For a homeless animal, life sans a family is tough enough. Then factor illness into the mix, and you've got the makings of a very sad scenario, as most shelters struggle to care for their healthy charges - let alone the sick ones.
Thankfully the City of Fort Worth - in partnership with the Community Foundation of North Texas and a menagerie of generous donors - broke ground Jan. 15 on a 4,600-square-foot medical treatment ward that will up the capacity to house and treat ailing animals at the Chuck Silcox Animal Shelter. It's slated to open in September.
"With the new addition, shelter staff will now be able to add a sound medical treatment program as they strive to reach their goal of saving the life of every healthy and treatable dog and cat that comes through their doors," according to a released statement from the City of Fort Worth. The addition will enable a minimum of 60 dogs and cats to be isolated and treated, the release notes.
Some 20,000 strays land at the shelter annually, many of which are brought in sick. Now with the multiplied square footage and expanded access to medical treatment, our local four-leggeds will finally get the care they deserve.- Alison Rich
