Plans unveiled for pet shelter in Clear Lake

A Clear Lake couple has announced plans for “Patriots for Pets Rescue and Shelter,” a 501©(3) non-profit corporation to be built.

Debbie and Chuck Kern, owners of The Animal House in Clear Lake, have begun clearing land south of their boarding facility on North 40th Street to construct a no-kill animal rescue and shelter building. The new 6,000 square foot building will house approximately 75 homeless dogs and cats with quarantine 

units.  

Debbie Kern approached the Clear Lake City Council last week, asking to be placed on the Council’s agenda in the near future.  She hopes to receive funding from the city for the project.

The Kerns say the shelter will relieve the current need for persons and cities to place homeless animals.  Currently the Humane Society of North Iowa, which is also a no-kill facility, has a three to six-month waiting list to surrender animals that the owners can no longer keep.

In addition to adopting dogs and cats to the public, Patriots for Pets will also be working with numerous veteran organizations to help Wounded Warriors adopt, at no charge, a companion pet.  

The organization is also a member of the Purina 55+ Club that encourages seniors to adopt pets.  

Patriots for Pets has been licensed by the State of Iowa Agriculture Department as a rescue/shelter and has started doing some rescue and adoptions while the new building is under construction, according to Debbie Kern.  Dr. Brice Schupanitz, of the Garner Veterinary Clinic, will provide care for animals at the rescue and shelter and will offer advice for on-going procedures for medical care.  Staff will be on call 24-hours a day to assist with emergency needs of various law enforcement agencies, added Kern.

All animals adopted from Patriots for Pets will be spayed/neutered, current on all shots, temperament checked and, when the new building is opened, a micro-chip program will be implemented.  Efforts are also being made to insure that the pet and person are a good fit for each other and the adoption procedure will be fairly simple, she said. - Read More Via e-Edition