Eagan running young and long for local shelter animals
Although Cathi Eagan is not a Putnam County resident, her name is well known here.
She is the person behind the many transports of adoptable shelter dogs in Putnam County to states in New England.
"Throughout the New England states, the spay/neuter message has been heard over the past 15 years so that their shelters are in need of adoptable dogs," said Eagan in an e-mail message to members of the Putnam County Humane Shelter board.
Eagan has entered a $10,000 BP Gasoline Corporation gas competition that she hopes to win in order to help fund the transports she makes every month.
"In 300 words or less, I was to explain what keeps me running younger for longer," she said. "They are selecting 20 stories on Nov. 1. So keep fingers and toes crossed."
The story Eagan submitted tells of the 4,247 Indiana dogs that have been transported (as of July 2009) to New England partners.
In her submission to BP, Eagan says, "Each month, I spend at least 60 hours (evenings and weekends since I have a full-time position as assistant dean of the University Graduate School at Indiana University) organizing a caravan of four to five cargo vans who make the trip with me, carrying approximately 80-100 shelter dogs to New England each month."
She goes on to discuss the cost for gasoline, tolls and van rental to the tune of about $3,200 a month. She pays the expenses out of her own pocket upfront. The New England shelters reimburse her in time for the next month's delivery.
"However, this money comes from the 501c3 New England shelters' budgets which -- if provided by another funding source -- could be used to further help homeless and stray animals," said Eagan.
She explains why she makes the 2,000-mile transport through Canine Express each month to help save the lives of shelter dogs.
"These projects make my life very full and rich. I feel I am running young and hope to run long."
For information about the Putnam County Humane Shelter visit their Web sit at http://www.hspcanimals.org, e-mail them at hspcanimals@yahoo.com or call 653-5739.
For information about Canine Express visit www.caineexpress.org