We have some great news on the quest to create a No Kill State of Missouri:  The MO Dept of Corrections is expanding its rescue dog program for inmates!  

Progressive correctional facilities in the USA have worked with groups like CHAMPS or local Humane Society groups using selected inmates to train service dogs, bomb sniffing dogs, or in the case of the Vandailia MO facility, just to make shelter dogs more adoptable. The head of this effort in Vandalia, MO;  Mike Kemna, from Jefferson City, is coming to Kansas City to speak with us about EIGHT new facilities in the area that will be modeled after the very successful Vandalia program that will begin this spring.

The way the progarm works is that the dogs are kept for 12 weeks in the cell with their handler, who is required to work with and train the dog -- as well as keep a full diary its training and behavior. Because the facillites cannot bear any of the costs from their general facility budget, they depend on the sponsoring shelters and volunteers to pay for the dogs' needs.

Mr. Kemna will be here to speak on this program February 11th, Thursday 6pm at the Waldo Library. We hope that area shelter workers and rescues will come hear him explain the program and see how we in KC can help make it a success, both for the rehabilitation of the inmates and the rehabilitation and placement of dogs in their forever homes. 

This is a win, win, for all parties involved as these programs help prisoners in their rehabilitation before going back to the real world, and they help the dogs who need some help before they are ready to go to their forever homes.  

Please spread the word!