A humble beginning turns into something larger

Last week, 15 chocolate lab puppies and 15 older labs were coated in feces and urine, in need of water and warmth. Today, they are in a giving, caring facility that is treating them for ailments and searching for the right owner who will give them the attention they need.

The dogs were taken from an abandoned residence and barn, where food was left out to fight over. The overpowering smell of ammonia from the urine filled the residence and every dog could be smelled from 10 feet away. The dogs in the barn had little protection from the elements as the wind and cold came through the walls. Thompson River Animal Care Shelter, TRACS, organized the rescue and is holding onto many of the dogs as they are being prepared for adoption.

For TRACS, the events of last week bring back memories of how the shelter began and where it is now today.

Wanda Thorpe, operations manager and founder, did not have a background in animal care, only a love for pets. Until 2006, Thorpe was a drug representative who sold pharmaceuticals, and traveled extensively doing so. While in Noxon, she visited a small animal shelter and it hit her. “It kind of came about because I had an epiphany... you would call it that one day...,” she said as she described visiting the tiny shelter. She thought to herself, “... And I thought, oh my gosh, where are all the animals in Sanders County going? And I decided I needed to start an animal shelter.”

In the beginning, after work with friends and her husband, Thorpe created an animal shelter incorporated business in September of 2006 and by December 2006, had it registered as a 501c3. She ran the business out of her home and had the animals in her basement and garage, “Anywhere I could stick them...,” she said.

Shortly thereafter, TRACS would become one of the most well known animal shelters in the state of Montana. A story not to dissimilar from the events of last weekend, unfolded in 2007. Reports from an individual, described a breeder in the Plains region that had a lot of dogs that were being abused. Reports were made, and coincidently, the Sheriff’s Department was investigating the property at that time for an escaped convict. Upon discovery it was found that the residence contained dozens of dogs. In partnership with the Sheriff Department, the rescue of the dogs became the largest rescue in Montana’s history. “And we took of 64 dogs. And they all went to my house... And we built kennels, and we did it overnight...” Wanda laughed as she reminisced about how it turned the business into what it is today. “So that’s how we started, with a big bang!” Thorpe exclaimed.

TRACS has since then relocated to just outside of downtown Thompson Falls, just off Interstate 200. It is set back into the woods with a high chain-link fence, with pines dotting the property and a walking trail. There is a gate that is locked when the facility is closed for safety of the animals. Captain, a large cat, will welcome you as you step out of the car as you walk towards the main office. Inside, dogs and cats welcome you, there are desks with paper, rooms that have been retrofitted to hold young puppy litters, and a small kitchen.

Marcy Shermikas, the Shelter Manager, will be there from nine to five, Tuesdays through Saturdays, at the back desk covered in papers. It is her duty to maintain the day to day business of care for the animals, and one of her most notable jobs is to evaluate walk in citizens and call-ins who want to adopt. As a person who works with the public. it is also her duty to work with a possible adoptee to find the right dog and provide information for people who need help if they want to surrender a pet to the facility.

Most of the facilities’ income comes from the adoption fees, determined by the animal’s vet needs, and spay and neuter costs, which is done to every animal. Donations are also given by foundations and individuals. Shermikas, other employees and volunteers, work with vets in the area to treat the animals and prepare them for adoption. With the increase in dogs taken in and the recent rescue, Shermikas and the other facility workers have been working overtime, especially with the influx of applications for the chocolate labs. Sitting on Thorpe’s desks, was reportedly 50 to 60 applications and more coming in on the computer.

“I do love working here...,” Shermikas said, despite the demanding work of caring for the animals and working with the public. The consensus was the same around the facility, despite the unending work needed to be done for the animals of the shelter.

Leaving the front door of the office, you will see to the right, a completely enclosed dog kennel  with enclosed partitions, washing machines and sinks. Doors lead to outside pens, for the dogs to get fresh air. Some sections contain small groups of dogs who get along well together; each dog has its own bowl of food and water, and an elevated bed.

Over the sound of barking, Barb Chisenhall, an employee of TRACS, described the morning routine. She, along with other workers, take the dogs out on walks around the facility every morning, past trees and the buildings of the facility. Some dogs, who have never been walked, are introduced slowly to it and are given positive reinforcement. The morning also consists of cleaning the pens, changing the blankets, feeding, watering and assessing the progress of the dogs road to recovery or training.

“My heart is in this 110 percent... I enjoy the animals so much. It makes me feel so good when they find a forever home... And there is a lot of heartbreak. I’ve shed a lot of tears... There’s a lot of joy too.” Chisenhall described as she mopped the outside pens and changed the dogs laundry.

To maintain a constant inflow to match the outflow of dogs from the facility, TRACS will travel to other shelters or humane societies from all around and will take on any dog, regardless of its health. Smaller breeds have become popular to take in. TRACS takes in many dogs from California. Thorpe describes it as, “A high kill state.” TRACS is a no kill shelter and will hold onto a dog as long as possible. TRACS tries to maintain full capacity. Two little miniatures were being introduced to the leash for the first time, while Chisenhall was working.

“Some people think dogs and cats are furniture.” Paul Perkins said with a look of disgust on his face. Paul Perkins, who works through Experience Works, an outside platform to help people in need of a job, works along side Chisenhall many mornings.

As Chisenhall cleaned any droppings from the dogs, he explained he never knew he would be working with animals, but after being laid off in 2007, through an employment office and then eventually Experience Works, Perkins started working at TRACS in 2012. “I like it.” he said as he continued with his work.

Across the driveway is a cat trailer, where cats are cared for. The trailer has been retrofitted so the cats can walk out through a door to an enclosed deck and play outside. “Dogs go faster than cats...” said Thorpe.

New dogs come in everyday and dogs leave. TRACS will take in strays, animals from homes where the owner has passed away, or from people who cannot continue to care for a pet. The employees and volunteers all explained there is always something new. The hours are one to five, when the public can view the dogs, or they can do drop-offs after working with Shermikas. In addition to travel, care at the facility, and rescues, TRACS works in partnership with Pet Smart in Missoula to showcase the dogs who are ready to be adopted and to raise donation funds.

As the morning cleanup and walk comes to a close, by afternoon, it begins again with a new crew, who walks the dogs and feeds them.

From a humble beginning, which started out in Thorpe’s house, TRACS is now a multi-building facility, currently the only large privately owned animal shelter in Sanders County. TRACS has also reached out into neighboring states.

As Chisenhall’s shift ended and headed for her car, she enthusiastically explained, “I was about 162 pounds when I started TRACS and I lost 40 pounds... The dogs were my exercise machine.”