Making the Impossible Possible

Cheatham County Animal Control is making the impossible possible.In fact, Cheatham’s director Kristin Reid, used that exact phrase when she explained her attitude towards her new job as director of a shelter that had such atrocious conditions before she took it over eighteen months ago that a group of local shelter directors said it should simply be closed down.The shelter has only a $60,000 budget with which to maintain a building, run animal control calls, and handle over 1200 animals each year. Cheatham is an open-intake shelter so they have no choice but to accept every owner surrender for any reason, plus strays and seizures, basically any and all animals in trouble in Cheatham County, TN.Kristin stepped into a situation that required she rebuild many damaged relationships, not the least of which was with the community. She had to decide what to with the enormous amount of debris covering the immense property that included unused decaying equipment and kennels, buildings and holding areas with dirt floors which are impossible to sanitize, a plethora of vehicles (even a forklift!), and heaven knows what else. Below are pictures inside one of the unused building that previously housed dogs.

On that meager budget, Kristin finds a way to meet medical needs, including emergencies, even tests each dog for heartworm and then gives them preventatives while they stay at Cheatham. As she said, “There’s no reason to test them if you aren’t going to give preventatives.” Her attitude about pretty much everything is that if you’re not going to do it right, why do it at all?At this point, Cheatham sends more dogs out through rescue than adopts locally, but I have a feeling those numbers may begin to even out and perhaps go the other direction with Kristin at the helm at Cheatham.She has big plans for continuing to partner with the community and bring them on board. Cheatham is so lucky to have her—one thing I’ve learned over and over again on these visits is that the success of a shelter, no matter their budget or community, comes down to leadership. The director sets the tone. At Cheatham, every staff member we encountered was professional, polite, positive and welcoming. There was a mutual respect evident between not just director and staff, but volunteers too.Managing a shelter and saving every dog possible on just $60K only happens with good leadership. Having an ‘I will find a way’ attitude goes a long way to making the impossible possible.If you'd like to help Cheatham continue to do the impossible, you can donate items from their Amazon wishlist. Please do not send money as monetary donations go into the county government's budget and not necessarily to Animal Control.It is hot here in the south and we are making our way to Alabama. To keep track of our progress and see more photos and videos of our adventures, follow our Facebook page or Instagram.Blessings,Cara