thedrifter
07-12-09, 08:14 AM
Marines help pets into new home
By DICK JOHNSON, dick.johnson@globegazette.com
MASON CITY — They brought in heavy-hitters to help move the Humane Society of North Iowa into its shiny new digs at 2700 S. Birch Drive.
Five U.S. Marines and 17 “poolies” (recruits from the Marine Corps’ delayed entry pool) provided muscle.
On Saturday they cleaned, moved furniture, and unloaded about two tons of animal food and cat litter, and two massive coolers.
They pulled weeds, did some landscaping, installed a mailbox — even exercised animals.
After that they planned on taking a little 5-mile run and enjoying some barbecue.
“I think this is incredible, that they’re helping us do this move, that these guys are going off to serve their country, but first they’re serving their community,” said Sybil Soukup, the Humane Society’s Executive Director.
“The main thing we’re trying to do is to show the young kids the importance of giving back to the community,” said Staff Sgt. Chad Hyatt of the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Mason City.
“It shows the community that we care,” said Staff Sgt. Rafal Klimek.
After a $1 million capital campaign, the Humane Society broke ground last fall on its new shelter, which adjoins Mason City’s animal shelter.
It includes 6,600 square feet, compared to 900 in the old shelter at 1520 N. Federal Ave.
There’s room for 30 dogs and 60 cats, plus isolated “sick rooms” and a puppy area separate from the dog population.
Some 16 dogs and 24 cats moved in Saturday, along with a guinea pig named Flash.
“To see this day come is really important for us, because we’ve been working on this for years,” Soukup said.
“It’s a new chapter for us,” Shelter Manager Yovette Murphy said. “It’ll be a learning curve.”
Soukup said the critters would definitely speak out, if they could speak Human.
“They would say, ‘Thank you North Iowa, for giving us the home we deserve,’” she said.
Ellie
By DICK JOHNSON, dick.johnson@globegazette.com
MASON CITY — They brought in heavy-hitters to help move the Humane Society of North Iowa into its shiny new digs at 2700 S. Birch Drive.
Five U.S. Marines and 17 “poolies” (recruits from the Marine Corps’ delayed entry pool) provided muscle.
On Saturday they cleaned, moved furniture, and unloaded about two tons of animal food and cat litter, and two massive coolers.
They pulled weeds, did some landscaping, installed a mailbox — even exercised animals.
After that they planned on taking a little 5-mile run and enjoying some barbecue.
“I think this is incredible, that they’re helping us do this move, that these guys are going off to serve their country, but first they’re serving their community,” said Sybil Soukup, the Humane Society’s Executive Director.
“The main thing we’re trying to do is to show the young kids the importance of giving back to the community,” said Staff Sgt. Chad Hyatt of the Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Mason City.
“It shows the community that we care,” said Staff Sgt. Rafal Klimek.
After a $1 million capital campaign, the Humane Society broke ground last fall on its new shelter, which adjoins Mason City’s animal shelter.
It includes 6,600 square feet, compared to 900 in the old shelter at 1520 N. Federal Ave.
There’s room for 30 dogs and 60 cats, plus isolated “sick rooms” and a puppy area separate from the dog population.
Some 16 dogs and 24 cats moved in Saturday, along with a guinea pig named Flash.
“To see this day come is really important for us, because we’ve been working on this for years,” Soukup said.
“It’s a new chapter for us,” Shelter Manager Yovette Murphy said. “It’ll be a learning curve.”
Soukup said the critters would definitely speak out, if they could speak Human.
“They would say, ‘Thank you North Iowa, for giving us the home we deserve,’” she said.
Ellie