WARSAW — Every animal shelter faces challenges, such as funding shortages, staff turnover, community conflicts and limited space. The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is no exception.

The average length of stay for most of the directors that were hired at AWL was one to two years. That changed when Darla McCammon was made executive director in 2009.

McCammon, who worked at AWL for nearly two years before stepping into the executive director position, was previously a marketing manager at AT&T. Her prior business experience has been beneficial in her current position.

McCammon points to the current program AWL uses to track animals as one example.

“Because of my business background, I knew there had to be a better method of tracking the pets than the old-fashioned, mostly paper method that was in place,” she stated.

McCammon said an intern from Grace College assisted AWL in finding new software for this purpose. The program they currently use allows lab staff to see a daily report with information regarding which tests or vaccines specific animals are due for as well as medication information.

The executive director position is a difficult one and requires dealing with the health and care of animals, customer satisfaction, writing grants, supervising staff, obtaining assistance and funding and working with state and local agencies.

When asked what the one thing is that she wishes more people knew about AWL, McCammon’s response was, “I wish more people knew that we really are a good place and we’re doing everything we can to keep animals alive and healthy.”

Euthanasia is a subject that weighs heavily on many people. McCammon’s goal is to make sure every pet that leaves the AWL facility is spayed or neutered.

“I believe there are better ways to obtain population control of pets than by putting them down,” said McCammon.

According to McCammon, the euthanasia rate at AWL has decreased almost 35 percent since 2007. McCammon states this is due to refusal on the part of AWL to put animals down due to space restrictions.

“It also means we are running a cleaner and healthier shelter. This takes tremendous effort and help from our community,” McCammon stated.

McCammon feels that efficient, dedicated and supportive staff are key to helping the AWL function at its best.

When asked what the most challenging part of her job is, McCammon said she finds it challenging to be misunderstood and misrepresented while people hold on to old stereotypes of how the shelter used to be.

“We have changed it so much,” McCammon said, “but people still ask if we put the animals down after three days. I don’t know that this shelter ever did that.”

McCammon describes the most rewarding part of her job as “Receiving a letter or picture from someone who adopted a pet and thanking us because they adopted the pet here.”

McCammon said that adoptions have increased by 22 percent since 2007.

“Our adoption rate is phenomenal. Hill’s Science Diet did a study across the U.S., and AWL came out in the top bracket for high adoptions for a shelter of our size. I think this is because we are putting out healthy pets.”

McCammon started the Furry Friend Foster Program, which has been very successful. Potential adopters are allowed to take a pet home on a trial basis to make sure the pet is going to be a good match with their family and other pets in their household. AWL provides tips to the foster family for introducing the new pet into the household, such as introducing the new pet and the existing pet on neutral territory. This trial foster period allows potential adoptive families to “foster” an animal between Saturday afternoon and the following Tuesday when the shelter re-opens.

McCammon discussed some of the benefits of pet ownership, such as decreased depression, stress and anxiety. Owning a pet can lower your blood pressure, improve immunity and decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke. Children raised in a home with pets have less chance of developing pet allergies later on. Pets also offer companionship and encourage physical activity and being outdoors.

AWL has purchased property and is making plans for a new shelter. The new facility will have a large, free-roaming cat room, an indoor walking track for year-round exercise and walking pets and a beautiful new adoption center. The new property is located at 1048 South CR 325 E (intersection of US 30 & 325 E) in Warsaw.

The AWL is still trying to raise funds for the new facility. A fundraiser event is scheduled for July 29 on the new property. The public is encouraged to attend this event, which will include tours of the property, a silent auction, door prizes, live band music, vendor displays, games, a 50/50 raffle, available shelter pets, great food and more. Cost is $3 per person for admission or $6 per family. The meal will include barbecue sandwiches, chips and cookies. The event is sponsored by Martins, Paragon and other donors.

Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County is located at 3489 E 100 S, Pierceton.