled to charge for that
service a reasonable amount," Blake said.
Commissioner John Lopez returned to the issue of licensing and registering dogs.
"I bet not one fourth of the people in the county register their
dogs," he said. "You can go all through this county, people have four
or five dogs chained up in the yard, nobody paying any taxes on them or
anything. That's been a way of life for years in this county."
Blake said failure to register a dog is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of
$25 to $100.
"How are you going to prove someone owns a dog?" he asked, adding that
much in current statutes covering the matter simply is not realistic.
Sheriff Bill Laird said he doubted if any circumstance would compel the
municipalities to come up with 40 percent of the dog warden and animal shelter
outlay.
"From the survey results, it obviously doesn't appear there's going to be a
great stampede of folks that want to pony up any money in support of these
things," he said.
He added that the original discussion started with the possibility of upgrading
and improving the responsiveness of animal control services.
"Or is it reasonable to expect that one animal control officer can cover
666 square miles 24-7 and pick up stray animals?" he said.
Laird suggested perhaps a service fee from municipalities that would contribute
toward another animal control officer.
Blake said the county can pass an ordinance assessing a per-dog fee.
"And if they chose not to pay it, can we not provide services?" asked
Wender.
"That goes back to the statute," Blake cautioned. "If the city
just goes out of the dog business, how are you not going to provide service
under the statute that says you're obligated to do that countywide?"
Blake said service could be shut off to a city administration that brings dogs
to the shelter, but service can not be shut off to the citizens.
Taken from the Register-Hearld’s web site, Monday, October 27, 2003. Reporter, Neale R. Clark
The FCACC, Moving Forward
On a knoll above the original Fayette County Animal Shelter located on Laurel Creek Road in Fayette County, WV, sits a new complex which will serve as an office for the Fayette County Animal Control Center (FCACC) and also will hold thirty-one adoptable pets. Great progress is being made in restoring the former animal shelter’s buildings that were damaged by the flood of July 8, 2001 and when this is completed, the Fayette County Animal Control Center will be able to house approximately 110 adoptable pets.
As Patti Payne, the director of the Fayette County Animal Control Center, gave me a tour of their new complex and of the renovations being done to the former animal shelter’s building, to say I was impressed is putting it mildly, because the progress that Fayette County has moved in helping our animal friends since the Citizens for Prevention of Animal Cruelty, Inc. (C-PAC) contracted the running of the FCACC from the Fayette County Commission with all the setbacks they have faced since taking it over is truly amazing.
On April 16, 2001, C-PAC took control of the FCACC and even before they could get their feet on the ground, the flood on July 8, 2001 took place ravaging the animal shelter making it no longer useable and C-PAC had to regroup and start from scratch, finding a new dwelling for the animal companions in Fayette County. A temporary shelter in the Songer Building off Milory Grose Road was acquired, and out of nothing while there, the FCACC established an animal shelter that was superb and moved in such a manner that had the Songer Building had to be their permanent resident, C-PAC and the FCACC could lift their head with pride for what they accomplished at that edifice.
Not only did the temporary shelter become a vivacious place in behalf of our animal friends, but the FCACC made their web site just as vivacious in attempting to get their pets adopted. Scores upon scores of pets have been posted on their web site in hopes of getting their pets adopted, but for the FCACC, that wasn’t enough. The FCACC then also began posting photos of their pets on petfinder.org which gave their pets a better chance of being adopted. Also, the FCACC found "No Kill" shelters in other states that would take many of their pets and adopt them out. Yet the FCACC did not stop there, because through C-PAC which offers a low-cost Spayed and Neutered Program, they have succeeded and are still striving in this realm in getting owned pets in Fayette County spayed and neutered, and have done a wonderful job in this area.
So yes, I could say, I was impressed with the new dwelling which I saw, but most of all I was impressed with what C-PAC has accomplished since taking over the FCACC.
As I have watched C-PAC evolved in moving the FCACC forward if there has been anybody I have admired is Patti Payne, the FCACC Director and Susie Gee, the secretary, and all of their staff. These people have moved as I believe a shelter should move. They do not move through the "love of power," but through the ‘‘power of love." I look forwarded in the coming year to see what other heights in assisting our animal companions they will reach.
To learn more about the FCACC and C-PAC, please access their site on the home page.
To see photos of their new shelter and the renovations of the original ones, please Click Here.
FCACC Needs Your Help
The Fayette County Animal Control Center (FCACC) in Fayetteville, WV needs your help. The FCACC needs help with the transportation of animals that are being adopted from the Fayette County Animal Control Center by rescue shelters out of the state which guarantees them a loving home. The majority of their transports are from Fayetteville, WV. to Lexington, VA. It is approximately a 2 1/2 hour trip (one way). The ending result is that more animals are going into good loving homes and fewer animals are being euthanized.
Please help and volunteer to transport. Save A Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Contact the FCACC by calling 304-658-4202.
Thank you.
Patti Payne
Director of the FCACC
FCACC Deserves Praise
The Fayette County Animal Shelter is to be praised for their attempt to get the pets under their care adopted via Internet. Under the directions of Patti Payne, the director of the FCACC, the organization not only has an MSN web site on wvpetpages.com, but has expanded their horizon and are now showing pets for adoption from the shelter on Petfinder.org.
Petfinder, a very well known web site, gives care givers of our animal friends the opportunities to post their photos of pets for adoption and for the organization to promote their agenda. (9-2002)
New Fayette Animal Shelter May Go Out to Bid Next Week
FAYETTEVILLE - The Fayette County Commission may put the new county animal shelter out for bid next week.
The panel got an update Wednesday from county park superintendent Earl Pauley and other working on the project.
Ken Eskew, a member of the county Transition Team, said the successful on the project would essential raise a shelter building and put in partitions.
Pauley said county workers will finis the interior.
The new building will be built on the same property on which the old shelter was located. That facility was severely damaged by last summer’s floods. Two of those buildings will be salvaged.
The new shelter would be self-contained under one roof, measure 110 by 44 feet and contain a number of offices, a sick room, vet room, food room, separate rooms for dogs and cats and euthanasia room.
The county has a contract with the Citizens for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty to operate the shelter.
Typed verbatim from The Register-Herald, Thursday, August 29, 2002. Reporter, Neale R. Clark.
FCACC and C-PAC, Need Your Help
The Fayette County Animal Control Center (FCACC) is getting a new shelter. It will be built where the original shelter was that was destroyed during the flood of July 2001, although higher up on the hill so it will be out of danger of flooding. Prior to the flood, Citizens for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, Inc. (C-PAC) took over the management of the FCACC complex.
As of August 20, 2002, bidding has begun on the construction of the new shelter. C-PAC is in hopes that citizens will donate additional monies needed to help support the rebuilding of the FCACC.
Donations are tax deductible and can be sent to: C-PAC Inc., P.O. Box 955, Fayetteville, WV 25840. For additional information, please call the FCACC at 1-304-658-4202 or C-PAC at 1- 304-658-4123.
Please access C-PAC’s web site on the wvpetpages.com’ homepage and check out "C-PAC NEWS" for more details concerning this matter. 8/24/2002
FCACC Animal Shelter is to be Rebuilt
The Fayette County Commission on Wednesday, June 5 stated that the county will devote $90,000 toward rebuilding the animal shelter at the Beckwith location.
The former facility was destroyed by last summer’s flooding.
Cleanup of the site is to begin immediately with two building to be erected later.
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Friday, June 7, 2002. Reporter, Neal R. Clark
Fayette County's FCACC and C-PAC's Web Site are on Line
On March 8, 2002, the Fayette County Animal Control Center (FCACC) web site was put on-line. The FCACC, the animal shelter in Fayette County, is now housed in a temporary facility for their animal shelter. During the flood of July 2001, the newly built animal shelter was destroyed and was deemed unusable by FEMA.
On March 9, 2002, the Citizens for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, Inc. (C-PAC) web site was on-line. C-PAC, founded in 1999 by a group of Fayette County’s citizens, is the first spayed/neutered organization in Fayette County. C-PAC is becoming a very viable organization and oversees the FCACC.
Congratulations to FCACC and C-PAC for taking the initiative
to make a web site. May it serve them well and the "good news" of them
moving forward is to be praised.
3-12-2002
Dog Warden Gets More Bite
Commissioners link position to law enforcement
FAYETTEVILLE- Giving the dog warden more teeth was a bone Fayette County commissioners chewed on Wednesday.
Sheriff Bill Laird told the panel that law allows him to designate either a deputy or the dog warden, or both, to act as humane officers within the county.
The commissioner gave Laird the nod to appoint dog warden Bert Lawhorn as a humane officer, as well as to designate a deputy within the sheriff’s department as humane officer.
Laird said that would provide Lawhorn a link into the department, giving him a primary contract person, "so that he’s not out there sort of floating as an island unto himself."
Lawhorn’s new status does not give him authority to issue citations, which still must be handled through the sheriff’s department.
The relevance of citation was underscored by Lawhorn’s report that a case of animal abandonment has just been resolved this morning.
Patti Payne, manager of the county animal control shelter, said animal abandonment is one of few situations the shelter currently is able to address.
"Since the July floods, the animal control facility is on temporary emergency basis only," she said. "We can’t help very many strays."
The former shelter at Beckwith was destroyed in the floods and the current facility operates out of the former Songer Whitewater Facility on U.S. 19.
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Friday, February 8, 2002. Reporter, Neale R. Clark
Commission OKs Rate Hikes at Animal Control Center
FAYETTEVILLE-The Fayette County Commission Monday approved a request for rate hikes at the Fayette County Animal Control Center.
The commission approved a request by Patti Payne, shelter manager, to add a housing fee of $5 per day for dogs when they are reclaimed by their owners. There is a $25 reclaim fee already in place for dogs which are picked up by the dog warden. The commission approved the request for the additional housing fee, as well as a $15 fee for dogs whose owners request euthanization of the animal.
Payne also announced to the commission that the county animal control center, along with the Humane Society of Raleigh County, will not immediately release pets that have been adopted from Dec. 15 through Jan. 1, but will instead issue gift certificates. Animals adopted through Jan. 1 will be released Jan. 2 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the presentation of the gift certificate.
The control center will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day. Normal operating hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The shelter may be contacted by calling 658-4202.
Typed verbatim from The Register-Herald, Tuesday, December 18, 2001, reporter, Cheryl Keenan.
Puppy Will be Remembered
Dear Editor:
Thank you so much for the writing the "Puppy" story! I was so touched by the first article and I want to write and thank you for the update, although it had a tragic ending.
My husband and I are animal lovers. It is wonderful to know there are still people out there who are loving and caring for animals. It really makes a statement of how devoted an animal can be and how much an animal can add quality to your life.
"Puppy," we will never forget you.
Larry and Sherrill Patrick
Oak Hill
Copied verbatim from The Fayette Tribune, Thursday, November 8, 2001
--------------------
Thumbnail photo, click to enlarge.
Puppy, named so by Elaine Bragg, who adopted her after she was abandoned in
Kincaid, is pictured earlier this year waiting patiently for her master on the
porch of Kincaid United Methodist Church. (File photo) Courtesy of The
Fayette Tribune
Puppy Waits for Master Ends
KINCAID-Puppy, the dog who captured the hearts of Fayette Tribune readers around the nation with her faithfulness, devotion, and love for her master, has died.
Late Tuesday, Puppy disappeared from her home. Since Puppy’s master, Elaine Bragg, was hospitalized and later placed in a convalescent care facility, her neighbor, Clara Kincaid, has taken care of feeding and looking out for Puppy.
Kincaid said Puppy had been on the back porch as usual but disappeared suddenly. She thought maybe someone had taken her away.
Kincaid and her neighbors search diligently for Puppy and even call the animal shelter but to no avail.
On Thursday, a neighbor told Kincaid a dog had been hit by a train nearby. Kincaid discovered Puppy lying beside the railroad tracks. The approximate 17-year-old dog had vision and hearing problems and apparently did not know a train was approaching.
Puppy gained fame around the state and country when the Tribune story or her incredible love and devotion was told first earlier this year.
When the dog was very young, she was thrown from an automobile in Kincaid and was rescued by Bragg. Bragg adopted the dog and cared for her over the years. Puppy slept at the foot of Bragg’s bed and always accompanied her to church, lying down on the porch of the church to await her master’s return.
After Bragg became ill and had to go to a personal care home, Puppy continued her faithful trips to church each Wednesday and twice on Sunday, waiting to see if her master would emerge from the building.
After everyone had left the church, Puppy would look inside to make sure Bragg wasn’t there and then make the trek back to Bragg’s home. Even during cold, wintry months when service were canceled, Puppy made her appearance. Kincaid said she was more faithful than many church members.
It was that devotion that saved Puppy’s life during the horrific flood that ravaged the area on July 8. As usual, Puppy went to the church that Sunday morning, traveling through pouring rain and lying down on the porch to await Bragg.
She stayed there as the water rose, and remained safe because the church is built on higher ground. Neighbors later discovered Puppy’s house dog house far down the creek, totally destroyed.
After Puppy’s story came out in the Tribune, individuals from all over the country have called Kincaid wanting to help with care of the dog. More stopped by to visit, bringing dog food, offering money to pay for her license and even offering to take her home.
Hundreds were touched by the dog’s devotion and some even called the Tribune office offering to take Puppy to see Bragg.
"I will miss her," Kincaid said last week. "Everyone will miss her. The church will miss her."
"She was well loved, just as she loved Mrs. Bragg. We won’t forget her."
Meanwhile, Puppy’s former master is very ill and generally unresponsive after suffering a bout with pneumonia.
Puppy was a story of love and devotion, a story of an animal tossed carelessly away who was adopted by a loving woman who earned the dog’s devotion-undying devotion. As long as Puppy had breath, she never gave up looking for her master.
Typed verbatim from The Fayette Tribune, Monday, October 29, 2001, reporter
Brenda Taylor.
--------------------
Saved by Faith(fulness)
Puppy Survives
Not even the roaring water of Loup Creek, which left its banks and cut a wide swathe of destruction along U.S. Route 61 in the disastrous flood July 8, could phase Puppy, the most famous canine resident of the Page/Kincaid area. Puppy, who gained notoriety after being featured in a Tribune article early this spring, is renowned for regularly "attending" church at the Kincaid United Methodist Church, waiting patiently for the return of his owner, who has been confined to a care facility. Each Sunday, Puppy walks to the church for morning services, just as he did with his master for so many years. He waits on the steps of the church until services are over hoping to see her exit. When the last worshiper leaves, Puppy makes his way back home. Puppy’s devotion has gained him many admires, but on July 8, it may have saved his life as well. In Fact, Puppy was the only parishioner to make it to church that day. While Puppy is safe and well cared for, other animals weren’t so lucky. Many animals perished at Fayette County’s animal shelter at Beckwith, and the shelter has been closed indefinitely until repairs can be made and supplies can be replaced. Animals are being housed in fostered homes and at Nicholas County’s shelter. Anyone who would like to make donations of pet food, cat litter, or any other animal supplies may drop them off at the Auto Zone in Oak Hill.
Copied verbatim from the Fayette Tribune, Sunday, July 22, 2001
News article about Puppy is document further down on this page, titled "Puppy continues to exhibit loyalty."
C-PAC’s Web Site for the FCACC has been Mysteriously Deleted.
Thursday, October 4, 2001, I realized that C-PAC’s web site was no more. Therefore, I have deleted the URL to C-PAC’s web site from the wvpetpages.com’s home page since it is no longer valid.
I am please to announce that I talked to the vice president of C-PAC, Patti Payne, Thursday evening, October 4, 2001, and Patti says within several weeks, C-PAC hopes to be on-line again with a web site. But at this time, more important priorities need to be attended to, and then creating a web site will definitely be done.
Sam Amato
Spay/Neuter Program
C-PAC has established a low-cost spay/neuter program for the residents of Fayette County only. If you meet the guidelines, you can get your cat or dog spayed or neutered for $25.00 or less. You can call C-PAC at 658-4123 or visit the group’s new location at 125 Oak Hill Ave., in Oak Hill. All contributions and/or donations are tax deductible.
Copied verbatim from The Fayette Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2001.
K-9 Units Demonstrate Skills at School
OAK HILL-The drive in front of Collins Middle School was awash in police vehicles Wednesday, and three K-9 units were present as well, but the occasion was not a drug raid, only a demonstration.
Sheriff Deputy Fridley recently became the second county office to specialize in K-9 tactics, joining Deputy Micah Feltner, who has been with the department for several years.
‘In July, we began a community fund-raiser to finance the purchase of an additional K-9 unit for the department," Sheriff Bill Larid said.
‘In a period of about three weeks, we received contributions from 44 separate business and individuals ...that provided adequate monies for the full purchase of an additional K-9 unit."
Larid said the new team will work in conjunction with some of the department school safety initiatives in addition to general patrol and drug work.
Wednesday’s demonstration also involved a K-9 unit from Logan County, which recently went through the training process.
Several police officers, along with some Collins school staff, watched as the dog sniffed marijuana and OxyContin out of lockers, found a weapon on the school lawn and demonstrated response to spoken command.
Fridley and his dog, Niko, trained at August K-9 in Virginia, Larid said, adding that Feltner and his dog, Sid, went through a rectification session as well.
The animals are able to sniff out marijuana, cocaine, crack, methampetamines, heroin, OxyContin and Lortab-"all the various contemporary illegal drugs," Laird said. "In addition to that, the dog is cross-trained in tracking, so it will be of some benefit to us in search and rescue missions."
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Thursday, August 23, 2001. Reporter, Neal Clark.
National Homeless Animal’s Day and
Candlelight Vigil
to be Observed by C-PAC, INC.
On Saturday, August 18, 2001, C-PAC, INC. will hold a Candlelight Vigil at 6:30 P.M. at the New River Camp Ground in Fayette County, West Virginia.
This vigil which is held nationwide is done in behalf of the animals who have and will have to die in shelters for the lack of a home and to emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering companion animals. The vigil is held in accordance with the agenda of the International Society for Animals Rights (ISAR) .
Patty Adkins, the president of C-PAC, INC. says, "We are holding this vigil here in Fayette County, WV for all of the companion animals who have or will have to die in animal shelters because of a lack of a home and hope to spread the message of the importance of spaying and neutering your pets." Patty also says, "A memorial service will also be held at this time for the fifty-four animals that lost their lives at the Fayette County Animal Shelter when the flood of July 8, 2001 engulfed the premises."
Patty Adkins hopes the attendance will be great and that other shelters in other area will hold their own vigil in behalf of our fallen and to be fallen animal friends.
National Homeless Animal’s Day is always on the third Saturday of August each year.
FAYETTE COMMISSION OPTS TO WAIT
The Fayette County Commission decided in a special meeting Friday night to wait before taking action on the flood-ravaged Fayette County animal shelter, although members did vote to move forward with allowing the animals to be moved to a temporary shelter.
FEMA representative Al Kahn told the commissioners that he would have more information concerning the animal shelter, which was severely damaged by the July 8 flooding within the coming week.
According to Patty Adkins, spokeswoman for the Citizens for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty, the organization that operates the animal shelter, the buildings would have to be "totally gutted" if it were to be used again.
The temporary shelter is located in the Songer building off Milory Grose Road, and is accepting new animals only on an emergency basis.
"Those are strictly cases where that animal doesn’t stand a fighting chance unless somebody intervenes," Adkins said.
Summarization from The Register-Herald, Saturday, July 21, 2001. Reporter, Jeri S. Bowles.
UNSURE OF THIS MEMO
Last night as I was watching the local news on WOAY-TV which is in Oak Hill, WV in Fayette County this is what I believe I saw and heard. The FCACC's complex was checked by FEMA and it has been declared unsafe, so it will have to be torn down. You could see FCACC loading things that were able to be salvaged from the complex into a truck. A new location to house the animals will have to be sought. Patty Adkins, the head of the FCACC said money is needed to buy pet food for the animals which are now in their possession.
I checked today's paper in the Register-Herald to see if I could verify this, but saw nothing.
Also, if you will go into "Upcoming Events" and access the Kanawha county Humane Society's website, you will see information about the animals from the FCACC which were relocated to Charleston, WV that were rescued from the flood and when they will be put up for adoption in the Charleston area.
Sam Amato,7-20-2001
FCACC ANIMALS RELOCATED TO WINFIELD, WV
Forty-one cats and dogs rescued from the flooded Fayette County Animal Shelter near Fayetteville are being cared for at a temporary shelter in Winfield run by the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association and the Humane Society.
"These animals are getting fed and those that were sick are looking better," said Anne Culver, director of disaster for the Humane Society in Washington.
All their struggles may be moot if the animals are not adopted during a special adoption day to be held most likely within 10 days, said Donna Pauley Clark, director of the Kanawha -Charleston Humane Association Shelter.
"State law requires that we hold an adult at least five days. When we took these animals in, I told Fayette County Shelter we would hold them for 14 days to give the owners time to claim them." Clark said. "I’m hoping that there are enough kindhearted, good people out there and that we tug at the heartstrings enough, we can find every one of them a home."
To adopt a flood animal victim, donate pet supplies or volunteer to help, contact the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association’s emergency shelter at 1-304-755- 9031.
Taken from The Register-Herald, Tuesday, July 17, 2001, written by Allison Barker, Associate Press Writer
Update: To learn more about the fate of the animals previously housed at the FCACC, please go to the Kanawha Charleston Humane Society.
FCACC Complex, Thumbnail, click to enlarge.
In regards to:
FCACC IN CRISES
Sunday, July 8, 2000, a heavy downpour of rain for approximately five hours pelted the southern part of West Virginia. Many counties were designated by Governor Wise as disaster area and in that list of counties, was Fayette County, West Virginia.
Sadly, mother nature did not spare the Fayette County Animal Control Center (FCACC) in Fayette County and approximately fifty animals drowned as the ravaging water rose above the riverbank and engulfed the building they were in. Luckily, some animals were able to stay a float until help came, and now C-PAC who are the guardians of the FCACC is fighting desperately to salvage what properties they can and the lives of the animals that survive this ordeal.
On different occasions, I tried to call the FCACC to see what was happening, but to no avail, the phone line appeared to always be busy. Although I got a busy tone, upon visiting the FCACC complex, I found that the phone lines are not working. And surmising that eventually, it prompted me on Wednesday, July 11, 2000 to go to the FCACC complex.
What I saw was heartbreaking. The dog complex, which still could house some of the dogs, was a sad sight to see. There was one dog who continuously laid down as I passed by him and you could see the hopelessness on his face. The despair and the howling of the other animals in the dog complex were noticeable. Yet, I saw the FCACC workers continuously trying to make a bad situation better.
The cat complex must have been consumed by water. A small group of volunteers were there trying to make it useable. All cats that survived that ordeal were in the puppy complex.
Most of the animals were housed in the puppy complex. There you seen cats and dogs together each in their own separate cage, and you saw what few volunteers the FCACC had, struggling to give these animals comfort. I couldn’t help noticing a mother cat, licking her new born kitten. There in a different cage were three baby kittens hoping that life would turn out okay for them. Those were just a few of the sights I seen, but maybe one of the most compassionate sights I seen was Vicki Miller, giving comfort to a dying kitten knowing that death would soon claim him.
The FCACC is in crises, they and what few animals survived the flood need your help. Donations of food, cat litter, blankets, money, volunteers and whatever else it takes to operate a shelter are needed. All staples were destroyed. Their computer which would have enabled them to be on the Internet was destroyed in the flood. Yet, the FCACC continues in their battle to recover from this tragedy and they will, but your help is greatly needed.
If you have the space to adopt an animal, the FCACC would be very grateful to you. At this time, the FCACC is closed to the public except for adoption purposes. An anonymous person has given the FCACC $1000.00 to spayed female animals that are adopted from the FCACC which are six months or older.
To bring supplies to the animal shelter or adopt an animal may be a problem since some roads to the shelter are closed, but State Road Workers will direct you how to get there. Although, you can leave the supplies at the Fayetteville Memorial Building, 200 West Maple Avenue, Fayetteville, WV 2540 or Kroger in Oak Hill..
The FCACC is located five miles north of Fayetteville on Route 16. Turn left at the Animal shelter and Fayette County Park signs. Once you see the signs that lead to the park, go left. The Fayette County Animal Control Center is located less than a mile from the Fayette County Park on Laurel Creek Road.
If the phones are in working order, you can call 1-304-574-2003 or 1-304-574-0937.
To make money contribution to the FCACC, since their P.O. Box at this time was washed away with the rain, please make check payable to the Fayette County Animal Control Center and send it to:
Fayetteville Memorial Building
200 West Maple Avenue
Fayetteville, WV 2540
Written by Sam Amato, July 11, 2001.
Sam,
Sorry it has taken so long for me to get back to you. As you know, our facility
is closed. I have been gone non stop since Sunday. I have average about 12 hours
sleep this week. What I saw Sunday broke my heart. I had to remove all the
bodies of animals that did not make it. It took me 2 ½ hours to reach the
shelter and I am only 10 miles from it.
Patty
Patty Adkins is the President of C-PAC
C-PAC is the guardians of the FCACC
7-15-2001
Fayette Animal Shelter Forced to Close
Sunday Gazette-Mail
Sunday July 15, 2001
By Susan Williams
STAFF WRITER
The rain that pounded Fayette County Sunday was no respecter of persons — or animals, for that matter.
Flood damage at the county’s animal shelter in Beckwith has closed the shelter indefinitely.
Several dogs and cats died in the floodwaters, Patti Payne, vice president of Citizens for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Inc., said Tuesday. The volunteer board of C-PAC has a contract with the Fayette County Commission to manage the animal shelter.
"I do not have a definite number, but more survived than died," Payne said. "But we need food and cat litter. The flooding wiped out all of our food. Wal-Mart donated some. But we also need pallets to put the food on," she said. She also said cash donations would be welcome.
"We also need foster homes for the animals that survived," she said. People can call the only line open right now, 574-2003.
When Payne managed to get to the shelter, she said she saw a boat wrapped around a telephone pole near the shelter. The porch to the mobile home that serves as an office is gone. "There was 2 feet of water in the mobile home. I think there was 6 feet of water in the shelter.
"Electric outlets were ripped from the walls. The propane tanks floated away. We need people who can help house the animals while we get in and clean."
Access to the shelter is also a problem. Payne said she has been coming in from Fayetteville through the Laurel Creek exit. "You have to have high clearance on your vehicle, too, or you cannot get through. One of the bridges is in some guy’s living room. The bridge to the shelter is intact. There was a river going through Beckwith," Payne said.
Payne also said she has had many reports of people who lost dogs who were tied up during the flooding.
Payne said the shelter would eventually reopen.
"But first you have to dig out," she said.
Department of Health Hunt Rabid Raccoons
Fayette County Health Department officials said Wednesday they are actively looking for cases of raccoons with rabies.
According to spokesperson Amanda Skaggs, no cases have been reported in Fayette County, but surrounding counties-including Raleigh and Greenbrier-have reported cases this year.
"People need to watch out for raccoons that are demonstrating sickness or abnormal behavior, said Skaggs.
Signs of a possibly rabid raccoon include unprovoked aggression towards people or animals, staggering as if drunk, a presences of bodily wounds or unnatural tameness.
Although this is not yet a major problem facing the county, Skagg said "people should be concerned enough to have their pets immunized against rabies and parents should tell their kids to avoid wild or unfamiliar animals."
If you think you’ve been in contact with a rabid animal, contact the Fayette County Health Department at 574-1617 OR Fayette County Animal Control at 574-0937.
Summarization from The Register-Herald, by George Gannon, Friday , May 25, 2001.
Puppy continues to exhibit loyalty
In the 1980s, Puppy was thrown from a car in Kincaid, WV. Elaine Bragg rescued the young dog, naming him Puppy as he was very small and young.
Over the years, the two spent most of their times together. He slept beside her bed and always watched over her.
Puppy would accompany Elaine Bragg to service at the Kincaid United Methodist Church, waiting faithfully on the porch for her to return for their walk home.
Elaine Bragg became ill last spring and went into the hospital. Later, following a bout with pneumonia, she had to move into a health care facility.
Puppy’s love and devotion for Bragg has not allowed him to stray far from home-nor from their schedule.
Puppy still sleeps on the Bragg’s porch being fed by a neighbor, Clara Kincaid.
Even more amazing, Puppy still "attends church" regularly, never missing a service. He greets those coming and watches as everyone leaves, and then take one more look to be sure Elaine Bragg is not coming out, and then he goes back home and sits on the porch and watches and waits for his mistress.
Clara Kincaid is quite taken by Puppy and she feeds and checks on him each day.
"Elaine would have done it for me," she said. "He is precious and I care about him."
Summarization from The Register-Herald, April 4, 2001, by Brenda Taylor
In a later article about Puppy published in The Register-Herald written by Brenda Taylor on April 7, 2001, people were moved by the devotion of Puppy and offered to give him a home. Clara Kincaid was very appreciative of their kindness, but her love for Puppy is more than just being a good neighbor and she continues caring for him. Efforts are being made to take Puppy to the health care facility where Elaine Bragg is so Puppy can see her.
C-PAC Gains Control of the FCACC on a Daily Bases
Thursday, March 15, the Fayette County Commission gave control of the Fayette County Animal Shelter to the Oak Hill based Citizens for Prevention of Animal Cruelty (C-PAC).
C-PAC will take control April 15.
CONTROL OF THE FCACC IS IN LIMBO
January 30, Earl Pauley turned in his resignation to the Fayette County Commissioner as the animal shelter supervisor. Mr. Pauley will oversee the construction of the animal shelter that is being built and maintain his position as the Fayette County Park Superintendent.
The commission then passed a motion to solicit proposals from nonprofit organizations to oversee day-to-day operations of the shelters. As of March 7, two bids have been given. One from the C-PAC organization in Fayette County and the other from Peggy Bennett, the current shelter manger.
The commissioners did not make a final decision and is waiting until it allots the budget for 2001-2002 to make the choice.
Pauley Doing Fine Job Controlling Animals
Three cheers for Ron Williams of Fayetteville who wrote in "Our Readers Speak" in The Register-Herald on January 8, 2001, praises concerning the leadership Mr. Earl Pauley is doing in all capacity in running the Fayette County Animal Control Center.
Mr. Williams also states that Fayette County has a leash law ordinance and appreciate the fact that many of the Fayette County citizens are abiding by it.
Praises to the WOAY-TV 4 Station and the FCACC
A belated congratulations to the Fayette County Animal Control Center who every Friday during the WOAY-TV 4 news broadcast from 12:00 P.M. to 12: 30 P.M. takes a pet to show during WOAY-TV 4 broadcast. Special praises to WOAY-TV 4 for this kind gesture to our animal friends. 12/12/2000
FCACC Web Site Is Now On-Line
Congratulations to the Fayette County Animal Control Center who got on-line Saturday, September 23, and by Thursday, October 7, had their "Hotmail" web site on-line.
Mr. Earl Pauley, the director of the FCACC, and his helpers, Tammy Gill and Peggy Bennett, are to be admired. The citizens of Fayette County are very fortunate to have such individuals representing them. They are dedicated people who have no problems of working after quitting hours until the job is done.
Their web site URL is on the home page. Please enter it and add it to your "Favorites."10/7/00
Thank You, Oak Hill Elementary
Thank you, Oak Hill Elementary 4th grade class for coming down every Wednesday evening to help out at our shelter.
The cats look forward to seeing you.
What a Good Deed
Oak Hill Elementary 3rd grade class have been collecting donations for the shelter.
The animals appreciate all that you do for them.
THANKS MR. COPLEY AND HURRY BACK
Special thanks to Allie Copley, age seventy-five, who has been an employee to the FCACC since April 17, 2000. At the FCACC, Mr. Copley is known as "Puppy Wag." Mr. Copley will be leaving us September 29, 2000, but will be returning in Spring. Mr. Copley has been a great asset to the FCACC. He cleaned, took care of our puppies, kittens, and cats. The FCACC’s staff wants to thank Mr. Copley for all the many hours that he has worked at our center. We will miss him and we are looking forward to his return this Spring.
VOCA, WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT YOU
The VOCA group started coming to volunteer at the FCACC last Spring and they are still going strong. They range from age twenty to sixty years of age. They come Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Their help is invaluable and while here they clean our cat shelter, litter pans, and food bowls. The FCACC would like to thank the group for volunteering their services. They have been a great asset to us and are truly needed and appreciated.
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE VOLUNTEERS FROM THE FMRS
On August 17, a group who attends FMRS from Fayetteville comes Monday through Thursday to assist us at the FCACC. They clean the food bowls, fill them up, and clean out the cat cages. We definitely appreciate their assistance and would be lost without them.
FCACC NOW ON-LINE
Thanks to the Fayette County Commissioners who picked up the tab for the FCACC to be on line and also for the wonderful support they have given them from the beginning. The FCACC e-mail address is: t4488@zoomnet.net 9/23/2000
FCACC MONTHLY LETTER GETS GREAT PRAISE
Congratulations to the Fayette County Animal Control Center (FCACC) on their first month newsletter and also the activities they had in behalf of the animals in September and the ones they are planning in October. Please check out the "Upcoming Events" for their pending activities in October. FCACC is to be admired for the progress they have made. In time they will be a shining light of what a caring animal shelter can accomplish. Check out their October monthly newsletter. Coming soon will be the photos of the animals up for adoption. Please e-mail the URL of this web site to others who lives in Fayette County and the surrounding counties. 9/23/2000
PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Three cheers for Lynne Noyes and her neighbors on Pea Ridge Road whose relentless compassion and a kind-hearted tree service owner rescued a stray cat that had been up a 40-foot pine tree for eight days. Thanks to Dr. Perry at the Beckley Veterinary Hospital who advised Noyes to contact the editor at Register-Herald who in turn call the Great Oaks Tree Co. at Danese for help and the owner Nick Critchley responded without hesitation.
The kindhearted efforts of Nicky Critchley owner of the Great Oaks Tree Co. and his helpers Alfred Walker and Joe Hedrick who volunteered their services and rescued the cat are to be commended. And the happy ending to the story is that Tippy, the cat, was reunited with her owner, Aaron Huddleston who had found her abandoned on the roadside last year.
Summarization from the Register-Herald, June 17, 2000, and written by Bev Davis.