BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTRPESS) – The Humane Society of Raleigh County (HSRC)- located at 325 Grey Flats Road in Beckley- recently announced that they are launching a new campaign for a much-needed project- an on-site wellness center.
According to Secretary of the HSRC Board of Directors Debra Berry, Todd and Rachel Cornett of JanCare Ambulance reached out to the shelter with the desire of helping them create the center, which will double as a lasting memorial for Delaney Wykle, their son’s longtime girlfriend who died in a seven-person helicopter crash on July 4, 2019.
Wykle, who had just completed her nursing degree, also had a love for animals and was an active supporter of HSRC.
Thus, the dream of creating “The Delaney Wykle Animal Wellness Center” was born.
“Delaney was deeply integrated in our family for many years, dating back to her and Tristan’s middle school years,” wrote the Cornett family. “They attended WVU together, where they both obtained their degrees. As avid dog lovers, they became parents of the most beautiful, sweet Golden Doodle, Maya, in 2018. Just weeks before graduating and moving to Flat Top Lake as their residence, they became parents again of a handsome silver lab, Kip. Both dogs are our family; well loved and very active. Although we cannot bring Delaney back, we can make her memory forever lasting and honor the very cause that she held so close to her heart.”
Berry stated that an on-site wellness center will save the shelter a considerable amount of money and time to provide their animals and the community with improved access to veterinary care.
To accommodate for the wellness center, the shelter will convert their current space and add on a small addition. They also plan to upgrade and enclose some of the kennels.
In addition to needing funds to construct the center itself, HSRC will also need to purchase medical equipment and supplies, exam tables, surgical supplies, medicines, etc. They will also need funding to pay a veterinarian and an assistant or receptionist to work in the center.
While the shelter’s immediate goal is to provide on-site veterinary care for their animals, HSRC states that they will also utilize the center to offer wellness appointments for health checks and vaccines for pets within the community. In the future, they plan to have spay and neuter services available for both shelter and community animals.
HSRC announced that, after much discussing and planning, they have set a goal of $350,000 to complete the wellness center. To help reach this goal, the shelter is currently accepting donations.
“We believe this is ample funding to get the wellness center up and running,” HSRC wrote, adding that they are planning for the center to be self-supporting for the first year. “…we are blessed with generous supporters who, even in the face of uncertain times, have remained unwavering in their support. Thank you in advance for choosing to honor the life of Delaney Wykle by helping the animals she cared so much about have happy, healthy lives!”
Donations call be mailed to HSRC, 325 Grey Flats Road, Beckley, WV 25801, with the note “Wellness Center” on the check. Donations can also be sent via PayPal at paypal.me/hsrc/
Contact HSRC at 304-253-8921 or hsrc1979@gmail.com.
The Humane Society of Raleigh County has been serving the people of pets of Raleigh County since 1979.