from The Gardner News, June 22, 2005.

TEMPLETON — The town took a first step toward reconstructing its dog pound Tuesday morning. Building Commissioner Lawrence Brandt and others involved in the project toured the small building, which sits behind the Highway Department building on Baldwinville Road, to determine what it will take to make it fit for canine occupation. “It needs some work,” said Clem Young, who has agreed to supervise a team of volunteers in the rebuilding effort, “Tender loving care will take care of it, I believe.” Brandt said that all the wood portions of the small building must be demolished. The cement blocks that make up the stall area and other parts of the building would remain, and the same type of material would be used to reconstruct the remainder of the building. Brandt said he would like to see the electrical system rewired, the ceiling raised and light and ventilation improved. Officials also want to expand the building slightly to include an office for Dog Officer Carolyn McDonald and a bathroom. McDonald raised the possibility of using a trailer to provide those facilities instead, and Brandt agreed that it might be a possibility but noted that the town would have to add a ramp system to make the trailer handicapped-accessible. McDonald closed the pound down in 2002 after deciding that run-down conditions made it an inappropriate place for the animals.

Since then, she has been housing the dogs in her own home. However, she is now in the process of selling her house and moving, and she will not be able to take them with her. In addition, McDonald said, the new location will be safer. She said that she now runs the risk that people who are upset at having their animals taken away for mistreatment will come to her house trying to get them back. In addition, she said, with the dog pound revamped she could invite volunteers to work with the animals. “It will open up a lot of possibilities,” she said. At one point, McDonald said, the town offered a full adoption program. Because her hours are limited, however, she now only holds dogs for 10 days. She then brings them to an animal rescue league facility in Worcester that checks them for any problems and then attempts to have them adopted. “The less time any dog spends in a shelter or rescue situation, obviously, the better,” she said. The five existing stalls will be sufficient for the town’s needs, McDonald said. Selectman Robert Columbus said that the Select Board’s chairman, Gerald Skelton, will work with Brandt to draw up plans for rebuilding the pound. Brandt will make sure that they are compliant with building codes and handicapped accessibility requirements. Skelton, who did not take part in the Tuesday site visit because of another obligation, said Monday that local residents have already offered to work on the building’s heating system, brickwork and other parts of the project. The town plans to accomplish the rebuilding effort almost entirely with community donations.

“The response has been tremendous,” he said. He said that, although the Baldwinville Road location is probably the best place to have the pound, there are alternatives if, for some reason, the project cannot be completed there. He said it might be possible to reopen Gardner’s old animal shelter, which is actually located in Templeton or to join together with Athol and Orange and use part of their shelter.

lgershon@thegardnernews.com