Love of animals has influence on young woman’s life
Erin Wieldraayer, of Royal City, is the newest staff member at Adams County Pet Rescue.
Adams County Pet Rescue courtesy photo
Being raised on a farm is not necessarily a guarantee that you will want to spend the rest of your life in that situation. But for some, like Erin Wieldraayer, of Royal City, it definitely had a positive impact and now, everything she does reflects that, especially when it comes to animals.
“I grew up with horses, dogs, cats and the occasional goldfish,” Wieldraayer said.
Today, she has two corgis, a quarter horse and a cat. And knowing there was only so much room even on a farm for animals, it meant finding a place for the many strays that found themselves at their place.
“We have found lots of strays,” Wieldraayer said. “At Christmas Eve one year, someone left a box of puppies under our tree.”
The answer was to take the strays to Adams County Pet Rescue, especially because Wieldraayer has known ACPR director Kyya Grant since she was a child. It also seemed natural for her to become the newest staff member at the shelter.
“Kyya needed office, computer and book help,” Wieldraayer said.
Her experience meant it was a perfect fit. She graduated from Central Washington University with a business degree and then began doing the books for a business in Royal City. Between that job and her new one at ACPR (both part-time), she works full time and still has time left for her love of riding her horse and going to shows.
“I’m learning to rope,” she said. “And the dogs travel to the shows with me.”
In addition to horses, she maintains a large garden that she loves working in. It keeps her busy on top of being a 4-H leader, being involved in a non-profit horse club and working at ACPR, the business in Royal City and on the farm. Recently, she joined the Adams County Fair Board at Grant’s suggestion.
Wieldraayer said one of the best things about working at the shelter is getting to see all the pets and animals when they come in.
“That’s really fun,” she said. “I would also like to help with fundraising for the cats.”
Adams County Pet Rescue is located at 1961 Bench Road east of the fairgrounds. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The facility is closed Mondays and Thursdays for cleaning.
To contact ACPR, call (509) 488-5514 or email adopt@AdamsCountyPetRescue. Be sure to visit the website at www.adamscountypetrescue.com and like their Facebook page.