No-kill shelter turning away new animals

SAVANNAH, Mo. -- One of the nation's largest no-kill shelters is turning away animals and its owners say they need donations in order to stay open.

Lisa and Gary Silverglat have spent about $6 million in the last 18 years operating the M'Shoogy's Emergency Animal Rescue on about 20 acres of property in the northwest Missouri town of Savannah.

But the money -- earned through several business ventures -- is beginning to dwindle. There's enough money left for only one more year -- two if the economy picks up. Still, the couple is hopeful more donations and volunteers will help the shelter continue operating.

"It's so overwhelming just to take care of the animals we have, we've just run out of resources," Gary Silverglat said.

Each year's operation, including wages for three part-time employees, costs about $250,000. To save money, the couple has already tapered back the number of animals they rescue -- their dog population is about 450, down from the more typical 700.

Later this month, the couple plans to open a veterinary clinic in a converted mobile home. An onsite veterinarian should save them $40,000 a year and possibly generate some revenue, Lisa Silverglat said.

The shelter got its start 18 years ago when the couple moved to the country to raise Lisa Silverglat's children. The couple built fences and pens after 13 dogs were dumped on or near their property the first summer.

They had 64 abandoned dogs by the next summer and entered the sheltering business the third year.

"We decided to not just take in the animals, but to fix the problem," Gary Silverglat said.

The couple estimates they've cared for tens of thousands of animals over the years and adopted out as many as 2,000 during a good year. But adoptions have dropped to about 800 a year since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Running a no-kill haven is more than financially draining -- M'Shoogy's is Yiddish for "crazy." In 18 years, Lisa Silverglat has been away from the shelter a total of 10 days, her husband only four.

"But you just can't not do it anymore," said Lisa Silverglat, 46. "How can anyone be on the face of the earth and not try to make it a better place? Maybe everyone doesn't have the chutzpah to do what we do, but they can do something."