Callaway Hills Animal Shelter evolved in the 1980's when the late Betty Weldon, of Jefferson City, MO, learned healthy dogs were being put to sleep at a city pound. A lifelong dog lover, she became very upset and wanted to try stop that from happening. As a result, she generously volunteered to accept any dog that ended up on "death row." Her initial plan was to allow the dog to live a good life o
n her horse farm. She had no idea that so many dogs were routinely put to sleep. The number of ones she saved, eventually grew so large she was unable to house any more. Weldon resolved that issue by deciding to build kennels on the property of Callaway Hills Stable adjacent to one of her farm houses. Next she hired an additional employee, strictly to care for the dogs and eventually cats. Soon the tenant was out and the farm house literally went to the dogs! (&cats)
The first shelter manager was Judy McDonald, from Boston, a recent graduate of William Woods University. Shortly thereafter, Betty Weldon's eldest daughter, Lenore "Tony" Weldon returned from Kentucky and took up residence on the farm. Judy and Tony helped turn Mrs. Weldon's project into a more structured shelter, by creating and implementing formal adoption policies. They also made sure every single animal was spayed/neutered. Animals were no longer regularly accepted from public animal shelters. Instead, the two young women became dedicated to animal rescue. They devoted a great deal of time to saving abandoned and abused pets that no one else was willing to help. Very common, often during the hottest and coldest months of the year to hear from a landlord or neighbor reporting that a family had moved, leaving their pets behind. Usually locked up in a ramshackle house or run down mobile home. They left the animals with no provisions and no intention of ever returning. The Callaway County once called on Callaway Hills to stable a few severely neglected horses, along with a number of Dalmatians. As it turned out most of the dogs were pregnant females. For quite awhile the shelter appeared to resemble a scene out of 101 Dalmatians. Years later, Boone County contacted CHAS. Their prosecutor had an abuse and neglect case against a breeder. It involved well over a dozen dogs, primarily Dobermans, along with a couple German Shepherds and a Rottweiler. The PA's dilemma was the fact that while the case was ongoing, even his own County's animal shelter was unwilling to risk the expense of caring for that many dogs for an undetermined length of time. CHAS was already lacking space. That many large dogs, all arriving at the same time could pose a problem. There was also the additional liability to consider when handling those particular breeds with unknown temperaments. The shelter is open each day to the public...lots of children. Tony, with a particular passion for Dobermans took on the responsibility virtually by herself. Another major consideration was the fact many of the dogs were known to fight each other and none were spayed or neutered. Tony discovered there were just enough stalls in the farm's empty old dairy barn. Each dog was assigned its own. Months later the owner was found guilty of all charges and the dogs became the property of Callaway Hills. The shelter was able to adopt out all of them to good homes. One senior Doberman, that had been trained as a guard dog, was not put up for public adoption. She moved in with Tony, and lived happily for many more years. The total cost of operating the shelter, (generally over $100,000 a year) was funded by Mrs. Weldon's newspaper business for most of its existence. In the '90s it obtained legal status as a not for profit charity. As more people became aware of the shelter, its successful adoption program, and rescue work, the shelter began receiving donations. They were a help, but the total amount per year was never large enough to cover more than the cost of one month's expenses. Weldon died, the Shelter ended up on the agenda while her estate was being settled. Her son and youngest daughter had no interest in the shelter's current or future fate. They didn't think that their mother's pets or the animals at CHAS, should be their responsibility. Eventually it was agreed that they both would make a one time donation. Together the total of their donations was sufficient to run the shelter for approximately 10 months. That amount, along with donations in remembrance of their Mother and a $35,000 donation in exchange for a stallion breeding kept the shelter afloat for a year and a half. Thankfully some people continued to make donations, but the bulk of funding came to rest entirely on Tony's shoulders. By 2013 CHAS had depleted virtually all personal and farm resources. Regardless, of the worst scenario, the remaining animals would continue to receive the necessary care. Thanks to Diamond Dog Food, the bulk of the dogs' food was & continues to provided, free of charge.That in itself was a factor in keeping the shelter alive. Unfortunately, for most of its existence, numerous pets are regularly dumped at the shelter, making it impossible to keep down-sizing it, let alone attempting to "shut it down." Furthermore, CHAS provides a greatly needed service. It's often been the only chance for an injured dog or cat. Pam Wather, associated with the shelter for many years, took action. She became a relentless non stop fund raiser. CHAS has now survived "on its own" and conducted major rescues, for almost 2 years due in large part to her efforts. Part of the shelter's income is from adoption fees. Yet it is very rare that any adoption fee covers an animal's total medical expenses and care prior to their adoption. The bulk of the Shelter's funding is now derived from individual donations. CHAS receives no assistance from local, state, federal or any type of government entity. It operates by the grace of God and the generosity of kind, compassionate people, who simply care.
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To date, Callaway County has no public facility. For over 30 years the private, non profit, no kill, Callaway Hills Animal Shelter has remained in continuous operation.
