March 11, 2010

The snow brought down roofs over three dog shelters at the Caring for Creatures animal shelter in February.

Since then, however, pet lovers in the Palmyra community in Fluvanna County are helping both the animals and the shelter. The collapsed dog shelters have been cleared out.

"Looking at it day to day, the destruction of it, you just kind of feel, 'oh no,'" said Mary Birkholz from Caring for Creatures.

The roofs buckled in February. Now, the community is propping up Caring for Creatures. New shelters made out of wood will be constructed next week for free.

"I'm quite sure those contractors will make it so it will not fall under 2 feet of snow, which I hope we never have," Birkholz said.

After the outdoor roof collapsed, dogs needed a new home. They found a temporary home at Pampered Pets. When the owner of the grooming and boarding business, Jim Brown, saw images from the collapse, he said he and his wife had to help.

"Betsy and I rode out the next day to see the damage that was done, and I [told them] we could shelter as many dogs that were living under the shelters we saw that were damaged," Brown said.

Seven dogs now stay at Pampered Pets as they await adoption.

"It was very evident from the volunteers that are stopping by that they are very social with people. They just need a loving home," Brown said.

Birkholz still needs to replace the kennels that were damaged, but she won't have to worry about paying for a roof over her beloved dogs' heads.

"It just means the world to us and to the animals," Birkholz said. "It's really hard to express what it means to us."

Artisan Construction and Barton Marlow Contractors will be constructing the new shelters March 19, and they're looking for volunteers to help build it.

If you would like to volunteer in any capacity call Caring For Creatures in Palmyra at 434-842-2404.