Forrest City Animal Shelter Improvements

FORREST CITY, Ark. - From deplorable to remarkable is what volunteers are now saying about the animal shelter in Forrest City, AR. Thanks to a little help from some out-of-towners and the chief of police, the shelter is now upward bound.

"That's what it's about right there. You know somebody wants to put that thing in their house. Ain't it?" said Dwight Duch, Forrest City Chief of Police.

Placing dogs in loving homes is the driving force behind getting the Forrest City Animal Shelter back up to par. However the happy, healthy pups are a far cry from what the shelter looked like nearly a year ago.

In late 2009, the Forrest City Humane Society released a video on YouTube, showing empty water bowls, dirty cages, sickly and dead dogs, and even maggots. But the shelter's cries for help didn't go unanswered for too long.

"I'm an animal lover myself. I love dogs," said Chief Duch.

Chief Duch took over operations at the shelter earlier this month. Since then, conditions have improved. Now animals have clean cages to sleep in, fresh water to drink and plenty of food. Volunteers say help couldn't have come at a better time.

"It's amazing the difference from two weeks ago. If you had been here two weeks ago and then come here today, you would've been like wow. I can't believe what a change. We're not there yet. It's going to take time to get this stuff implemented like it needs to be, but it's working," said Janie Hicks, Humane Society Volunteer.

To make sure things stay that way, Rescue Ink, an animal rescue group based out of New York City, stepped in to offer their expertise.

"We come into a situation and try to make it better. It's not that we know more than another person, we've just been around situations that have gotten out of control more than other people have," said Joe Panz, Rescue Ink.

Rescue Ink provided volunteers with the tools needed to make sure dogs are adoption ready. The group also solicits donations from local businesses, and provides educational tools for anyone looking to adopt a rescue dog.

"Those guys are amazing. They come in and bring a little community awareness to it. I think it's great with all the publicity and stuff, to help some of these dogs make it to a good home, and I know it's a home out there for all of them," said Chief Duch.

In light of all the improvements, the city shelter still needs more volunteers to donate a little time and love to their four-legged friends, until they find a permanent home.

"You still need someone to walk these dogs, to feed them, to clean their cages. It's all on volunteers," said Big Ant, Rescue Ink.

If you'd like to volunteer at the Forrest City Animal Shelter, or adopt a rescue dog, you can call 870-633-7036 or click on the link attached to this story.