July 18, 2025
Local NewsState & National

‘Walk for a dog’

By REGINA SMITH
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Mycale Downey poses with Snoopy, an approximately 2-year-old American Pitbull Terrier waiting to be adopted from the Creston City Pound since January. Downey said he is smart and persistent (see chainlink fence below), knows "sit" and "shake," is working on "down" and "stay," and has been seen to be gentle with children. He does not get along well with cats and would need to be introduced to other dogs in the family slowly as he gets excited when he sees new dogs. Snoopy is able to climb chainlink fences, so any prospective owners would need to be committed to keeping him safely contained. (CNA photo)

Animal lovers can help support Creston Animal Rescue Effort just by walking.

CARE has a new fundraising effort, "Walk for a Dog." Participants can download an app from www.wooftrax.com or most app stores, register a dog, and select Creston City Pound to start raising money.

Wooftrax collects money from sponsors and divides it among the registered nonprofit and city shelter and rescue organizations based on the number of active walkers each organization currently has. To be counted as active, a walker must use the app at least once a week.

Creston City Pound has six active walkers and 279 total walkers who have walked for more than 600 miles so far.

Participants can register their dogs by entering the dog’s name, breed and age into the app. A picture of the dog can be added as well.

The options for those without a dog are: choose Cassie — the Walk for a Dog chief walking companion, create a virtual dog — such as their favorite breed or in honor of a dog from their childhood, or go walk a shelter dog. The Creston City Pound is open on Saturday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. or Sunday by appointment for those who would like to volunteer.

CARE

The City of Creston owns and operates the Creston City Pound at 710 S. Lake Shore Dr. CARE volunteers, headed by Mycale Downey, take care of the animals on weekends and holidays, oversee veterinary care, facilitate adoptions, and raise money to pay vet bills, improve the facility and pay other expenses.

Adoptions

Downey said the fee for adoption is $20, but vet bills average around $300 per animal. She said CARE likes to keep the adoption fee low because it has found that a higher fee does not result in a better home for the animals.

All animals adopted from the Creston City Pound have been checked for heart worm, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and evaluated to see what environment they are best suited for — whether they are good with other dogs, cats and/or children.

Downey said potential adopters should put in an application in advance. Often dogs who come into the pound are never formally put up for adoption because someone has already placed a request for a dog of that type.

She said adopters can specify the specific breed, size or age on their applications. When a dog matching that description comes up for adoption, Downey will contact those with completed applications first.

As of the end of June, the pound had four dogs and eight cats waiting to be adopted.

Downey said there is no set amount of time that animals are kept at the city pound. As long as they adjust well to the setting, they can stay until being adopted or sent to one of the rescues she has relationships with.

The City Pound is not a “no-kill” shelter, but Downey said she does her best to ensure that putting an animal down is not necessary.

“We haven’t euthanized an animal for space in 15 years,” she said.

Needs

CARE and the city pound are in need of donations and volunteers. Monetary donations can be made through the “Walk for a Dog” app or mailed to 304 W. Devoe St., Creston, Iowa, 50801.

Donations of dry cat and dog food or cat litter can be dropped off on Saturday between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. or by appointment. Downey said donations of any brand are accepted, but Purina Indoor cat food and Tidy Cat Scoopable Litter are preferred.

Volunteer dog walkers and cage cleaners are always welcomed at the pound, Downey said. Leave a message at (641) 782-2330 or email Downey at mdowney@iowatelecom.net to arrange a time for volunteering.