Pictured are Lynda Wilson, one of the TCHS head volunteers holding her furry friend, Johnny Cash. Since this photo “Johnny” has found is his furever home.

Many people may have heard of the old expression of “cat on a hot tin roof” and/or have seen Tennessee William’s play, but a cat room for cats? That is exactly what the Tama County Humane Society (TCHS) wants to create at the front of their facility. The Tama County Community Foundation (TCCF) has played a role in helping the TCHS achieve many of their goals, including last year’s grant for two dog suites as well as help with getting a new furnace and air conditioning and a new sign in the last few years. Since its inception in 2009, the TCHS has helped find homes for approximately 1,000 dogs and cats. Currently the TCHS has 10 dogs and around 40 cats who need their “forever” home. 150 volunteers help keep the place running and put in 100 hours per week. Sometimes volunteers take animals home to nurse them if they are young or injured as well as acclimating them to people and a home environment. The dog suites are two large plexiglass cages that can be used in a variety of ways for a variety of dogs. For example, a dog with pups would be a good fit for the dog suites. The suites can even be opened at the center to become one large cage. A board of seven county citizens are in charge of making sure that the humane society carries out its mission. Their newest project for the TCHS is to create a large room with three plexiglass cages for cats with multiple levels and that are interconnected. The cats will be allowed to “roam” in those cages as well as being able to bask in the sun at one of the windows. TCHS is ready to lay new tile in that room before the construction of the cat cages. Besides the “cat room,” the humane society’s future plans include creating separate entrances, which will lead to isolation rooms for both incoming dogs and cats. All animals need to be isolated and tested for any diseases before allowing them into the general population of the shelter. Animals are isolated now, but these new intake rooms will make the process much easier. There will be a storage room in the new cat room area and a need for that room’s own washer and dryer. The shelter cannot run without its volunteers. Some of these volunteers are charged with more responsibilities and leadership than others. One of these volunteers is Dr. Christi Downs. Dr. Downs, a local veterinarian at the Tama Veterinary Clinic, has worked with the TCHS since the beginning and has been a major player in its success. She advises and volunteers her skills to the humane society. When she was asked how she believes the TCHS has helped the veterinarians of the county, Dr. Downs stated that before the TCHS, people had to take animals to the Marshalltown Humane Shelter. Local vets, although they might have liked to, were unable to take in very many homeless or missing pets. She said, “It is nice to have a local facility. People don’t have to figure it out on their own.” Dr. Downs, also, stated, “The shelter provides a second chance for local strays and unwanted pets.” When pressed to share her favorite “things” of going to help at the shelter, Dr. Downs gave several reasons such as seeing an animal going to its “perfect home,” especially the longer term animal residents; when she knows it is the perfect match for the animal, and when missing animals are reunited with their owners. “I didn’t like to see hurt or sick animals, and I wanted to help them,” stated Dr. Downs as to the reason she went into veterinary medicine. Dr. Downs feels, “TCCF has been an asset to the small local organizations for funding needed projects.” The Tama County Humane Society has been a wonderful asset to the people and, especially, the animals of Tama County. The Tama County Community Foundation is proud and pleased to have been instrumental in helping with its success. The TCHS is just such a 501c3 charitable organization that is eligible for TCCF grant funds, as well as schools and governmental organizations. Giving an animal a caring and loving home not only gives them a chance to a happy and healthy life, it also gives “their humans” the same opportunity. The TCCF has been created by and for the people of Tama County. The Foundation’s main goals are to support charitable projects and programs, to attract additional funds, and to assist donors in creating lasting legacies through a variety of giving options within the county. For more information about the TCCF, contact Brian Sokol, Chair of the Tama County Community Foundation, 641-484-2980, or Mary Fasse-Shaw, TCCF’s Development Associate at 641-751-5251.