Online Challenge Helps Raise Money For New Pocatello Animal Shelter

Pocatello’s animal shelter is desperate to move out of a building that is falling apart, and a Facebook campaign is helping raise money to start construction on a new space.

Phil Meador Toyota has set up an online challenge that lets the public decide how big of a check they’ll write to the shelter, and so far, it’s turning out to be a lot more than expected.

“Our shelter is really old. It is well over 40 years I think, now at this point. I mean, it is falling down around us, and we need a new animal shelter,? Pocatello Animal Services Director Mary Remer said.

That’s especially evident now, when it’s at its most crowded.

“This is a really busy time for us. Right now is the time when we see a hundred animals at the shelter or more. Probably 130 on a daily basis that we’re taking care of,? Remer said.

The folks at Phil Meador Toyota have a tradition of helping the shelter and said they wanted to do something special to help the shelter get a new space.

“It is a very big deal to get a new shelter to help. There is a lot of animals that need to help that really they can’t help,? Phil Meador Internet Manager Joe Leegaard said.

To get more people involved., Phil Meador Toyota has set up a campaign on its Facebook page.

For everybody who likes the page and posts “Pocatello Animal Shelter” on the wall, the car dealership will donate $5.

The dealership has gotten a lot more responses than it planned on.

“So far, this has been above and beyond what we even expected. We felt we might hit maybe close to $5,000. So far, I think we’re about $9,000, and we’re still going to keep going,? Leedgaard said.

People at the animal shelter said they are grateful for the help, and excited to see how many people care.

“It encourages us to keep going. We know the support is out there, and it’s just really encouraging to see how many people are posting,? Remer said.

The Phil Meador Facebook Challenge started Aug. 3 and will run through Aug. 7.

Click here to go the the Phil Meador facebook page.