Ron Ducharme with Rescue Magazine starts new role with Bell County Animal Shelter

By Michelle Rodriguez

The Belton Journal

Ron Ducharme began a new role recently as a non-compensated consultant for Bell County Animal Shelter, located at 2509 S. Loop 121.

“I am helping to build awareness of the shelter and get animals adopted. I will make sure the public has a good experience. I will work on building community awareness by having a pet of the week with businesses and getting the community involved with the pet adoption process,” said Ducharme.

Ducharme is the President of Rescue Magazine, a local animal welfare organization. They support local shelters and rescues with food drives and adoption events. They also host KTEM’s News Radio 14 animal hour every Sunday from 11 a.m. to noon, a radio show where animals have a voice. They will be hosting their tenth annual Pet Extravaganza on October 11-12 at the Cadence Bank Center located at 301 W. Loop 121.

“The Bell County Animal Shelter will be there to focus on adopting animals. There will also be fun-filled attractions, trick-or-treating with lots of candy, big pony rides, lots of vendors, micro-chipping, trainers, pet care, home improvement, and Pirate Captain Dan Sparrow from the U.K.,” said Ducharme.

Deputy Sheriff Sergeant Alexandria Harris has been with the department for a long time. She’s been with animal control since 2018.

“I handle everything by making sure laws are followed and makes sure the employees are following operating procedures,” said Harris

If anyone is looking to adopt a dog or cat, they can go to the Bell County Animal Shelter or the Pet Extravaganza. The cost to adopt from the animal shelter varies. A non-altered dog is $50, and the cost to adopt an altered dog that has been spayed or neutered cost $60. The cost to adopt a non-altered cat is $20, and the cost to adopt an altered cat cost $60.

“People interested in adopting an animal don’t have to reside in Bell County. To adopt an animal from the Bell County Animal Shelter, fill out a contract agreement that if the animal is not altered, spayed or neutered, they agree to have them spayed or neutered within thirty days and they have 72 hours to have the animal vaccinated with the rabies vaccine. Proof must be emailed,” said Harris.

The Bell County Animal Shelter has a few volunteers that coordinate adoptions, clean kennels, walk dogs, and are the smiling faces of the shelter. The Bell County Animal Shelter has 6 animal control officers that respond to the public’s request for service. They also provide care and custody for the animals in the shelter and perform adoptions.

Rescue Magazine coordinates with the shelter to encourage pet owners to spay and neuter their animals and meet the staff. The animal shelter’s hours are Wednesday through Sunday 10:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays and state and federal holidays.

The animal of the week is Manchie. He is two and a half years old. He’s a pit bull mix that is neutered and microchipped. Another animal that is available for adoption is Cade. He is three years old. He’s an Akbash mix that is neutered and microchipped. Tano is also available for adoption. He’s one and a half years old. He’s a lab/pit mix that is unaltered.

BELTON JOURNAL/Michelle Rodriguez

Ron Ducharme, president of Rescue Magazine and consultant for Bell County Animal Shelter, stands in front of animal food and supplies that he helped gather and donate to the animal shelter.