T-shirt sale ongoing, ‘Dawg Dayz of Summer’ event planned
Logan County Dog Warden Deputy Jake Boyd and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office is urging the community and area businesses to come together this summer to support fundraising efforts for kennels and other required supplies to outfit the Logan County Animal Shelter, which is currently under construction on the LCSO grounds, 284 S. County Road 32, Bellefontaine.
While the 8,400-square foot building is slated to be completed by late November, approximately $200,000 also needs to be raised during the upcoming months in order for the shelter to be operational. This funding would provide for the purchase of the shelter’s 23 dog kennels and other essential materials and furnishings, including for the cat area, grooming, night drop, quarantine room and vet room.
Deputy Boyd recently has been busy meeting with local business owners and other community groups, letting them know about special sponsorship opportunities and ways they can leave their impact on the safe space for lost and abandoned dogs and cats.
All donations given to the shelter are tax-deductible through the Logan County Sheriff’s Office Behind the Badge Volunteers, Inc., a 501c3 charitable organization.
“When folks are donating to the shelter, they are giving money to the charitable organization — not to the county,” Deputy Boyd said, clarifying about some misconceptions regarding the donation process.
“It takes about 14 weeks lead time for the company to build the dog kennels, so we are eager to pull the fundraising together. We’re very appreciative of all donations, large and small. It is a huge help to us.”
Dog kennel and cat condo specific sponsorships are available for $4,000 and $2,500, respectively. Sponsors’ names will be listed on plaques that will be permanently displayed on the kennel or cat condo in recognition of their support.
In addition, a Wall of Fame for supporters is planned for an exterior wall of the animal shelter, Deputy Boyd said. Donors will be recognized for giving various amounts, ranging from $500-$10,000.
• To help support the cause, a T-shirt fundraiser is ongoing, with youth or adult T-shirts for $25 each. Orders are due Saturday, June 14.
T-shirt orders can be placed by visiting “Dog Warden of Logan County” on Facebook and clicking on the ordering link offered by Hi-Point Graphics LLC.
Hi-Point Graphics LLC will donate profits from the T-shirt sales toward the new kennels. The logo work was donated by Elle A. Design.
• Next month, pet lovers from all over are encouraged to attend an upcoming animal shelter fundraiser with their furry friends — “Dawg Dayz of Summer,” slated for July 19 at the Indian Lake Brewing Company, 184 W. Main St., Russells Point.
The fundraiser runs from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will feature a dog parade, a dog show, costume contest, raffle baskets, vendors, Schmidt’s food truck, prizes, adoptables and more.
Stay tuned for future fundraisers coming up this summer to help outfit the new animal shelter.
Once the new shelter is up and running, Sheriff Randy Dodds and Deputy Boyd will operate the facility, with the new building located just south of the sheriff’s office and jail complex.
Sheriff Dodds said this project likely couldn’t have come to fruition under any other dog warden.
“Jake has really taken this on and he wants to see the shelter succeed,” the sheriff said. “He really cares about the dogs that he picks up and has a real passion for this job. It’s hard to find individuals who are as hard-working as him.”
The dog warden provides lost dog updates via the “Dog Warden of Logan County” Facebook page.
Under Deputy Boyd’s tenure during 2024, 227 dogs were moved through four temporary housing kennels at the sheriff’s office. A total of 41 dogs were transferred to Shelby County last year, and several other dogs were transferred to Barely Used Pets, Champaign County Animal Welfare League and the Tender Loving Dog Prison Program.
In recent years, Logan County has contracted with Shelby County to house our lost or abandoned dogs, through a contract costing Logan County about $65,000 per year. Prior to that arrangement, Logan County also contracted for dog services with Union and Auglaize counties.
With the new shelter, the county can eliminate this annual cost and at the same time, have the chance to reunite owners with their lost pets and to help other families find a new beloved pet.
“The Logan County Animal Shelter is money well spent, instead of paying out-of-the-county entities to house our dogs,” Sheriff Dodds said. “It’s an investment that will pay off in the long run. And those animals in need will stay right here in Logan County.”
Since the April groundbreaking, LeVan’s Excavating prepped the grounds for the project, and B Hoylman Construction LLC is charged with constructing the new facility, based on the plans developed by Beasley Architecture and much input provided by Deputy Boyd.
Inside the shelter, the 23 individual dog kennels include an outside dog run area for fresh air and exercise. The designated cat area includes 10 cat condos, which will be quiet and separate from the dog kennels.
Several livestock stalls are planned as well to accommodate animals that are involved in legal cases or temporary housing for found livestock until they’re reunited with their owners.
The dog warden noted that the kennels, cat condos and night drop area are made from stainless steel and are easy to clean. Their design keeps the animals safe by preventing the spread of fluids and illnesses.
A visiting space will be available as well for potential adopters to get to know the animals they are considering adopting. Grooming, quarantine, veterinary and recovery rooms are incorporated into the design as well.
The sheriff anticipates that a full-time staff person will need to be hired to run the daily facility operation and handle adoptions of animals to the public.
Then during non-public honors, additional support for animal care, building maintenance, cleaning and operations will be provided by inmate trustees from the Logan County Jail next door.
Deputy Boyd invites any interested organizations or business to contact him regarding sponsorship opportunities, and he can provide a presentation for their group. He can be reached by calling the sheriff’s office non-emergency line, (937) 592-5731.
Cash donations may be dropped off at the Logan County Sheriff’s Office during regular business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Checks made out to “Behind the Badge” with the memo line “animal shelter,” may be mailed to the office at 284 S. County Road 32, Bellefontaine, OH 43311. A QR code is available for credit card donations as well.
