Meet Alice Klies
Q: Tell us what inspired you to do what you currently do.
“What I’m doing right now is busting my buns at the Verde Valley Humane Society. I’ve been on the VVHS board for almost four years and chair since February, 2022. I never imagined, before joining, what can go on in an animal shelter. I don’t think the community has a clue. I don’t know if today’s issues have anything to do with the COVID situation. Maybe people adopted animals to keep them company during the pandemic and need to surrender them because they can’t afford or house them. We do feel the economy has something to do with the number of animals we are seeing ‘dumped’ or surrendered.
Every shelter in the US is struggling, and we are no exception. We have never seen this number of animals being surrendered or dumped. We have citizens bringing in boxes of puppies, saying they found them in all sorts of situations and locations. We’ve also had an abundance of hoarding situations. Since April, we’ve had seventeen dachshunds housed in a small trailer which included several who were pregnant. Then fifteen Labrador mixes, many also pregnant with marks around their necks from chains and several who were in in cages bolted closed arrived. In May seventeen Mastiffs were brought in from another deplorable hoarding situation. This group also had pregnant mommas.
All of these situations put a strain on the real heroes…our incredible staff and kennel help. I can’t say enough about these amazing people. I also need to put a big shout out to all of our volunteers who selfishly give up their time to walk our dogs and socialize our cat and kittens. True heroes, all of them!
We are non-profit. Our board puts their hearts and souls into VVHS. We are unpaid, volunteers who have a passion for making our shelter one of the best. We depend on generous donors to keep the doors open. We service all of Yavapai County, Cornville, Clarkdale, Cottonwood and what most people don’t realize, we service the Village of Oak Creek. Even though most have a Sedona address, the Sedona Shelter does not service them.
We are full most of the time. We are desperately trying to find avenues to fundraise for the needs of the shelter.
When we take in fifteen kittens without their eyes open or puppies in the same condition, we need to find fosters to home them and feed them every two hours. We desperately search for kind hearted people that will open their arms to the animals in need.
I have fostered several of our animals and though trying sometimes, the benefit and feeling of successfully helping one of them blesses me more than I can explain.
I’m amazed when a citizen questions an adoption fee. We not only feed, water and house them, we have to spay and neuter every animal, chip them, keep them up to date on all shots and any medical needs they may have. Often, the animals have rotten teeth, so dental work is warranted and most recently a luxating patella and damaged hip.
We have a new ED, Brenda Ridel. She came on board in June and is doing a great job. We also hired new Shelter Manager, Mel Lucus. Her experience is already proving to be the asset we expected.
All in all, shelter life is challenging, but oh so rewarding when an animal walks out our front doors with its forever human. A big shout out to all the adopters who walk into VVHS. Thank you.
Q: How long have you lived in Cottonwood?
We’ve been in Cottonwood twenty-three years. My husband is a retired police officer of forty years.
Q: Who’s one of the most interesting people you’ve met since living here?
I wouldn’t describe her as interesting, but I admire Diana Jones who was Mayor of Cottonwood for many years. When she ran for County Supervisor, I was on her campaign committee. She is an extremely bright, strong woman who cares deeply for her community. Diane is a genuine humanitarian. I’m honored to know her.
Q: What would your best friend say to describe you?
She would most likely say that I should tie my hands behind my back because I raise them too often when asked to do something.
Q: What person dead or alive would you like to have lunch or dinner with?
Probably, Walter Cronkite. I met him once when I was Marketing Director for Tom Chauncy’s Arabian Horse Farm. I’m a writer and I’d love to have the opportunity to talk to him about my writing. You know, he started the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU. Yeah, I’d have lunch with him.
