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By Jason Scott, October 6, 2007

Last updated: Saturday, October 6, 2007 1:43 AM EDT

Laurie Lyon and Kevin McCartin wanted to do something to help dog rescues in central Pennsylvania.

More importantly, they wanted to help senior dogs who, because of advanced age, disability or medical difficulties, are not easily integrated into the adoption process at animal shelters and rescues.

They thought of whelping mothers that need peaceful environments to give birth, and the dogs that military personnel are forced to give up when they are deployed overseas, sometimes never seeing those animals again.

The two, both former Humane Society volunteers who helped in the animal rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina, went on the hunt for months — from Cumberland to Adams County, northern York to Dauphin — before eventually purchasing a five-acre area near Shermans Dale in Perry County that could be used to provide a comfortable environment to address the special needs of senior canines.

“We realized that there probably about 50 to 100 rescues within close proximity to here,” said Lyon, of Mechanicsburg, about the discussions they had before venturing out. “This is a way to help existing rescues and not create another one.”

Lyon said this facility — known as Paw Prints Dog Sanctuary — is a second tier rescue that only collaborates with rescues who sponsor the animals, and will not accept pets from the public.

They have already partnered with Canine Rescue of Central PA in Dillsburg, Homeward Bound Animal Rescue in Camp Hill and Dogs’ Den in Harrisburg.

The operation, which just opened this week, is expected to accommodate up to 30 dogs at a time with on-site volunteers available 24 hours a day. It will provide comfortable living spaces for the dogs, and cozy visitation areas for people to relax as they spend time with the animals.

“There is a segment of the population willing to take on older dogs,” Lyon said, adding that the dogs will remain adoptable at the sanctuary. “Older dogs are good company. They just want to hang out with someone. My vision is that this is going to become known as the place for senior dogs.”

Currently, a two-car garage on the property has been retrofitted to care for up to six initial dogs. The volunteers have insulated and sealed the building, put in electric and heat as well as added other accommodations so the dogs will be comfortable there.

According to Lyon, the canines will stay in there overnight in crates. During the day, she said, they will be able to relax with volunteers or go out into the fenced area constructed nearby.

She said that within the next month, they plan on tearing down a neighboring structure to construct a permanent building capable of housing about 12 to 15 dogs. The new space, which is the first phase of the sanctuary’s overall plan, will eventually become the Canine Corps facility, or temporary home to the dogs of deployed military personnel until their owners return home from their tour of duty.

This holds a special place in McCartin’s heart, having served in the military, and having a son who just came back from a tour in Iraq.

“I don’t get retirement villages or golf. There is no personal reward,” said the Camp Hill resident. “There is personal reward in this. I made this deal with God that I would do something good if he took care of (my son) and he took care of him.

“I don’t know if God bought into the deal, but I did.”

Paw Prints Dog Sanctuary will also function as a temporary sanctuary for whelping mothers that require a safe, quiet and peaceful environment to birth their pups. Afterwards, mother and pups will return to their rescue.

Second phase plans include construction of another building adjacent to the first, which will be capable of caring for 20 to 24 dogs — broken down into four pods with overnight housing, a common living area and exercise area, according to Lyon.

Until the first building is constructed, which is expected by the end of the year, the garage will serve as the primary housing unit for the dogs.

Lyon said a third phase is also being looked at, which would include plans for a small cottage to be constructed at the back corner of the property. The building would provide families of deployed military a place to come and relax for the weekend, and spend some time with the animals. “It’s a nice tranquil place for humans and dogs alike,” she said.

The Lyon and McCartin families financially support the total of the underlying physical plant of the sanctuary — mortgage, taxes and insurance. However, donations are still needed to fund the ongoing costs of the sanctuary to support the lives and welfare of the dogs.

The non-profit will accept volunteers, donations of needed items, services and monies.

Donations can be sent to Paw Prints Dog Sanctuary, P.O. Box 161, Shermans Dale, PA 17090.

For more information, visit the sanctuary’s Web site at www.pawprintssanctuary.org.

First customer arrives

Miss Haley, a 7-year-old handicapped beagle, came to Paw Prints Dog Sanctuary on Wednesday from a nursing home in the Scranton area, where she spent the last three years of her life.

Because of state health regulations, the facility was forced to give her up, according to Laurie Lyon, co-director of the Perry County non-profit organization that took her in as its first resident. Though she has feeling in her back end, Haley cannot walk on her own, Lyon said. She has been confined to a custom-fit wheelchair for most of her life, and must wear a diaper indoors because she has no control over her bodily functions.

The cause of Haley’s injuries is unknown, Lyon said.

She is sponsored by the Canine Rescue of Central PA in Dillsburg, and will live out her remaining days at the sanctuary unless she is adopted.