Northeast Missouri Humane Society invites community to new walking track

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Kacie McCaughney, dog adoption coordinator at the Northeast Missouri Humane Society, kept up quite well with pit bull mix Gigi who excitedly followed the path in the front lawn of the shelter.

Several days later, and the nearly quarter-mile circular track and pavilion with a picnic table underneath was asphalted by Blackout Custom Sealcoating and Asphalt LLC and will be ready for walkers on Saturday.

The project has been a goal of the shelter for more than a year as they worked to fundraise and seek available funds. Elise Blue, director of the Northeast Missouri Humane Society, said the shelter is welcoming everyone in the community to come use the space.

“The walking path is meant to be a hub for the public. We want people to come out and enjoy it,” she said.

Blue said it’s not necessary to have a pet at all, but walkers are welcome to bring their leashed pets. She added that the dogs in the shelter are always happy to have a walking companion, anyone interested can sign up as a volunteer in person or online. 

The path will soon include enrichment equipment for pets along the way thanks to a grant received from Petco for $12,500. The grant was received a little more than a year ago and earmarked for the walking path, but Blue said she was able to raise funds to cover the cost of the path.

“So we will be able to get the enrichment equipment out on the walking path that I need to have built. So we’ll be able to do that now without having to wait to get more money saved up,” Blue said.

The volunteer program at the shelter has also received some good news. Blue recently applied for, and got, the Rachel Ray Grant for $11,000 to expand the volunteer program. 

She said the foster program will get a boost from the funding and will purchase supplies needed to send foster families home including leashes, food, medicine, bottles for babies, etc.

Many foster animals include those who are vulnerable to illness and disease. 

“If we have a pregnant cat come in, after she has her kittens, we want to get them out of the shelter until they are old enough to be adopted,” she said. 

Other fostered animals are those with possible personality glitches or who need socialization. 

“These are harder to get adopted so we send them with people who will work with them for a time,” Blue said. 

Anyone interested in fostering can apply on the website or contact the shelter. Blue said the program director will match foster families with animals best suited for their living situation and needs. 

Also coming up is Two Fathoms Tattoo’s fourth annual fundraiser for the shelter “Tats for Tails” on April 19 and 20 from noon to 8 p.m. to April 21 from noon to 6 p.m. at 613 Broadway in Hannibal. 

What started as a two-day event has grown into three full days with six tattoo artists and more than 400 flash to choose from. Prices start at $80. 

The artists include Jonathan Norman, Lars Van Zandt, Lizz Buscemi, Little Frank Freeman, Jordan Metz, and Andrew Buckwalter. Jesse Slade of King Theodore Records, of Columbia, Mo., will be there to spin vinyls. There will also be music available for purchase. 

Blue said the event is a first-come-first-served event. 

Prior to the tattoo appointment, it will be necessary to fill out a State Consent Form which can be done in person or online. Filling out a consent form does not ensure a spot in line, but can save time at the appointment. A driver’s license or form of identification should be brought to the appointment.

To fill out the State Consent Form, visit the state consent form page. https://form.jotform.com/240667520717054?fbclid=IwAR2By5QOxhk5z_Rx36oWioprEw_NE2SvuiG3PMFc_ttjghVDdc0nLju9S5c_aem_AZtCvJjfVIDsDF723tTYUpXDpWA-j3fKUWuj0jSdceO4XK-7BeqG1McmRjGL_Eb0rtvNRtWriFexoxbil_Y4w7aY

The shelter also now features cremation services. Each cremation comes with a certificate of authenticity and seven urn choices. 

They also have a cabinet in the lobby with items for sale, such as flea and tick treatment, leashes, and more.

To learn more about the Northeast Missouri Humane Society or see how to help support, visit https://www.nemohumane.com/.