Jackson and Bloomfield shelters join together at one location

Six to eight million dogs and cats enter animal shelters each year, and of these animals, an estimated 50 percent are euthanized, according to the Humane Society of the United States website. But a merger of two Southeast Missouri animal shelters who are committed to a "no-kill" policy, is meant to provide a safe refuge for the area's displaced animals.

Sundog Cat Sanctuary in Bloomfield, Mo., and Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary in Jackson are joining forces to establish a large no-kill shelter at Safe Harbor's Jackson location. Both shelters are not-for-profit, run entirely by volunteers and primarily shelter cats.

Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary opened in July 2005, and director Alice Wybert said her love of animals drew her to be director of the shelter.

"I hate to see anything hungry, neglected, hurt or abandoned," she said.

In addition to the 90 some cats they currently care for at the shelter, Wybert has four of her own and takes any of the sick ones to her house to care for.

"I have a blind cat and one with cerebral palsy," she said.

With the help of local veterinarians, all animals of an appropriate age at Safe Harbor are spayed or neutered and given basic inoculations. They are then placed in the free-roam facility or in a foster home. No Safe Harbor animal is euthanized unless it is medically necessary.

Wybert said Safe Harbor decided to merge with Sundog Cat Sanctuary last fall after seeing many shelters close because of financial problems.

"Even though neither of us were having financial difficulties, we decided to join forces," she said.

The merge will double Safe Harbor's feline population from 100 to 200 cats, creating an immediate need for a new building and additional supplies. Safe Harbor hopes to have the building constructed by June 1, and has set up the "Give Me Shelter" campaign to raise money for the project. Wybert said organizers are about a third of the way to an estimated $60,000 goal.

Monetary donations can help with medical care and spay/neuter programs, but donations of goods and services are also accepted.

Volunteers can donate their time with direct care to the animals, or by helping with the necessary carpentry. The facility needs benches, chairs, shelves, beds and catwalks.

Additionally, the animals need litter boxes, litter scoops, food and water dishes, collars, beds, toys, cat food and litter.

According to Safe Harbor's website, it takes 150 pounds of food and 400 pounds of litter a week to care for 100 cats. Since the merge will bring an additional 100 cats to the facility, they will use 300 pounds of food and 800 pounds of litter a week.

All donations are tax deductible and receipts are provided for all in-person and online donations.

To make a donation, visit www.safeharboranimalsanctuary.org/donate/donate.shtml or send a check made payable to Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary to 359 Cree Lane, Jackson, Mo., 63755.