BY KEVIN THOMAS  
   Staff Writer, Rogers Hometown News
   [Wednesday July 17, 2002]
     The Benton County Humane Society for Animals in Rogers is expanding.  The over- abundance of stray and uncared for animals throughout the county has taken its toll on the shelter.  Humane Society President Barbara Phillips said July 10 that Simmons Bank will loan the approximately $400,000 needed to expand the shelter. 
     The run-down shelter at 407 E, Nursery Rd. off of South First Street was originally built in 1980-81 without any improvements since. The shelter runs at capacity, around 85 dogs and cats total, continuously.  The expanded shelter will give Shelter Manager Clay Morgan an area of 100 covered, outside dog runs in addition to the current building and a new structure. The Humane Society will have to add three to four additional employees to help carry the load. Where that money will come from is unknown. 
     The original shelter was built on private contributions and donated labor.  The shelter continues today on that same premise, accepting dog food donations and other items from local retailers.  Phillips set a ground-breaking date of sometime in September, before the weather turns cold and wet. "It's got to happen, we've got to do something," Phillips said.  Stray dogs sit in outside pins with dirt floors shaded in front of the building. Giant bags of dog food at 40 or more pounds line the inside walls of the front office of the Humane Society.  "It would help tremendously with adoptions if we could get a place where people could come and play with the animals here," Save Our Strays member and Humane Society supporter Becky Featherston said, "right now we can't do that."  
     The adoption rate at the shelter hovers around 30 percent but is lower in the summer time when the heat and family vacations put pets on the back burner. Records showed the shelter took in 63 dogs and 10 puppies in the last month.  Animals that fail to be adopted are eventually euthanized.  The shelter is approaching 90,000 animals held since the first Shelter opened July 14, 1972 with two border collies and a cat. The shelter was located on five wooded acres several miles south of Rainbow Curve Road at the time.  
     An advisory board is also planned to assist in the oversight of the construction and operations of the shelter.  Phillips though, will remain as the chief officer of the Humane Society of Benton County.  Gary Jackson and Ashley Tucker of Hight-Jackson and Associates volunteered their services for the architectural and building plans on the project.  Charles Simmons also committed to being the general contractor. Potential contractors, Featherston said, can contact Phillips at the shelter about donating services.  Phillips said she is trying to obtain land immediately east and in front of the current building for more room. Further information may also be obtained at humanesocietyrogers.org.

Humane Society for Animals
407 E. Nursery Rd, Rogers,  AR 72756
(479)636-3703