Published: December 23, 2006 01:08 pm            

The Extra Milers: Phyllis Hilton

There is a place where you can go to find 30 or more pair of eyes looking at you with love. In this place, there is a large white Alice in Wonderland rabbit who thinks he is a cat (rubbing against your hands and legs to get attention). There are numerous cats crying to be touched and held, puppies who temporarily stop their romping to plead for you to pick them up, and several grown dogs who have figured out how to look through the windows from the back yard to greet visitors. Phyllis Hilton invites you to tumble into her world to meet these animals and to enjoy the love of the Clark County Human Association animals. She is the executive director and agreed to my interview only because she is happy to publicize the organization. Phyllis is a modest woman who I have admired and volunteered with on and off for 11 years. However, Phyllis was a primary advocate for our animals well before I came to Clark County. In her job, she lives to work instead of working to live.

While visiting the Humane Association on Middle Road for this interview, I watched as Phyllis picked up and cuddled a scruffy little dog that had been dropped off by her owner. She said the dog, which had clearly been held often in the past, needed special attention and she tried to give it to her when possible. “When possible” means when Phyllis is not cleaning up the floor, feeding the animals, taking them in for veterinary visits, giving medication, bathing, or repairing the puppy playroom. Since her love for these animals is obvious, I asked her to tell me about the most difficult part of her job. She didn’t hesitate, “The hardest thing for me to do is to tell someone on the telephone that we cannot take an animal simply because we have no more room.” The Humane Association is a “no kill” association and the animals have a home forever if they are not adopted by a new family. A new animal cannot be added until a family falls in love and completes the adoption process for a new pet. When asked about her hours of service, Phyllis advised she puts in approximately 9-10 hours a day – five days a week and 8-9 hours on weekends; however, she is quick to add that the organization is dependent upon several hard working and dedicated volunteers. Her motivation is clear-cut, “The thought of these animals being euthanized or on the street isn’t something I handle very well. My chosen work is to save as many as I can.” Phyllis thought for awhile and added, “ ... and it will never be enough.” Indeed it would be easy to feel this way. While talking with Phyllis for a couple of hours, she received numerous calls from people who wanted to drop off their pets or strays. The Association home is currently filled to capacity and she had to tell them there was no room.

Phyllis began helping animals about 20 years ago when she noticed a neighbor wasn’t caring for their dog. She called to get the city to help the animal; however, nothing happened. She decided to take care of the problem herself and bought the dog a shelter. She then started going to Humane Association meetings to find out what she could do to help our local animals. Phyllis sadly pointed out, “The need never ends. As long as we do not spay or neuter our pets, they will continue to over-populate and there are more animals than families who want them.”

Phyllis used to play music with the Louisville Orchestra; however, she gave it up, adding, “I no longer have interest in my musical career ... all I care about is saving these animals.” Her husband, Joe Fetter, is extremely supportive of the work Phyllis does with the animals and puts in many hours also. He never knows when he will be called upon to act as a handy-man, maintenance man, or even Santa Claus.

When asked what she would want the public to know about the animals and the adoption process, Phyllis responded, “It isn’t easy to find the right homes for our animals. They need to be safe, have room to run and play, and to be loved.” She added, “It is easy to love a puppy or kitten initially because they are so cute, but when they go home and begin chewing or scratching furniture or crying during the night, many families are ready to return them.” Phyllis goes to great lengths to match up the right family with the right pet, to create a long term loving family relationship.

The Humane Association animals live at 2702 Middle Road ( Jeffersonville ) and Phyllis indicated they were extremely pleased with this facility, which was purchased a few years ago. “A kind hearted lady on our mailing list put the Humane Association in her will. We were so surprised and grateful for the gift. It allowed us to bring our animals together in one place where we can bring potential families to visit.”

Phyllis didn’t need time to contemplate her personal wish list, “People need to step up and get involved in their community in a volunteer capacity. There are so many organizations with needs in Clark County , such as the library or the scouts or of course the Humane Association. Things don’t get taken care of on their own and you can’t rely on the government to do it all for us.” As I left the company of this dedicated Clark County Extra Miler, I do believe I heard the white cat ... ummm, I mean rabbit purring as Phyllis stopped to scratch its head.

You can contact the Humane Association via their web site at: www.humaneassocofclarkcounty.com or by calling 812-285-8703. They are looking for good homes and dedicated volunteer extra milers.

Continuing on with this pet theme, one of my beloved dogs, Dundee , passed away recently from cancer. It was a difficult time for our family. Several days later a card came to our home from our pet’s veterinarian at Allison Lane Animal Hospital . The card was signed from our pet’s doctor and the staff and the loving sentiments brought tears to my eyes. Our pets live for our love and to please us – even when they (or we) are not sure what that might be. Years ago I copied this verse for the front of our pet file, “He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.” I doubt few of us truly are worthy, but I know the short list would include our Extra Milers, Phyllis Hilton, the volunteers throughout Clark County who give our animals love, safety and security, and our veterinarians who take the time to ease suffering and to go that extra mile.

Carol A. Dawson is a resident of Jeffersonville and president of a national training and consulting company, EEO Guidance, Inc . If you have seen or been a part of an act of kindness or know an extra miler, let us know about it. To submit a story or act of kindness, contact Carol via email: Extra.Milers@newsandtribune.com or send mail to: The Extra Milers, The Evening News, 221 Spring St., Jeffersonville, IN 47130-3340.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.