March 29, 2024

A different leash on life

Janel McLain of Dog Gone Rescue honored as volunteer of the year

Janel McLain of Dog Gone Rescue is being honored as the Creston Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year.

“This past year and a-half has been a real test for me. So when I found this out ... I just burst into tears,” said McLain. “It just filled my heart.”

For more than 20 years, McLain has devoted her free time to helping dogs and cats, and their owners, within Creston and surrounding areas. It’s a calling that she said brings her the most joy.

It was shortly after her move to Creston in 1989, when McLain found herself feeling detached from her community. In an effort to meet more people, she decided to volunteer. Eventually, she discovered an opportunity at Creston’s city pound with Creston Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.).

At C.A.R.E., McLain assisted in feeding and exercising the rescued animals, cleaning the facilities and helping with events. However, it wasn’t long before she recognized a need for improvements.

“There was not enough hot water to clean the facilities. The water heater was extremely small. The electric heat, if we had too much on, it would flip the breakers,” said McLain.

“Water was frozen in the bowls. Volunteers were frozen. My feet hurt. My hands hurt from the cold,” said McLain.

Additionally, some of the kennels were outside and lacked shelter to properly protect the animals from extreme weather.

With her friend, Mary Wagnor, McLain hosted a fundraiser, “Party for the Pound,” which generated $8,000 in donations to go toward the city pound’s expansion and upgrades. The updates to the facilities, which took five years, totalled $40,000, which the city partially funded.

The improved city pound featured a new roof for the outside kennels, a cat room and office for C.A.R.E. volunteers and city employees. Additionally, a water heater donated by former councilman Loyal Winborn and improved wiring kept the water and facilities warm.

Building a legacy

In 2010, McLain saw a dog, chained up in a yard near her work. As the rain dumped on the dog, she stared out the window wondering how to help. She dropped what she was doing, ran home and returned with tarps and stakes to build shelter.

Days later, McLain approached the owner of the dog and asked if she could build it a dog house, which the owner agreed.

In search of inexpensive supplies, McLain upcycled old, wooden pallets she found behind Innovative Industries and scrap insulation from Southwestern Community College’s building trades program.

The project inspired McLain to find other families to help. With the help of friends, family, boy scouts and SWCC students, McLain has donated 60 dog and cat houses in the past eight years.

Dog Gone Rescue

As a volunteer for C.A.R.E., McLain realized that some animals outside the city limits are not taken in by the city’s pound, as the facility’s capacity was met with animals found in town.

“I thought, that’s terrible. Maybe I should start my own rescue,” said McLain.

So, she did.

In March 2011, Dog Gone Rescue was born.

Through her state licensed, in-home dog and cat rescue, McLain has adopted out 423 animals in the past seven years to families in Iowa, Texas, Montana and Nebraska.

To help others take care of their family pets, McLain also collects dog and cat food and litter on behalf of Dog Gone Rescue, and donates to the food pantry.

Financial assistance

Since its inception, McLain continues to grow her 501c3 nonprofit to better serve the community. One of these ways is through a spay and neuter fund she raises money for.

“Only requirement is that they have to have their animal up to date on shots,” she said.

From money McLain has raised with the help of volunteers, McLain has covered the cost of 32 spay/neuter surgeries at Creston Veterinary Clinic and Southern Hills Veterinary Services.

On volunteering

McLain said caring for animals, and teaching others how to do it is her passion.

“I’m not doing this for anybody else,” she said.

In area schools, McLain presents a program which promotes safety and respect between animals and humans, which builds rapport between a child and his or her pet and avoids unexpected bites or attacks.

“I feel like, I want to make a difference before I leave this world,” said McLain. “There are so many other people so deserving of this. I just want to make a difference and help people in this community.”

Fundraiser

Dog Gone Rescue is hosting its seventh annual Bowl-a-thon and Auction Nov. 17 at Pine Valley Golf & Bowl, the event, which a nine-pin bowling tournament, features door prizes, food and all participants have a chance to win a free turkey and gift card donated by Creston Hy-Vee and the winning team will be awarded a cash prize. Entry fees for this event are $25 per individual and teams comprise of four players.

For more information, contact McLain at www.facebook.com/doggonerescue or by email, janel@doggonerescue.com.

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PAST VOLUNTEER AWARD WINNERS

1995 — Darlene Loudon

1996 — Pat Pokorny

1997 — Creston FFA

1999 — Mycale Downey

2000 — Lesa Downing

2001 — Mike and June Baker

2002 — Vaughn Seckington

2003 — Dr. Richard Wilker

2004 — Bob Jungst

2005 — Marcella Howe

2006 — Butch Miller

2007 — Creston Park and Rec Board

2008 — Chris Mansour

2009 — Breta Kinkade

2010 — Mike Linch

2011 — Dick Anderson

2012 — Jim and Rhonda Giles

2013 — Becky Riley

2014 — Charlie Westman

2015 — Kay Raymond

2016 — Rich Wenzig

2017 — High Lakes Outdoor Alliance