Jefferson County, Montana Needs an Animal Shelter

Jefferson County, Montana, needs an animal shelter.

Sixteen years ago, Montana State University conducted a study on what was needed in Jefferson County, and an animal shelter was high on the list. From that study, the nonprofit organization Animal Shelter and Care of Jefferson County was formed to promote "humane treatment of animals through shelter, education and spay/neuter endeavors."

Since then, the nonprofit, known as AS&C for short, has been hard at work raising funds to build a shelter. Along the way, it has also offered spay and neuter clinics, vaccination clinics, animal fostering, and pet search and rescue.

For the past eight years, Northwestern Energy has donated to the Animal Shelter and Care of Jefferson County's spay and neuter program and other efforts.

"We are very grateful that NorthWestern Energy has been so good to us," said Cheryl Haasakker, AS&C President.

Building an animal shelter is no easy feat. The organization has received some grants, including from Northwestern Energy, but it relies mainly on donations and volunteers.

"We rely a lot on in-kind services," Cheryl said.

AS&C constructed a 700-square-foot shelter building in 2023. Work is now underway to finish the interior of the building, with hopes of having it open soon. The building will have four indoor/outdoor dog kennels and four to six cat condos. It will give the organization a place to house lost or surrendered animals which are currently cared for in foster homes.

Down the road, AS&C plans to build a 5,000-square-foot shelter that can accommodate spay and neuter clinics, vaccination clinics, dog training, and more.

"We want this to be the first place people come for help instead of surrendering an animal," Cheryl said.

Once the larger shelter is built, the 700-square-foot building will be used by law enforcement if they find animals during off hours.

While the organization has been working for 16 years to build a shelter, it has also been busy providing spay and neuter clinics and low-cost vaccines. AS&C used to host one-day spay and neuter clinics, where they would see an average of 83 animals. Finding traveling veterinarians for the one-day clinic has since become difficult, so the organization now offers spay and neuter vouchers. In 2023, the organization gave out 63 vouchers. In the first three months of 2024, that number was 35.

"The number of animals we deal with now has probably doubled in the last two years," said Darlene Moyer, AS&C board member and fundraising coordinator.

Vickie Corderio, the wife of retired NorthWestern Energy Boulder Town Manager Ray Corderio, also serves on the AS&C board.

"The Helena division has been so supportive of this project over the years," Vickie said.

AS&C of Jefferson County hosts numerous fundraisers throughout the year. To learn more about the organization, attend an event, or donate, visit ascjeffco.org.