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Franklin County animal control struggling with tight space after fire

BY BECKY MALKOVICH

Wednesday, November 21, 2007 2:25 PM CST

BENTON -- The temporary headquarters of Franklin County Animal Control was filled almost beyond capacity Wednesday morning.

Huge bags of dog and cat food took up much of the floor space, while cleaning supplies were stacked high against one wall. Another wall was lined with cages holding the feline survivors of a destructive fire at the facility Monday night that killed more than 40 cats and kittens and 15 dogs.

Employees Nathan Reed and Dottie Darr were bathing cats, trying to rid soot from fur, while Mary Crawford was checking in the offerings coming in from the public by the trunk or truck-full. Supervisor Jarrett Broy was manning the phone, but not having much luck answering all of the calls coming in to the facility.

"I've got more than 50 calls to return already, but the phone won't stop ringing long enough for me to make any calls," Broy said at 11 a.m. Wednesday. "It's a wonderful thing. I've gotten calls from not just here in Southern Illinois, but from Missouri, Kentucky, Utah, all over the country. Everyone just wants to know how they can help."

The small, one-room storage building will serve as the temporary office/cattery until plans can be finalized to build a new shelter. Dogs are being housed in a row of cages outside the building.

"We're trying to do the best we can with what we've got, but we lost everything. I couldn't even find a pen this morning," Broy said.

Among the items needed most are Pine-Sol cleaning solution, hand and bath towels, storage containers, office supplies, cat litter scoops, large trash cans and mini-fridges for medications.

The facility will be closed Thanksgiving Day but will open from 9 a.m. to noon Friday. Regular hours, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, will resume next week.

Monetary donations may be made to FCAC, P.O. Box 967, Benton IL 62812.

For more information, call 439-9197.