Inmate crew improves facilities, adds capacity at animal shelter.

Byline: COUNTY BEAT by Randi Bjornstad The Register-Guard

A BIT OF GOOD NEWS for homeless kitties: The Lane County Animal Regulation Authority's new cattery will be done soon, making room for 30 more cages to hold adoptable cats.

But dogs will get improvements to their digs as well, thanks to crews from the sheriff's inmate work camp, who have finished the first phase of painting at the authority's kennel.

The storage sheds also have been rebuilt and painted, the parking lot striped and the landscaping spiffed up by the sheriff's crews.

Authority manager Mike Wellington said he used to have room for only 10 cats at a time, and the new cattery will boost the possible population to 40.

"That provides a significant advantage to us in fostering cat adoptions," Wellington said.

Last year, the shelter took in 2,259 felines and euthanized 2,035 of them. At the same time, it found adoptive homes for a record 224 cats among the 781 animals placed in new homes.

The reconstruction project cost $165,000 and came from keeping a tight hold on the purse strings during the past several years, as well as increased revenue from other animal-related programs, Wellington said.

The new addition, built by 2G Construction, will be 300 square feet, giving the shelter four times the space it had before.

Anyone interested in visiting the facility or finding out more about its services can stop by 3970 W. First St. in Eugene, but it would be a good idea to call 682-2370 first to check the shelter's open hours.

Mount Pisgah gets new trail

Anyone who's looking for something outdoorsy to do on what hopefully will be a nice, crisp fall Saturday in October might give some thought to volunteering to work on trails and restoring habitat at the Howard Buford Recreation Area, better known as Mount Pisgah.

Melinda Kletzok, Lane County's public information officer, says Oct. 19 will be the date for this year's REI Annual Community Service Project at Mount Pisgah. The recreational equipment and clothing company will be joined by Friends of Buford Park, Mount Pisgah Arboretum, Northwest Youth Corps, AmeriCorps, Boys & Girls Clubs of Emerald Valley, Committed Partners for Youth - and of course outdoor-loving community volunteers - to work on Trail No. 17, newly established within the park.

In addition to the work, the day's activities will include a nature activity program in the arboretum for children ages 5 through 12.

Volunteers should show up at 8:30 a.m. Trail work will start at 9 a.m. and last until 1 p.m. Lunch will be served at 1:30 p.m. for workers, and the new trail will be dedicated at 2 p.m.

Each trail volunteer also will receive a "Stewards of Planet Earth" T-shirt, bottled water and energy bars. Those who register for the work party by Oct. 10 will also receive a free REI water bottle. Children who want to attend the nature activity program need to sign up by Oct. 6.

For more information or to register, call REI, 465-1800, or county volunteer coordinator, Loralyn Osborne, 682-2000.

Hot topics for health board

With the West Nile virus threatening to make a local appearance sometime soon and the dozens of cases of E-coli infection at this year's Lane County Fair, it might be a good time to get involved with the county's Health Advisory Committee.

The 12-member committee, which makes recommendations to the county health administrator and advises county officials on matters of public health, has three vacancies. They will be filled by two people with general health interests and a third who qualifies as a nutritionist.

The group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Members serve four-year terms.

Those interested in applying have until 5 p.m. Sept. 13 to turn in an application. Information and forms can be obtained in the board of commissioners' office in the Public Service Building, 125 E. Eighth Ave., Eugene. For details, call 682-4203.

Lane County reporter Randi Bjornstad can be reached at 338-2321 or at [e-mail].