Two of the thirteen kittens housed in the Westfield Regional Animal Shelter having a nap. (Photo by Peter Currier)
WESTFIELD- The Westfield Regional Animal Shelter (WRAS) will experience reduced hours over the next couple of months due to a staff shortage.
The Apremont Way animal shelter will be closed on Fridays over the next four to six weeks due to a combination of one Animal Control Officer (ACO) recently leaving the position and the Shelter Director Lori Charette being out on medical leave. This means that, for the time being, the shelter will only be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from noon to 4:30 p.m.
In a post announcing the move on the shelter’s Facebook page, it was stated that those who need to license their dog outside of those hours can go to the police department headquarters on Washington Street Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The registration can also be mailed to the shelter.
An up close look at Crowley, the larger of the two dogs currently at the shelter. Crowley is believed to be a mix of part German Shepard and another unknown breed. (Photo by Peter Currier)
Terri Kutayli of the WRAS said that they are waiting for Charette to return before they begin the hiring process for a new ACO. When that time comes, the ACO will have to be confirmed by the Police Commission in a three-person vote.
Kutayli said that they are also asking for donations of supplies from the community to help take care of the many animals currently being house at the shelter. As of Saturday, the shelter housed two dogs, 13 kittens, one adult cat, and two large adult rabbits. Kutayli noted that the kittens are all being spayed and neutered starting on Monday.
In another Facebook post, the shelter said that the 13 kittens are fed several times a day.
“If you would like to help us out by donating canned kitten food or litter, we would be most appreciative,” said the shelter in their Facebook post.
Ryan, an older but sweet-natured cat at the animal shelter. (Photo submitted by Caitlin Duncan)
Kutayli added that they will also take donations of bleach and detergent to help keep the animal’s living area and supplies clean.
