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 The Celebration grounds has been designated as an Animal Emergency Evacuation Site under a new agreement with Bedford County. Those involved in working out the agreement toured the facility recently. They include, from left, Michael Gregory of Bedford County Animal Control; Scott Johnson of Bedford County Emergency Management Agency; Bedford County Mayor Eugene Ray; Celebration Interim CEO Virgil Johnson; John Teague of the University of Tennessee Extension Service; and Diane Forbes of the Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association. (TWHNC photo) [Click to enlarge] |
The request for the agreement originated with the Law Enforcement Committee of the Bedford County Commission and included input from Bedford County Animal Control, Bedford County Emergency Management Agency, Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association, the University of Tennessee Extension Service, and The Celebration.
Under the agreement, large animals involved in emergency situations of neglect or abuse could be stabled on the grounds under the supervision of Bedford County Animal Control.
"This is something we're grateful to have at our disposal, but hope we never have to use," said Michael Gregory, Director of Bedford County Animal Control. "The Celebration Grounds provides a safe environment for large animals in need of emergency protection."
In 2005, The Celebration made its barns available, through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, for horses evacuated from the hurricane-ravaged gulf coast. Several animals were housed on the grounds until they were able to return home safely.
"The Celebration has been a leader in protecting the health and safety of horses at our show and this is an extension of how important we feel this is," said Celebration Interim CEO Virgil Johnson. "Making our barns available for this effort is simply another way we can better serve our hometown."
Thank you for the article about the TWHNC grounds being offered for emergency animal use.
I'm sure people are in need of assistance as well, but people can read, write and catch rides out of dangerous areas.
Domestic animals are (unfortunately) entirely at the mercy of mankind to help them in times of extreme emergency and abuse by mankind. They cannot talk, complain or even get enough to eat without assistance. They depend on us for their every need.
Again.....hats go off the the Shelbyville Times-Gazette and the TWHNC for running the article and for offering the showgrounds.
I really respect anyone making an effort to save the animals, but we have a disaster in shelbyville a whole lot worse, human beings being forced out of their homes due to fraudulant others, has any of our city leaders bothered to go to the door of these folks to see what can be done to help, has anyone called f.e.m.a., surely there are trailers not being used from the disaster in louisana. This is not only shelbyville, its all over in many states hard working folks being thrown out of their homes by vinditious acts of fraud. Has any of our leaders tried to put a stop to these activities by stopping these folks from building and doing business in our community, has any leader bothered to even get the addresses of all foreclosures and attempted to meet with these individuals, some who have health issues, childres, and others are veterans or still active veterans. Do they have to get in the front yard and put a chain around their necks before anyone takes action.