By Staff
Community gets a look at finished courtyard
By CHRISTINA HALE
Staff Writer
Pet lovers showed off their furry friends Saturday during the Pets on Parade celebration at the Betsy Bailey Nelson Animal Shelter in Beaufort County. Special events included contests, demonstrations and a ribbon-cutting in honor of the facility’s grand opening.
The humane society has worked in cooperation with the county to benefit the new facility. The society presented a check to the shelter Saturday morning to cover the costs of the front sign. The brick courtyard project, which was completed and open for viewing Saturday, was also in cooperation with the society.
The pet celebration bought in money for the shelter. “We’re selling name tags,” said Sandy Woolard, chief animal control officer with the shelter. “Some animals would not be here if they had had one,” she said.
Chris Kirk, 14, and his dog, Ginger, entered the best pet trick contest and won first place, despite some health problems. “She’s sick. She has seizures sometimes,” he said.
The hero of the day was Caesar, a Chihuahua-pug mix. He was honored for rescuing a lost dog in April.
Ronnie, a narcotics dog with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office was also recognized Saturday. He and his handler, David Richards, a narcotics investigator with the sheriff’s office, gave a demonstration.
Ronnie was able to find two hidden book bags that smelled of marijuana within five seconds, Richards said. Despite his important job, Ronnie is gentle with people, he said.
The winners of the pet photo contest were announced Saturday. It was $5 to enter a photo and the contest brought in about 37 entries, said Ginny Symkowiak, with the Beaufort County Humane Society. “We don’t intend this to be a money making thing, but to help us thank say thank you,” she said.
Woolard said the purpose of the events were to show visitors the facility. “We hope to get some adoptions, but really we want people to see the facility and spread the word,” she said.