Frank Lewis

PDT Staff Writer

Just prior to the step-off of the Portsmouth Christmas Parade, area residents will be able to show their appreciation for Sierra’s Haven Animal Shelter, thanks to Community Development Director Tracy Shearer and the City of Portsmouth.

On Nov. 15 at 4 p.m., the Office of Community Development will host a Christmas benefit on behalf of Sierra’s Haven - “for their outstanding service to the community,” on the Roy Rogers Esplanade in downtown Portsmouth.

“We’re featuring Ravinah for adoption,” Sierra’s Haven owner, Dr. Gail Counts said. “Ravinah is a pit bull mix, that someone threw out of a car close to Shawnee Animal Clinic, thinking probably it would run up to Sierra’s Haven, and it got hit by a car and fell down into that big ravine behind the clinic.”

Counts said Ravinah has had her surgery and is ready to be adopted out.

“I actually thought the surgeon at Ohio State who did the surgery was going to adopt her, but it ended up not working out,” Counts said. “She’s up for adoption and I think they’re going to feature her.”

Counts said Sierra’s Haven has been busy shipping dogs to places where they can be adopted.

“We just sent 46 puppies this last week to Rescue Wagon,” Counts said. “That was in one week. We have sent over 1,000 puppies to them. Actually we’re going on almost 2,000. They are going out of the area at least and they are getting fixed.”

Counts said she has personally spayed or neutered more than 7,000 puppies, mostly for low income residents.

Shearer said donations are encouraged and greatly appreciated at the Nov. 14 event on the Esplanade.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com