TURNERS FALLS — Of the many guests in attendance at Sunday’s anniversary party for the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter, the most important ones had four legs.
The shelter hosted the event this weekend to celebrate five years in Franklin County, where the shelter welcomed members of the public, but also welcomed back dogs that had been adopted from the shelter.
Dogs like Lily, a 1 -year old dog who was adopted by Laura Pease, an animal control officer from Rutland.
“They’re such an incredible shelter,” Pease said. She said she was immediately smitten with Lily, who fits in her arms, despite usually preferring larger dogs. Pease said the shelter is great at matching dogs and owners. She said people often misunderstand the kind of dog they can handle, or have preconceived notions about what kind of dogs they like, and it’s beneficial that the shelter is good at helping people find a good match.
The event offered food, games, tours and a presentation on the shelter’s services.
Leslee Colucci, director of the shelter and dog officer, said the event is a celebration of what the shelter has been able to do over the last five years.
Friends of the Franklin County Regional Dog Shelter, the organization that assists with funding the shelter, was also at the event, showcasing the planned design of a new dog shelter. The shelter’s current location is on loan from the Town of Montague.
Joanne Schlunk, president of the Friends of the Regional Dog Shelter, said the group is about to launch a capital fundraising campaign for the new shelter, which will offer more space to help meet the needs of the county.
“Everyone’s goal is to have enough to adequately take care of all of the dogs,” Schlunk said.