(Lander, WY) – Without a city animal shelter or impound, the Lander Pet Connection (LPC) has been hustling to help stray and lost pets found in downtown Lander. The city’s contract to impound strays with the Wind River Veterinarian office ended in May. Since then, there has been no designated place for police to house lost pets or animals seized in animal cruelty cases.
“We are doing everything we can to help the situation,” said Marta Casey, Executive Director of the Lander Pet Connection. “We are excited to engage with the city and do what we can right now to help the police. To sustain our efforts, we are seeking business partners and sponsors.”
Last week, Lander police called the Pet Connection to help when officers found a puppy in an abandoned car during the night shift. The puppy stayed in the police station overnight and then the Pet Connection picked him up in the morning. Pet Connection animal care staff gave the puppy a bath and initial vaccines, and then he was put in a foster home where he’s been thriving.
“It is imperative that we have a shelter for the health and welfare of lost and found pets,” said Officer Shawn McRae, the new code enforcement and animal control officer in Lander. “Supporting the Pet Connection means helping provide a safe place for our pets in their moment of need.”
To sustain its efforts, the Pet Connection has set up four tiers of sponsorship with different benefits ranging from social media shoutouts to having a logo on the new rescue truck that was donated to the shelter. Businesses interested in supporting this end-of-year fundraising effort can email [email protected] or call 307-349-1261.
“In the past three months, we have taken in over 70 dogs that were found loose or as strays in Lander. We function as a rescue and have shifted to help with the demands from the city. This now accounts for more than half our intake,” said Casey. “We are excited to help the city and continue our rescue work in greater Fremont County and on the Wind River Reservation. Any level of support will help us continue this work.”
About the Lander Pet Connection:
Established by Sydney Miller in 1996, the Lander Pet Connection serves Lander, Fremont County, and the Wind River Reservation, reuniting lost pets with owners, rescuing wounded and abandoned animals, and finding innovative ways to support pets and people. As an independent nonprofit, LPC relies on the incredible support of the community to continue its mission. To learn more about the Lander Pet Connection, visit landerpets.org and follow LPC on Facebook and on Instagram.