By Cathy Ingalls
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Friday, July 25, 2008 12:00 am
Albany police on patrol often come across injured stray and lost cats and dogs that require immediate veterinary attention.
Until now, no money has been available to pay veterinarians to help those animals.
Now the Albany Police Department and the SafeHaven Humane Society are working together to raise money for the Linn Samaritan Fund. There is about $2,000 so far in the account to pay vet bills, said Christiana Gunderson, the development director for the shelter.
"Before, when we went out on an injured animal call, we either put the animal down or went out of protocol and contacted local veterinarians," said Sgt. Curtis Hyde of the police department. "We couldn't take dogs to the Linn County dog pound because the pound doesn't even take slightly injured animals."
It was becoming too expensive for veterinarians to continue donating their services, he said. Sometimes when a pet's owner was found, they paid the bill, but in other cases, the veterinarian was out the money.
The police department approached SafeHaven about creating a plan to deal with the animals, Hyde said.
Because SafeHaven is a nonprofit, the agency administers the fund. Money in the fund is only available for the care of animals found by the police.
To get the fund started, the police department donated $1,500, Hyde said.
"SafeHaven's hope is that following Albany's lead, Sweet Home and Lebanon will partner with the Linn County Sheriff's Office so the program can be offered countywide," Gunderson said. "SafeHaven will provide continuing care in foster homes until the animals can be taken to the (county) shelter."
Anyone wishing to foster injured animals or contribute to the Linn Samaritan Fund can call the shelter at 928-2789 or visit online at www.safehavenhumane.com.
Checks can be mailed to SafeHaven Humane Society, P.O. Box 2018, Albany, OR 97321 or brought to the shelter, 33071 Highway 34 S.E.
The shelter is now open seven days a week: noon to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday, and noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.