By RONDA GRAFF

MCFF

McCOOK - Since 1983, the McCook Humane Society has provided a temporary home for the area’s cats and dogs, serving as a no-kill shelter while animals find their forever-home. 

Over the past 40 years, the shelter located at 100 South Street has seen many improvements, while continuously serving the community. The most recent update involved removing all the old cat cages and installing new cages for the incoming felines. 

Along with simply installing more cages to house more cats, the new cages are more hygienic because the surfaces are easier to clean and the entrances/exits allow easier access to the animals. 

The cages are even divided into “rooms,” including a “bathroom” area that holds the litter box, a “living room” where the cat can just hang out and an “entry way” for the animal to be taken out when needed. 

With the new cat cages now installed, the McCook Humane Society is looking forward to additional improvements to the facility. 

According to Director Lori Prestes, a priority is completely renovating the stalls for the dogs. The current set-up of gates and cinder-block walls dates back to the original construction of the facility four decades ago. To completely gut the dog cages will require additional funds and extensive work, which the workers and volunteers know is greatly needed, especially since the McCook facility is the only humane society in Southwest Nebraska. Changes that they are looking at in the dog area would not only provide better sanitation but would also reduce the noise level in the canine area.

The new cat cages were partially funded with a grant from the McCook Community Foundation Fund this past fall, recognizing that a better environment for the felines hopefully leads to more adoptions of the cats. 

Other grant recipients during the fall 2023 were:

• Anderson Endowment: McCook YMCA for a Stem/Maker-Space Project; McCook Public Schools, 2024 Bison Days
• Sehnert Challenge: McCook Arts Council for Missoula Children’s Theater, Creative District; McCook Community Kitchen for Day of the Dead Celebration
• Myers Challenge: McCook Community College Foundation for Nurses Aid Tuition Assistance
• MCFF Endowment: High Plains Museum for Sound System

The next grant deadline for MCFF is quickly approaching with applications due by Monday, April 1. Applications along with a list of the recent recipients is available on the MCFF website, mccookfoundation.org. 

For more information, email mcffund@gmail.com or call 308.340.3412.