Council Bluffs Animal Shelter

By definition, the word "solace" means "that which furnishes comfort or consolation." Coincidently, the Council Bluffs Animal Shelter volunteer group's acronym spells S.O.L.A.S. and although it is spelled differently, it provides the same thing for many unwanted dogs, cats, and other animals living in Council Bluffs.

S.O.L.A.S. was started in 1993 by Mike and Mary Jones and a small, hardworking group of volunteers. The purpose of the group is to assist in the care and placement of the animals at the Council Bluffs Animal Shelter. S.O.L.A.S. is a 501(c)3 Not for Profit organization. Volunteer support has included painting the shelter, bathing and grooming animals, walking dogs, and providing foster care for animals who are either injured or too young to place for adoption. Members of the group also speak at various functions, promote public awareness and pet owner responsibility, and photograph animals available for adoption and place photos Petfinder.com and on posters in local stores.

The group also encourages local support for such national events as the Doris Day Animal League Spay Day, the Adopt-A-Thon, and Be Kind to Animals Week.

Finally, S.O.L.A.S. tries to provide financial assistance to the animals at the shelter. The members have several fund raising activities each year including craft fairs, selling candy bars, Santa Paws pictures, and other activities through out the year. The money raised is then used for such things as dry mats for the kennels, a bathtub for use at the shelter, a washer and dryer, dog and cat treats, stainless steel bowls and litter pans, cat cages for foster care, and medicine treatment for sick or injured animals. The money is also used to strongly promote spaying and neutering, since most of the animals at the shelter are the result of indiscriminate and irresponsible breeding.

S.O.L.A.S. has many different areas in which to volunteer. Some of these include assisting at the shelter, foster care, publicity, or fundraising. Meetings are generally held the second Tuesday of each month with special activities scheduled as needed or required. If you would like more information, please contact Mary Jones at (712) 256-2287.

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