City staff removed the silhouettes early this morning and will reinstall them when they are returned.
The animal shelter was “monsterized” by Discovery Channel’s “Monster House” in 2005.
Larry Burns, an avid animal lover, created the silhouettes with the help of his students at Cleveland State Community College, Cleveland High School and 4-H Club members in 2008.
The big Styrofoam bone is an original item from the 2005 monster house transformation, with one exception. In 2008, Burns added a bird silhouette perched on one end.
According to Burns, the silhouettes provide a friendlier, more inviting atmosphere at the kennel.
He has recruited several local groups and volunteers to assist him with the restoration.
The animal shelter takes in thousands of homeless pets each year from Cleveland, Bradley County and other surrounding cities.
“We encourage and prefer adoptions, when possible,” said City Manager Janice Casteel. “We have numerous agreements with rescue groups whose life work is to find homes for many homeless animals.
“The latest development to encourage adoption is the recent action taken by the Cleveland Animal Shelter Advisory Board. They voted to lower the adoption fee from $90 to $50 in the hope of increasing adoption rates. Please visit our shelter at 360 Hill Street S.E. and adopt a lifelong pet today.”
