A group of concerned citizens in Lampasas is rallying around the Lampasas Animal Shelter, and they hope to be joined by many more Lampasans with a passion for animals.

A steering committee has formed, and an organizational meeting Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce conference room is the next step for Friends of the Lampasas Animal Shelter.

Mary Black Davis is one of the steering committee members and the group’s founder.

“When I heard they were building a shelter in Lampasas, I was very happy,” she said. “We were overdue for a facility. I had hoped it would be something we could really be proud of and would work effectively for all of the stray and abandoned animals.”

As far as Mrs. Davis is concerned, the Lampasas Animal Shelter, owned jointly by the city and county of Lampasas, is doing its job. With the state of the economy though, she worried that the shelter and its animals would suffer without extra support.

Thus, Friends of the Lampasas Animal Shelter was born. Mrs. Davis asked several of her animalloving friends to help, and a small group has gotten the organization off the ground.

Mrs. Black said she received overwhelming support after discussing the idea with Mayor Judy Hetherly and County Judge Wayne Boultinghouse.

The steering committee consists of Mrs. Davis, Amy McDaniel, Beverly Wood, Carol Wright, Sue Zane Faulkner, Jane McMillin Margaret Bills and Joan Milam.

The group is fine-tuning its mission statement, but Mrs. Davis said it was created to support the animal shelter by helping the unwanted and lost animals brought there for care.

It also will be a goal of FOLAS to promote responsible pet ownership through education concerning spaying and neutering pets, as well as encouraging the humane treatment of animals to alleviate animal cruelty and neglect.

“We will be a working group,” she said. “We are not going to be offering programs with experts; we are working for the animals.”

Along with financial support, Mrs. Davis said there are several ways residents can participate in FOLAS. They can interact with the shelter as a volunteer to assist with animals, provide needed items and help raise funds to purchase them.

Assistance also is sought on educating the public through newspaper articles, flyers, bumper stickers and talking to clubs and schools about animal care and providing for the animals’ needs.

Mrs. Davis said the county’s veterinarians have been supportive of FOLAS. And the supervisor of the animal shelter, Kasey Dressel, has been very helpful, as well, Mrs. Davis added.

The group hopes to put out an e-mail newsletter that shares what items the shelter needs, with the list provided by Mrs. Dressel.

Other items FOLAS will consider include promoting an Adopt and Rescue Day, obtaining a non-profit status, accepting memorials or honorariums for animals and more.

“We need so much help,” Mrs. Davis said. “You don’t have to be an animal expert. You just have to love animals, be a dedicated worker and have an interest in making sure animals are taken care of.” There are no dues.

“We are anxious for anyone interested to come to the meeting Thursday,” said Mrs. Davis. “The more people who help, the more we can get accomplished.”

And that ties in with part of the group’s mission statement: “FOLAS will work toward the day when unwanted/abandoned pets are no longer a part of our community by working cooperatively with the county, city, veterinarians, schools and the public at large so that every animal in the county will have a safe and caring home; a forever home.”

For more information, contact Mrs. Davis at 556-3118 or send an e-mail to friendslas@hotmail.com.