Helping a struggling shelter

PIQUA, Ohio (WDTN) - One man is behind the care for all animals in need within Shelby County. His name is Mike Lescowitch, and although he's helped by a handful of assistants, his volunteer work has taken over his life.

All the animals Lescowitch cares for live in his Sidney home, which doubles as the Shelby County Humane Society. At one time, 44 animals shared his home, he said.

"We have offices in the front porch, we have dogs in the house, and we have kennels in the back yard," said Lescowitch.

All of the Humane Society officers in Shelby County are volunteers, and all the shelter's funding comes from donations. Many times, Lescowitch and his co-workers dig into their own pockets to make ends meet.

"There are days that I wake up and say, "Oh, God, I'm not going to do this anymore,"" said Lescowitch. "Then I get out of bed and take the first call that shows up. We do what we love. Why we do it? We're crazy."

That's why one company is now stepping up to help. Maurices clothing store at the Miami Valley Centre Mall is raising money through the end of the month for the shelter.

"Any help they could have, they need it, so we're just trying to help them," said Samantha MacKellar, Maurices.

The store is also holding a fashion show called "Rescues and Runways" September 26, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Miami Valley Centre Mall. There will be an auction and animals available for adoption.

If you can't make it to the Piqua location, all Maurices stores across the country are collecting donations for their local shelters.