Sheltered dog numbers keep rising in Wayne County
Wayne County commissioner Ron Amstutz, right, listens as Dog Shelter Director and Dog Warden Katelyn Lehman addresses the Rotary Club of Wooster. Lehman said the number of dogs admitted to the shelter continues to rise. In 2024 to date, 278 dogs have come to the shelter, and there have been 158 adoptions.
A dog’s unconditional love and companionship brings joy to many. Dogs are more than just pets — they are family members. But a loving home is a distant dream for hundreds of area dogs. That’s where the Wayne County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center steps in and provides comfort to wayward canines.
Behind the shelter’s walls, many dogs are hoping for a second chance. For the dogs that call these shelters home, life has often been an unfortunate story of abuse, neglect or abandonment.
The reality is there are too many dogs and not enough homes.
Katelyn Lehman, shelter director and dog warden, and her eight-person staff provide temporary shelter, care and comfort to stray, abandoned, neglected and injured dogs. The number of dogs entering the shelter has continued to increase over the past few years.
“We love dogs,” Lehman said at a recent Wooster Rotary meeting. “We care about dogs, and we hold a high standard for ourselves.”
Lehman said the shelter is a no-kill shelter and that a dog will never be euthanized for its length of stay or space, noting one dog was a resident for 576 days before getting adopted. In traditional shelters the fate of dogs is determined by a ticking clock. If a dog isn’t adopted within a specific time frame, it may be euthanized to make room for new intakes.
According to Lehman, the shelter provides rehabilitation, socialization and training, making them more adoptable and increasing their chances of finding a forever home.
The shelter provides a haven for dogs and serves as a hub for pet owner education.
Shelter officials routinely provide talks and classes on dog licensure, spay and neuter, confinement laws, dog safety, bite prevention, and responsible pet ownership.
Thanks to the dedication of staff members, the shelter boasts a high placement rate. More than half of the nearly 800 dogs admitted to the shelter in 2023 were adopted, 278 were reunited with their owners and 38 were transferred to a rescue.
One of the fundraising initiatives Lehman started is the Pawsitive Impact Program, which allows businesses to make a difference in the life of a dog awaiting placement while gaining exposure to the shelter’s 28,000 Facebook followers.
For a $200 contribution, a business will receive a spotlight post showcasing the supported dog in front of the company, a displayed logo, a business description and contact information.
For more information about the shelter, visit www.waynedogshelter.org or www.facebook.com/waynedogshelter.
Dan Starcher is the public communications coordinator for Wayne County.