Myni Ferguson, a member of Flathead Shelter Friends, has a plan to convert a space with a grim history into a happy place for small dogs to frolic and a suite to separate some dogs for observation.

“It all got started with the big back room at the shelter which used to house the euthanasia tank,” Ferguson explained. “When the health department took over, we got rid of it [the tank].”

The county approved the proposed remodeling and Flathead Shelter Friends received a grant of $5,000 from Whitefish philanthropist John Kramer to seed the project. The money came with the proviso that the group raise a matching amount by the end of the year.

“This renovation will be funded privately,” Ferguson said. “We want the taxpayers to know that.”

The nonprofit has raised almost $2,500 so far but needs help from the public to gather the remaining dollars by Dec. 31. All contributions qualify for a tax deduction since they go to Flathead Shelter Friends.

The organization formed with a mission to support the county facility when it became a low-kill facility. The change in philosophy two years ago meant healthy, adoptable dogs and cats stay as long as it takes to find new homes.

As a result, the shelter confronted new challenges with housing dogs and cats over the long term in a facility designed for short stays. 

“We don’t euthanize for space,” Ferguson said.

Now, only the very old and very sick animals are humanely euthanized by a veterinarian who has a clinic space behind the shelter. With the euthanasia tank gone, the back room became an area for storage and occasionally overflow kennels for small dogs.

“It’s not a real inviting place,” Ferguson said.

When Kramer, an animal lover, offered a $5,000 matching grant to assist Flathead Shelter Friends, Ferguson said inspiration struck.

“I almost immediately thought of that room,” she said. “Two of our desperate needs are a quarantine or observation suite and a place for small dogs where they could be viewed for easier adoption.”

Ferguson remembers the day she spotted, just by chance, a small ball of fur cowering in the dark recesses of a cage. The tiny canine became the new best pal to a hairdresser who recently lost her small dog.

“I might not have even noticed him there,” she said.

Ferguson also recounted how a relatively new female dog at the shelter went into labor recently and had to give birth in the men’s room since the facility had no separate holding area.

To solve these dilemmas, she put her hours spent in animal shelter design courses to good use to draw a plan for open housing for small dogs and an observation/quarantine area for any size dog.

The small dog area was dubbed Chipper’s Smallville in honor of Kramer’s Lhasa apso.

Ferguson called Smallville a very friendly adoption area incorporating the progressive open housing concept where dogs aren’t in cages during the daytime and potential new owners pet, play and groom the little dogs to get acquainted. The plan also has a fenced-off area for an outdoor courtyard.

“It’s a very scientifically proven way to house animals,” she said. “It lessens stress — with less stress, you have less sickness.”

The shelter has remodeled a former conference room into a similar facility for cats that has proven very successful at enhancing their adoptions and their quality of life. Ferguson aims for the same result with this renovation.

“My personal goal is to make the facility easier and safer to hold animals for longer periods,” she said. “It’s really coming together bit by bit but we need the community’s ongoing help.”

With the downturn in the economy, the shelter has encountered more and more people having to give up their pets after losing their housing. Ferguson pointed out that supporting the shelter offers peace of mind to these people.

Ferguson related the story of a man who had virtually lost his way of life after losing his job. He was forced to bring his two pets to the shelter so he could move into a small apartment with his son.

Her eyes well up as she related his devastation at walking out the door without his two best friends.

“He went outside and completely lost it,” she said. “One thing we can do is ensure these animals receive the best of care.”

Ferguson said Flathead Shelter Friends appreciates donations of any size, made either online at www.flatheadshelterfriends.com or mailed to Flathead Shelter Friends, Inc., P.O. Box 567, Lakeside, Montana 59922.

“They can also stop by the shelter, take a look at the dogs and cats, say hi to the staff and drop off a check,” Ferguson said.

The Flathead County Animal Shelter is located south of Kalispell at 225 Cemetery Road.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.