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EARLY – The Early High School Community Problem Solvers’ project for the 2022-23 school year is to assist the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center, and are doing so through their Save Our Shelter (SOS) campaign.

The objective of the team – comprised of Andie Tidwell, Calvin Clubb, Tristin Rasor, Michael Morales, Gavin Sanders and Asher Callaway – is to improve the quality of life for rescue animals at the center through the expansion and repair of their resources so that the animals are provided with a more suitable environment.

“We want to make the shelter more appealing and flip the mindset,” Clubb said. “A bunch of people have negative connotations and we’re trying to help people understand what the shelter does is a good thing and very vital to the community. You can tell they’re sincere and just trying to do the best they can.”

Rasor said, “Without an animal shelter we would have things like rabies outbreaks, parvo disease everywhere, and carcasses on the street.”

Tidwell added, “Everybody says it’s a problem but not a lot of people are wanting to reach out. We want to get people out there to see how much its changed. Just from the time we visited in October to when we visited this past weekend, it’s a lot cleaner and a lot more organized. They’re really turning over a new leaf.”

The Problem Solvers are attempting to raise between $2,000 and $5,000 to upgrade the kennel and bed supply at the shelter.

“They have some kennels out there but they need more,” Tidwell said. “They have a lot of crates, but these are going to be better and hold up for years.”

Diann Biddle, who along with Jamee Atkinson serve as coaches for the team, stated the Problem Solvers have pinpointed 6x4x8 kennels for $289 and 6x5x10 kennels $449 they hope to purchase.

“There’s no federal funding for the shelter, it’s left to the county, and they receive $150,000 but that pays for things to keep the building open,” Biddle said. “(CTSAC Director) Deven Hoevers has bought one (kennel), installed it, said they were extremely sturdy and it would be a good route to go. Otherwise if we got all the materials to build them it would cost over $7,000. This way you get the kennel that’s complete with a top and all the sides.”

The shelter’s average expenses are $35,000 a month, which comes out to $420,000 per year.

The Problem Solvers have organized a clean-up day at the CTSAC for Sunday, March 19 – but the event has a deeper purpose.

“It’s not just about cleaning up,” Rasor said. “Yes they could use help with maintenance and construction, but we want to get people out there to walk the dogs, to play with the dogs, to spend time with them. And we want to generate as much attention as we can so the shelter isn’t forgotten.”

Along with the Problem Solvers, the EHS Key Club, Student Council, National Honor Society will be on hand for the event, which will begin in the afternoon.

As well as monetary donations, the Problem Solvers would also like to find a way for local businesses to partner with the shelter going forward to donate goods and services.

“Canidae is donating dog food and those are the things that need to happen,” Biddle said.

Other requests include blankets, towels, cat litter, laundry shop, cat food and volunteers.

The Early High School Community Problem Solvers, in their fifth year, have advanced to state three times previously with their projects.

For more information, email the Problem Solvers at [email protected]. Donations can be made digitally through the Early High School website, https://www.earlyisd.net/vnews/display.v/SEC/High%20School, where a QR code can be found, as well as through Instagram at early_cmps. Those interested can also contact Early High School at 325-643-4593 and leave a message for either of the coaches or the team.