A dog-gone good time

Corning's Chamber of Commerce and Animal Shelter partnered up for this month's "Corning In The Evening," event on Thursday.

Hosted by Second Chance Pet Rescue which helps immensely at the animal shelter, the event brought a crowd to the shelter which otherwise never have the opportunity to see how the shelter is run, the dogs housed there and the condition of the shelter.

Debbie Eaglebarger, shelter caretaker and president of Second Chance, welcomed the crowd on business people, chamber members and directors and local residents.

Eaglebarber took the group on a tour of the facilities and explained the progress the shelter has made over the years.

"At one time the shelter had an 86 percent kill ratio," she said. "In 2009 in was down to 2 percent."

The dog and cat spay and neuter program was talked about, as well as Second Chance's Dog Socialization Training Program held at the shelter.

"I am very proud of what we are accomplishing here," Eaglebarger said. "But so much more needs to be done. The shelter needs upgrading so the dogs kept here have adequate facilities."

So far this year the shelter has had 200 dogs, 32 of which were adopted, 51 went to rescue groups, 71 returned to their owners, and three euthanized.

"Right now we have 24 dogs at the shelter that need homes and two in foster care," Eaglebarger explained.