With just a few weeks under her belt as the new Loudon County Animal Shelter director, Miracle Nichols said she is still learning the ropes.
Although she has been with the department for 14 years, she credits a smooth transition in leadership to assistance from the community and staff at the center.
Some future goals Nichols listed for the shelter include improving adoption rates by utilizing more rescue programs and spreading the word on free spay and neuter vouchers for low-income pet owners, which is all in an effort to bridge the gap between animal homelessness and finding permanent residences for dogs and cats.
“Of course, I want the rescue to be able to continue to grow and be supportive of that and adoptions too,” Nichols said. “I want them to be able to get out of here, find a family and have another chance.”
Nichols served as the shelter’s interim director after former director Shasta Raby took another post outside of the animal control field. She previously served as an animal control officer for 14 years, joining the ranks after serving as a long-time volunteer.
“You’re in charge of a lot of the daily running of the shelter, which is a part that was really new for me as far as budget stuff, and that’s all going on now, of course,” Nichols said. “I’ve loved animals all my life.”
While the job can be an “emotional roller coaster” and physically demanding, she said the success stories of linking animals with permanent homes keeps her going, Nichols said, pointing out that one dog named Rambo competes in agility courses across the nation while another pet owner has periodically sent updates to the shelter on her new furry friend.
“There are a lot of sad things, a lot of grown-up decisions that you have to make that you don’t want to and a lot of sad stuff in it,” Nichols said. “But you have to focus on the awesome stories, the animals that really work in a family and where they really get along. It’s real fun to see that.
“Each and every one of these animals are important to us,” she added. “That’s what we’re all really doing here is trying to help them and have a positive outcome.”
The shelter has been making successful strides in recent years, Nichols said, pointing out a decline in euthanasia rates because of an increase in adoptions and rescue operations. Now, only sick animals or those not suitable for human contact are euthanized, Nichols said.
Overall last year, 760 animals, or 64 percent of its population, was adopted. More than 45 more were rescued, 186 animals were claimed by their owners and 802 were euthanized, which was 36 percent of the overall population last year. So far this year, 145 animals have been adopted, 87 have been rescued, another 40 have been claimed by their owners and 118 have been euthanized, according to shelter statistics.
April Kennedy, rescue and events coordinator, said the local shelter participates in numerous rescue operations, in which some animals are sent to shelters in the north and others are transported to operations in East Tennessee for a better chance at being adopted.
“We haven’t put an animal to sleep due to a lack of space in at least two years. There was a time when we were constantly 30 or 40 animals a day, and now it’s nothing unless they’re sick or not friendly,” Kennedy said, also attributing the decline to the increased rescue and adoption rates.
“We are in need of dry dog food and cat litter if anyone wants to donate,” Kennedy said. “Or if they have an hour or two to spare a week. Come out and play with the dogs or walk them.”
The local shelter also sends some of its felines to PetSmart in Turkey Creek to increase chances of adoption. PetSmart Charities will hold a national adoption weekend May 15-17 at the Turkey Creek location. Numerous animals from Loudon County Animal Shelter will be up for adoption as part of the national adoption weekend.
“It’s really nice that we have a place where they can be seen,” Kennedy said.
“Whatever is out there that we can get the animals out of here the best way and in new homes, that’s what we’re always searching for,” Nichols said.
Adoption fees are $80 for dogs and puppies and $70 for cats and kittens. Costs include the spay or neuter procedure, a rabies shot, general deworming, microchipping and other services.
Both Kennedy and Nichols said assistance from the community is a vital piece to everyday operations at the shelter.
Tellico Village residents Julie and Dennis Ricchio have been volunteering at the shelter every Tuesday for about a year.
“We love animals. We have the one cat at home who is very dominant, will not allow any other animals in the home, so we figure we can help out here,” Julie Ricchio said, encouraging others to volunteer at the shelter.
“Everyone here, I can’t say enough,” she added. “Honestly, I’m here one day a week. I don’t know how they do it every day because you get so attached to these animals.”
