DeKalb Animal Shelter partners with rescue organizations

January 30, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

For all the homeless, abandoned, unwanted and forgotten pets, shelters and rescues are the only chance they get at having a happy life.

At the DeKalb Animal Coalition Shelter every effort is made to finding dogs and cats a new forever home but sometimes they need help. That’s when animal rescues often come to the rescue.

In an interview with WJLE Friday, DeKalb Animal Shelter Director Megan Moore and shelter employee Emmaly Bennett explained how that works.

What does rescue mean?

“It is a question we receive often here at the shelter and we wanted to shed some light on what exactly it means. We partner with a variety of local, out of state, and breed specific animal rescues in order to provide more and sometimes better opportunities for the companion animals in our care to find their forever homes,” said Director Moore.

“Some rescues have adopters already committed to taking our dogs and cats prior to them ever leaving our shelter. Some go straight to a foster that provides a loving, nurturing home environment while their pet waits for their adopter. Others are transported out of state to a foster or adoption facility. All the rescues we work with are no kill and choose which animals they are able to help and that is particularly vital when we have animals that need special care, socialization, or are not adjusting to shelter life very well,” she continued.

“ We are thankful to have the contacts and opportunities to work with rescues. It allows us at the DeKalb Animal Shelter to maintain our low kill policy while still serving our community to the best of our ability. We only have so many kennels so the more adoptions and rescues we facilitate the more availability we have to take in pets in need within our community,” said Bennett.

Why do rescues take animals from our shelter?

“Due to much stricter spay and neuter laws and enforced animal registrations the areas that our rescues transport to are generally the northern states and don’t have the overpopulation problems that we have here. Adoption facilities are in need of a variety of cats and dogs to fill their shelters. Adopters patiently wait for new pets to become available. The partnership has provided success in reducing euthanasia in local shelters throughout the Upper Cumberland,” added Bennett.

“We hope this information helps you understand a little more about what we do and how much we care. As always you can find current adoptable pets on our website at https://www.dekalbanimalshelter.com/ and apply directly from their photo. We are open by appointment only due to COVID but you can call us at 615-597-3647 or send us a message on Facebook,” said Moore.

January 30, 2021
By:

DeKalb Telephone Cooperative, Inc. d/b/a DTC Communications board of directors has appointed Kathy Pugh to fill the unexpired term of her late husband, Roy Pugh, continuing her husband’s dedication and commitment to the members and DTC Communications. She joins the 10-member board responsible for overseeing the cooperative, serving the Auburntown exchange.

“After living and being active in the community for almost 30 years, I am looking forward to serving the people of Auburntown as a DTC board member. It’s a privilege to do so,” Pugh says. “I want to thank the DTC management and board of directors for entrusting me with this opportunity to serve. My goal is to work closely with DTC management and board to ensure our customers and community are well
served.”

Kathy Pugh retired in 2012 from State Farm’s regional office after 43 1/2 years. Roy Pugh passed away in December, having served DTC for 37 years.

DTC Communications is a member-owned telecommunications cooperative established in 1951. The
cooperative provides communication, entertainment, and security products and services to residential
and business customers, primarily throughout Middle Tennessee.

January 29, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County High School will return to public attendance guidelines for sporting events that were in place when the season began starting next week.

The remaining DCHS home basketball games are on Tuesday February 2 and Tuesday, February 9.

“With the Governor lifting the most recent restrictions, TSSAA is allowing sporting events to return to a 1/3 seating capacity limit that was in place during the first part of the season,” said DCHS Principal Randy Jennings.

“There will be a limited number of tickets sold to the public each game. Tickets will be sold starting at 12:30 p.m. on game day and will be sold until the seating capacity is reached. Tickets are $7.00. All season ticket holders are guaranteed admittance to the game,” said Jennings.

“All fans will have their temperature checked and they must wear a mask upon entering the gym”, added Principal Jennings.

“The guidance and rules of local education agencies and the TSSAA remain in place but Executive Order 74 will be suspended effective Monday, February 1,” Governor Bill Lee said in a statement Thursday.. “I encourage Tennesseans to keep up their responsible personal choices as we work towards a COVID-free Tennessee.”

The TSSAA COVID-19 Regulations and Rules Modifications for practice and competition as well as the current restrictions on preseason scrimmages and jamborees adopted by the Board of Control at their July 22 meeting are still in place for all sports and must be followed. Visit the Tennessee Returns to Play page of TSSAA.org for complete details.

With the Governor’s announcement, the restrictions limiting cheerleaders and members of the general public from attending contests will be lifted on Monday, February 1. The TSSAA rules regarding masks, temperature checks, social distancing and COVID-19 recommended venue capacities will remain in effect.

“We’re proud that our member schools have been taking steps to follow the Governor’s orders and limit the spread of the virus,” said Bernard Childress, Executive Director of TSSAA. “It is vitally important that we continue to be smart and safe in our activities, wear a mask, wash our hands and practice social distancing at every athletic contest.”

Member schools are encouraged to limit fan attendance to a number that will allow adequate social distancing (e.g., 1/4 to 1/3 of typical seating capacity, depending on the characteristics of the particular venue) and should mark/designate bleachers or seats in order to promote social distancing among spectators. Member schools must facilitate compliance with any applicable state or local order limiting gathering sizes for participation in public events. In consultation with local health providers, member schools in areas experiencing high virus transmission should consider further limitations on attendance (e.g., family members only, or no spectators). Limit informal gathering in areas where social distancing cannot be maintained.