Residents raise funds for new Boonville Animal Shelter

The 50-year-old Boonville Animal Shelter is tiny.

It can only house about eight dogs and five cats. Storage space is limited as well.

Animal Control Department head Pam Paxton says they have to store things in front of the kennel doors, on top of shelves, even in the small bathroom.

Only two people work in the Animal Control Department but that’s about all that can fit in the shelter, besides the animals.

Many years and repairs later, the building is close to crumbling.

The shelter accepts donations constantly, but they’re not enough to fund a new building.

A new building isn’t at the top of the administration’s list of priorities.

So Marcey Caldwell, a local resident who had noticed citywide concern for the crumbling building, decided to take some serious steps to get a new building.

The residents have already raised $8,000 in a fundraising effort that included students selling candy bars and a chili lunch that takes place Saturday.

“This is on the city’s agenda but it’s at the bottom of the agenda so hopefully with us raising money it will move it towards the top of the agenda,” said Caldwell. “I think with as many people who have given donations, who’ve come forward, I think they’ve spoken pretty loudly that they want a new location as well.”

The residents are working with the city to come up with the funds that the city isn’t allocating.

“I know the city is tired of trying to figure out how to do the animal shelter, how to build one with their funds when they have other things of more importance,” said Caldwell. “I think they’re looking forward to this animal shelter happening as well.”

ABC17 News reached out to several city leaders, including Mayor Julie Thatcher, to find out what their involvement has been in the fundraising efforts but we haven’t heard back.

But Caldwell says the mayor and administration have attended meetings with the residents about the shelter and have added their input and ideas.

Paxton said while she’s not involved in this fundraising effort, she is glad that someone is looking out for the animals in the community.

The city has set up a donation page for the shelter. You can follow this link to donate.