Family makes 'Patches' shelter's first adoption

Adopted late last month, Patches (front) was the first dog from the Putnam County Animal Care and Control Shelter to find a new home. The dog was adopted by Ernest Manley (center in cap) and his family, girlfriend Starlett Demery and their children Lilly Manley, Makenzie Elmore, Dylan Stafford and Isaiah Manley. Those honoring the family for their adoption included Animal Care and Control Director Randy Patrick; HSPC volunteers Rebecca Johnson, Anastasia Wells and Sandy Grimes; HSPC mascot Rex; Animal Care and Control Officer Rodney Cline, Animal Care and Control board member Lisa Mock and Sheriff Scott Stockton. (Banner Graphic/Jared Jernagan)

It's been a long process, but animals are again available for adoption from the Putnam County Animal Shelter.

After making "Patches" the first dog adoption from the shelter since 2011, Ernest Manley and family were honored Saturday at Rescued Treasures, the Humane Society of Putnam County's Greencastle thrift store.

The family, which includes Manley, girlfriend Starlett Demery and children Lilly and Isaiah Manley, Dylan Stafford and Makenzie Elmore, has had Patches since late last month, after Manley stopped at the shelter at 4700 E. SR 240.

"I stopped in by myself and fell in love with the dog," Manley said. "Then I brought the family and we got her."

With four children between them, Manley and Demery had to have a dog that was good with kids.

"She loves the kids. She runs around the yard and plays with them," Manley said. "She's one of the fastest dogs I've ever owned."

Although Manley and family were honored on Saturday for the first adoption, nine shelter animals have found new homes since late last month through the efforts of Humane Society of Putnam County volunteers.

"Rebecca Johnson and the HSPC did a huge job last week," Putnam County Animal Care and Control Director Randy Patrick said. "They got like seven dogs adopted in two days."

Getting back to this point has been a challenge for the partnership of the HSPC and the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. Patrick and fellow Animal Control Officer Rodney Cline have been taking animal calls since July, but the operation has gotten back to being a fully operational shelter only recently, thanks to HSPC volunteers.

Along the way, the effort was hampered by an investigation into missing shelter funds that yielded the arrest of an Indianapolis man earlier this month.

"Through the challenges of the investigation, we have persevered together -- the Sheriff's Department and the Humane Society," Sheriff Scott Stockton said. "We're going to have challenges in the future but we're going to stick together. This is a critical need."

The sheriff also praised HSPC Board President Sandy Grimes for the efforts of her organization.

Grimes discussed the need for ongoing fundraising to continue to fund animal control efforts, including Rescued Treasures as well as events organized by DePauw students.

She also said that the Humane Society is always looking for volunteers.

Anyone interested in learning more about the shelter, the animal care and control department or the HSPC will have the chance on Saturday, Oct. 24 during an open house from noon-4 p.m.

For more information, the shelter office can be reached at 653-1943 and the HSPC is available at Rescued Treasures, 653-7174.

For animal-related calls, contact Putnam County Dispatch at 653-5115 or dial 911 for emergencies.