New Look at the Animal Shelter… Something to “CHAT” About

As a new member of the Chamber, we welcome the opportunity to introduce ourselves and announce the opening of the CHAT Adoption Center.  For almost twenty years, many of you have known us as the local humane society.  We still fulfill that function, but took on a new name in 2001:  Citizens for Humane Animal Treatment of Wakulla or CHAT.  We are the same folks, with the same mission… just a new name.

In case you are not familiar with us, we are the non-profit organization who pays for the care and feeding of the animals at the county animal shelter, operates the shelter’s adoption program, and advocates for humane treatment of animals.  We have always partnered with the Wakulla Animal Shelter, which is operated by the Sheriff’s Department.  Last year, we contributed over $80,000 to the shelter’s operation, and this year, it looks like we will double that amount.

On June 21st. we took on a new challenge, and officially opened the CHAT Adoption Center.  It is located on the site where animal control had their office, I Oak Street, next to the Jail and Sheriff’s Office.  Animal Control is now located on the same property, but in another building.  The Adoption Center houses all the dogs and cats that are available for adoption and is operated by CHAT volunteers and a full time CHAT director, Danielle Martin.

Ms. Martin comes to us with many years of experience as a veterinarian technician and is responsible for the care of the animals and operations of the Center.  If you stop by to meet her, you will no doubt also meet many of our volunteers who spend countless hours taking care of the animals and helping the public adopt from the Center.  Our new hours are: 

Closed on Monday

Tuesday – Friday Noon – 4:30 P.M

Saturday Noon—6 pm

Sunday 1-4 P.M.

CHAT’s ultimate goal is to make our Adoption Center a no-kill facility, but we are far from reaching that objective.  Last year about 600 animals were adopted and this year, our goal is 800.  To achieve that goal, we continuously reach out to local rescue programs, and also have our animals posted on petfinder.com .

And this month, CHAT has funded what we think is a very exciting program, Wakulla Paws in Prison .  Twelve of our adult dogs are spending 8 to 10 weeks at Wakulla Correctional Institution, where they are undergoing behavioral training provided by inmates.  We anticipate that the program will provide an adoptive home for about 80 dogs a year.

Many of the dogs in the program are just big loveable dogs, who have never been trained to live with people.  There is Reba, a redbone hound dog, Sunshine a yellow Labrador retriever, Oscar a young American Bull Dog and the list goes on.  All the dogs found their way to our shelter for different reasons, but all will be wonderful pets upon completion of the program.  They will know how to sit, stay, walk on a leash, be crate trained, house trained and spayed/neutered.  Pictures of the dogs are on our web-site, www.chatofwakulla.org .  Applications for adoption are at the CHAT Adoption Center… or call 926-0890 for an application or information.

A special charity golf tournament for the Wakulla Paws in Prison program is schedule for July 31st. at Seminole Golf Course in Tallahassee.  All proceeds will enable CHAT to fund the program for the coming year.  Entry fee for teams of four is $35O. That includes greens fees, cart, lunch, golf shirt, and opportunity to win prizes.  Sponsorship of a hole starts at $200, and is tax deductable.  Applications for the tournament are at the CHAT Adoption Center or you can call William Luther at 850-294-0719 or Susan Yelton at 850-443-4331.  Or, simply click here to download the application from Wakulla.com . 

We may be a small county, but we are committed to having the best little shelter and adoption center in Florida.  If you have some free time, we hope you will visit us and spend some time with the animals. They always have time to give unconditional love.

This article originally published on July 15, 2008.