Weber County hired a new director for Weber County Animal Services (WCAS) in June, with an emphasis on enhancing community involvement and enriching animal care.

“I fell in love with animals while volunteering as a child with my father at our local shelter,” Siri Main, Weber County Animal Services director, said. “When I grew up, I knew I wanted to go into the industry as a nonprofit animal shelter developer, working with national partners to gain a no-kill status. My family recently moved to Utah because my husband serves in the military. I’m excited for this new opportunity to explore the community and serve the animals and residents.”

Since Main became the director, she has focused on brainstorming ways to be more community involved, creating a more robust enrichment program and improving policies and procedures.

To become more involved in the community, WCAS has partnered with local businesses to hold family-friendly adoption events. The next event, “Dog Days of Summer,” in partnership with the Friends of the Weber County Animal Services, will be held on July 19 from 12 p.m.–4 p.m. at 1373 N. 750 W., Ogden. The event will have adoptions, yard games, hotdogs, pup cups and a silent auction. The funds raised will go toward a new animal enrichment program.

“Doggie Daycation” is also a new program where residents can check out an adoptable dog for a day. Residents can come to the animal shelter during businesses hours, fill out a one-time application, choose an adoptable dog and take them on an adventure (e.g., to the park or on a hike). The program not only helps staff learn more about the dogs outside of a shelter setting but provides the dogs with much needed enrichment.

To create a more robust enrichment program, WCAS aims to expand its “Doggie Daycation” to cats and provide more mentally stimulating activities to the animals, such as snuffle mats and scented toys.

“Essentially, the goal is to provide and promote the animals’ psychological and physiological well-being while they are at the shelter by encouraging natural behaviors and improving their quality of life,” Main said.

To improve policies and procedures, WCAS has implemented a new, more efficient and straightforward volunteer application process. Individuals interested in volunteering must come to the animal shelter to fill out a paper application. Every Monday, the past week’s applications are reviewed by the development team that will, shortly after, contact each applicant individually.

Volunteers play an integral role in helping ensure operations at WCAS are running smoothly. They help with a variety of tasks in caring for the animals at the shelter, especially cleaning (laundry, dishes, sweeping, scrubbing and organizing). Other tasks include taking animals to and from appointments.

In addition to volunteers, WCAS is always looking for fosters, adopters and donors. Residents can learn more at webercountyutah.gov/Animal_Shelter.