Local animal shelter, prisoners team up

OTHELLO - Six dogs from the Adams County Pet Rescue made the trip to Coyote Ridge Corrections Center Wednesday to begin a dog training program.

Jamie Krueger, director at the Pet Rescue shelter, said the six dogs starting in the program are not ready to be adopted and the prisoners provide basic training and teach manners to prepare the dogs for adoption. Many of the dogs fear people and require training to improve their interactions.

The six dogs range in size from Scooter, a chihuahua that members of the animal shelter tried to catch for six months, to Yukon, a large husky who is currently in foster care.

Lori Tellevia with Coyote Ridge said the dogs live with their trainer 24/7. Prisoners are paid $35 a month and can make as much as $55 as they gain experience.

Tellevia said the program not only prepares the dogs but provides self-improvement for the offenders, many of whom have never been responsible for the care of a living being. She added many of the dogs unready for adoption might have been put down if not involved in the program.

Members of the Pet Rescue center recently visited Coyote Ridge to see the program first-hand. Board Member Mikki Kison said they were all so impressed, they wanted to get involved but needed a way to cover the startup costs.

Three days later came a surprise grant letter from the Columbia Basin Foundation. The foundation awarded the shelter a $3,300 grant to assist with the costs including spaying and neutering, food and supplies. Donn Cook, executive director with the foundation, said the funds had recently become available and the dog training program was presented at a board meeting.

Coyote Ridge has now partnered with three animal shelter agencies, including a Tri-Cities shelter, to provide the training. There are currently 46 prisoners in the program as well as six mentor trainers.

During the program, the dogs wear different color bandanas signifying how far along they are in the training process, starting at yellow for new dogs up to green for dogs who have completed the process.

Once the dogs have completed training, they are assessed using the Canine Good Citizen requirements set by the American Kennel Club, then Coyote Ridge officials offer them for adoption.

The Adams County Pet Rescue is located in Othello, currently at a temporary shelter. The old shelter was destroyed in a fire four years ago and a new building is planned near the Adams County Fairgrounds. For more information, visit www.adamscountypetrescue.com