The holidays have gone to the cats and dogs at Start Over Rover

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by Lauren Conley

Story Created: Dec 1, 2012 at 10:26 PM CDT

Story Updated: Dec 1, 2012 at 11:14 PM CDT

The 25 days until Christmas countdown has begun. You can pull out those advent calendars and start writing your Christmas lists. And, Saturday you could even take your pet to get into the holiday spirit.

News 5's Lauren Conley was at Start Over Rover for their Holiday Open House.

For these dogs and cats, Start Over Rover is just a temporary home.

"We've got real clever at this," said Connie Hansen, a member of the Start Over Rover Board of Directors. "We tell people, we get them here with cookies and punch and good company."

"Our primary motive is, some of them will walk out with an animal, and we know that," Hansen added.

Diane Peyton and her niece are taking Brindie home. Brindie came to the shelter a week ago after being abandoned in Lexington.

"She was scared and you just talk to them," Peyton explained. "They pick you."

As the organization helps these animals find forever homes, they're also celebrating an addition to their temporary one.

"A majority of our animals, their history is unknown or they have been found running or in adverse conditions," Hansen said. "So, we need to put them out of the general population for at least a week."

None of it would have been possible without donations.

Volunteer Renee Pauley donated $10,000 to the cause and the shelter is naming the new nursery in her honor.

"Dogs show unconditional love and there's such a need in the community," Pauley said.

Start Over Rover also received a $10,000 grant from Chase to help pay for supplies, but the work was all donated.

"It's pretty phenomenal," Hansen said. "It would have been an $80,000 renovation without all the donated work."

In 21 months of operation the shelter has re-homed 1,600 animals.

This new addition will help them re-home even more.

"When you see the community embrace you and you're totally dependent on their money and gifts and their time and their labor, I mean it's another confirmation that we're going to be around for awhile," Hansen said.

Along with Start Over Rover, Heartland Pet Connection in Hastings also offers shelter to homeless cats and dogs.

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