Second Chance shelter adoptions continue through local pet stores Posted On: Monday, Nov. 30 2009 05:32 AM By Don Bolding
Killeen Daily Herald

The little wards of the no-kill Second Chance Animal Shelter on Clear Creek Road must wish their stormy lives would settle down soon, but they must be happy someone still cares about them.

After the fire that killed 99 cats and 15 small dogs Nov. 1, the remaining small animals were farmed out to foster care. The fire did not affect the living quarters of large dogs.

Now some of the cats, kittens and small dogs are trotted over to the Killeen PetSmart and Petco from noon to 4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in hopes of finding permanent homes, and usually two or three a week are adopted, shelter volunteer president George Grammas said.

It's far fewer than the usual volume, but the process keeps the wheels turning as remaining structural repairs are finished and the electrical system is restored.

Right now, the shelter is operating with a temporary electrical system that must be replaced and inspected by the city, shelter manager Ginger Smith-Holmes said.

The shelter can accept no more small animals and cannot retrieve its small animals from foster care until then, although medium- to large size dogs are still housed and adopted from the shelter. Grammas said the target date for a full reopening is Jan. 1.

Returning workers from one of the stores Sunday said they only finalized one adoption Sunday.

"This was a slow weekend because of the holiday," Grammas said.

The shelter is high in the running for a $20,000 grant from the Animal Rescue Site on the Internet. Visitors to www.theanimalrescuesite.com may vote through Dec. 20. Smaller grants are available as well. The shelter's Web site, www.centexhumanesociety.com, also has a link to the site.

In the meantime, individuals and groups have continued to donate money and labor. Otitis Media Productions held a family-friendly concert inviting donations at Carl Levin Park in Harker Heights, Fish City Grill raised $400 in a recent Tuesday-night drive, and the Iams pet food company donated $5,000.

Several Fort Hood soldiers donating their time have painted and installed drywall, carved wood and chipped tile.

Smith-Holmes said more volunteers are still needed for woodwork, animal care and other tasks to bring the shelter back to full speed.

The shelter, at 5501 Clear Creek Road, may be reached at (254) 526-6200 or through its Web site.

Contact Don Bolding at dbolding@kdhnews.com or (254) 7557.