Kenny the dog during the snow day. Photo courtesy Clermont County.

Kenny the dog during the snow day. Photo courtesy Clermont County.

<p>Dove the dog during the snow day. Photo courtesy Clermont County.</p>

Dove the dog during the snow day. Photo courtesy Clermont County.

<p>A scene from the snow day break room. Photo courtesy Clermont County.</p>

A scene from the snow day break room. Photo courtesy Clermont County.

<p>Shelter Staff Recognition at County Commissioners meeting Jan. 8, 2025. Photo courtesy Clermont County.</p>

Shelter Staff Recognition at County Commissioners meeting Jan. 8, 2025. Photo courtesy Clermont County.

Staff at the Clermont County Animal Shelter went above and beyond the call of duty during a recent snowstorm.

Darlene Williams and Max Simmons, both kennel technicians, and Maddy Annis, a veterinarian tech assistant, spent more than 48 hours straight at the shelter to make sure resident dogs got lots of extra hugs and playtime while Mother Nature blasted Greater Cincinnati with more than 10 inches of snow Jan. 5 and 6.

The trio extended their scheduled eight-hour workdays and stayed at the shelter Sunday morning until late Tuesday afternoon, sleeping in a utility room where laundry and cleaning supplies are normally kept.

“I’m a dog lover,” said Williams, 40. “It was a dream come true to have a slumber party with all kinds of dogs. It was great to spend more time with the dogs and see how happy it made them to play in the snow and get extra attention.”

Annis, 18, brought a cot, some extra clothes, snacks and a toothbrush to her shift that Sunday morning on the assumption the forecast for heavy snow would make it too hard for her and her coworkers to get home or return the next day.

Figuring out what to do for warm meals was the hardest part, Simmons, 20, said. DoorDash wasn’t delivering during the storm.

The best part for Simmons? Making snow angels with a dog named Hank!

Volunteers Emilie Peters and Krissy Neal stepped up to help fill the food gap. They braved the elements to bring the hungry staffers groceries and to play with the dogs. The husband of another volunteer dropped off Wendy’s for dinner Monday evening.

Showering was another challenge. The team improvised, using a hose with running water to wash off.

“It was just like camping,” said Williams. “We had to rough it out.”

But not so much that it dampened the staff’s dedication.

“We all bonded,” Williams added.

And all three returned for their regular shifts Wednesday morning.

The Clermont County Animal Shelter is a no-kill facility that provides a safe and caring place for stray, lost and neglected dogs. Its mission is to reunite lost pets with their owners, reduce the number of homeless dogs, offer adoption services and serve as a resource for the public about responsible pet ownership and pet care. The county-run shelter at 4025 Filager Road in Batavia takes in nearly 800 dogs a year on average.

The facility includes approximately 10,752 square feet of indoor kennel, medical and office space and approximately 7,545 square feet of outdoor kennel and play area spaces. An expansion project slated for this year will more than double the shelter’s outdoor kennel capacity.