An Atlantic woman who has been instrumental in saving the lives of animals by contributing to their safety, health and welfare, was honored this (Tuesday) afternoon during a surprise gathering at the Buck Creek Dog Park located on the west side of the Schildberg Recreation Area, in Atlantic.
Mary Turner, who for over 15 years, volunteered her services and much of her own money to the Atlantic Animal Shelter, has a bench with a plaque in her honor, located just inside the gates to the Dog Park. Mary was accompanied to the Dog Park by her husband Larry. He acknowledged she spent “An awful lot of time and effort and her own money…our money…into [the Animal Shelter]. And that’s fine, because she really believed in what she was doing.” Mary Turner said “I still believe it. I see a dog and I want to help them. Larry won’t let me take them home,” to which he responded “We’ve got one .” That drew laughs from those in attendance.
Mary said while she appreciates the recognition, she did what she did…writing grants for the Animal Shelter, buying food for the animals, and caring for them…because those dogs needed her. She said “I did it because those dogs didn’t have a home. If you look at a sad, sorry dog that doesn’t have a home and really needs one, how can you not [care]?” Larry Turner said her efforts led to a lot of dogs being adopted by loving families, but Mary said there were a lot of volunteers contributed toward the cause of finding homes for the animals. She praised the way the shelter looks now, and how much better it is for the animals.
The animals also have air conditioning for the warm months. Parks and Rec Director Roger Herring said Mary was a person who “made things happen” for the Shelter and the Animals it houses.