By Paige Gurgainers

Humans and pets alike gathered at the Minden Civic Center yesterday evening, May 30, for the inaugural Collaring Ceremony for Pet Mayor, Chief of Pawlice, Fur Chief and Pet City Council.  

Administrative Assistant to the City of Minden Human Mayor, Ashlee Drake, served as the Master of Ceremonies. She was credited, along with Main Street Director, Taylor Wren, for pitching this idea and organizing the fundraising event that brought in a total of $21,695. This money will be contributed to the construction of the City’s new animal control facility and more specifically toward supplying heating and cooling for the shelter.

The animal shelter will be overseen by the City of Minden Police Department with them also having an animal control department under Deputy Chief Tokia Whiting-Harrison.  

“I thought it would be a great idea,” said Human Chief of Police Jared McIver. “During the meantime, the council and the mayor have been working toward getting us a new animal shelter built in Minden. If you have been to the one that’s in place now, a new one is going to be a huge improvement. We are very excited.”  

Human Mayor Nick Cox presented the offices for the pet election. The winners were as follows:  

Pet Mayor – Maverick (William Zackry Dick) 
Chief of Pawlice – Kimber (Benji Dumas) 
Fur Chief – BB (Ashley and Justin McVey) 
Pet Council – Jax (Sara McDaniel) 
                      Archie Bullseye Collins (Lindsey Collins) 
                      Raglee’ (John Collins) 
                      Bubble Ann “Bubbles” (Regenia Pennington) 
                      Tinkerbell “Tink” (Julie Benton) 

The newly-elected Pet Mayor Maverick raised a total of $2,250 alone.  

According to Cox the new shelter will double the capacity, have a large room dedicated to cats, a wash bay for larger dogs, sinks for washing smaller breeds, offices and a room to meet adoptable animals with a fenced in area, as well.  

“The City of Minden has allocated the funds to do this,” said Cox in closing. “We are dedicated to building a new animal shelter. We want everything that we do in the City of Minden to be top-notch and this animal shelter, thanks to your help, is going to be top-notch.” 

The city is expecting to break ground on the new shelter in July of this year.