The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Nearly 2,000 animals have been placed in “forever homes”

WAITSBURG – A newcomer stepping into Waitsburg Hardware and Mercantile for the first time is apt to be a bit taken aback. They’ll find themselves in an old-fashioned general store, filled to the brim with all man­ner of goods, replete with a group of locals gabbing amiably around a table filled with coffee and treats. They’ll probably be greeted at the door by a dog or two and will surely notice the large cat lying in his bed on the counter.

It’s quite possible a few of the coffee drinkers will be cuddling one of the kittens from the many kennels at the back of the store. It may be a little “dif­ferent,” but the store – home to Black Dog Rescue -- is a commu­nity gem and source of pride to the locals.

John and Marilyn Stellwagon purchased the store in 2004 – immediately connect­ing with locals and transforming it into a favorite gathering spot. About six months later they began the pet rescue.

“It was an accident,” said Marilyn who had previously worked in a rescue in Spokane. “We had about 20 cats in the alley and I asked what we should do with them. I was told we could take them out to a barn or the pound. I decided right then that we were going to be kinder and gentler about it.”

That first year, the rescue placed approxi­mately 100 pets. Last year they placed over 200 in what she said was their busiest year ever. Like doting parents, the Stellwagons proudly keep a book describing each of the pets they’ve placed. Marilyn said there are over 1,700 pages in the book. That’s nearly 2,000 animals that have been nursed to health and placed in loving homes – many that would have died, otherwise.

When The Times visited, the rescue was home to 11 cats and two dogs, though Mari­lyn said five of the cats were scheduled to go to adoptive homes next week. Maximum capacity is 16 animals. Black Dog Rescue doesn’t just “re-home” animals; they go the extra mile (or two). Every animal that ar­rives at the rescue stays until it earns a clean bill of health, has all its shots, is spayed or neutered and is properly so­cialized (hence the kitty-cuddlers).

“We get a lot of very sick animals; often ones that peo­ple have dumped,” said Stellwagon. She pointed to a sweet little kitten that “wouldn’t have made it through the night if someone hadn’t brought him in” and told tale after tale of animals that arrived near death. Stellwagon said that Charles “Bill” Acock of Mill Creek Veterinary Hos­pital and Patrick Kennedy of Kennedy Veterinary Servic­es in Milton-Freewater have been lifesavers. “Without their help, we couldn’t do what we do,” she said.

Both vets provide dis­counted services, occasion­ally lodging sick animals for no charge. “Because I’m in so often, they’ve shown me how to do a lot of the care myself,” she said. “The Waitsburg Fire Department and Ambulance Service are a great help as well. They give us outdated fluids that we can use for re-hydrating and let us use an oxygen mask when we need it.”

Stellwagon went on to list name after name of individuals that work with the rescue, making it a true community effort. Helpers volunteer to hold and so­cialize the animals, do the laundry, clean the cages, ad­vertise for homes and more. She has been especially impressed with the school kids that come and help out. “They’re proud that we have the rescue in the commu­nity and they’re learning the importance of spaying and neutering.”

Stellwagon says the res­cue operates on a “wing and a prayer,” but again, com­munity support has made it successful. A change jar sits sits on the counter for dona­tions and Stellwagon again noted the strong support of the high school students.

“The National Honor So­ciety, LEOs Club and FFA all do fundraisers for us,” she said. “That keeps us go­ing.” The late Ed Lawrence made a large donation that allowed the rescue to buy many of their kennels and people will sometimes leave donations as memorials.

Before they are ready for adoption, the animals are treated for fleas and worms, receive RCP, leukemia and rabies vaccinations and are spayed and neutered. The discounted cost is generally $70 per male and $100 per female. Many of the animals require additional medical care as well.

The rescue charges a $50 adoption fee, which helps offset some of the expense. “It makes it attractive for people to adopt because they can know they have a healthy pet for less than it would cost them to take it to the vet themselves.”

Stellwagon said the adoption process is fairly stringent. She talks with interested parties, asking them a series of questions and introducing them to the animal. She then tells them to, “think about it, because adopting a cat is a 15 year commitment. If they come back I know they’re serious.” She doesn’t allow impulse adoptions. New owners sign an agreement stating that they will return the animal if it doesn’t work out.

Stellwagon says they have pets all over the coun­try and that many of the owners keep them updated and send pictures of the ani­mals. “We have a cat living on a houseboat in Seattle and even one living in Italy,” she said.

Marilyn Stellwagon with a client.

Like a proud parent, Stellwagon loves hearing and telling stories of her rescues. One of her favor­ites is of a local man who adopted a kitten. He headed off for Elk Camp with a group of local guys and the kitten somehow hid in the equipment. At camp, one of the men discovered the stowaway and yelled, “Cat, cat, cat!” “The men came running because they thought it was a Cougar! Then they had to keep the kitty at camp all week,” she said, laughing.

A Facebook page for “Black Dog Rescue Waits­burg” lists some of the pets available for adoption. Waitsburg FFA is hosting a dog and cat food fundraiser at Saturday’s basketball game against Asotin (see sidebar) and donations of food or money can be made directly at the store as well.