By Taylor J. Hale
Reporter

PLOVER — Not even historical flooding could stop dedicated Humane Society of Portage County staff from tending to the needs of displaced animals on Mar. 15 during the unprecedented severe weather outbreak.

Around ten staff members fought back against the flooding by making their way to work to feed and medicate the friendly pets. One staff member even walked to the shelter from home, battling the elements to care for the Humane Society’s beloved animal guests.

“Our office Manager Mickey Gosh walked to work,” explained Humane Society Executive Director Sherri Galle-Teske in an exclusive interview with the Gazette. “I expected phone calls, ‘I can’t make it, my cars stuck in the water.’ I never got one phone call from anyone. They all came.”

The sheer dedication from the shelter staff is impressive. Many faculty members had to park at neighboring retail locations and walk to the Humane Society, due to street flooding. The shelter closed to the public for the day during the situation. Plover police and officials help Galle-Teske, and her peers, navigate the drenched terrain.

“A very kind police officer had stopped me on Willow and Post Road and said that I looked like I needed to get to work,” Galle-Teske laughed. “The plover police department and the fire department did such a fantastic job.”

The structure of the shelter took no damage during the flooding, and no animals suffered any injury during the issued state of emergency. Galle-Teske explained that all animals received their medications on time and followed their usual daily schedule during the situation.

“We were so lucky,” Galle-Teske said. “We don’t have a basement here. We had large puddles, but the entire area surrounding our building was dry. We had no water damage.” Galle-Teske saw the situation as a learning experience and feels she now knows the true colors of her staff. “What we learned as staff, is how dedicated we are,” she said. “I couldn’t express my gratitude any more than to say how grateful and thankful I am for the loyalty and dedication of our staff to our animals here.”