Marienthal ? A once empty rural schoolhouse is now alive with activity.

However, it isn’t students causing the commotion but 50 dogs and cats.

It has been more than 30 years since East Liberty School has housed students. But, since July, the small brick building has been the Silent Angels Advocates Rescue & Shelter.

“This is my life, my passion,” said Sherry Arney, founder and president of the nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter.

“People bring their dogs and cats to me in all sorts of condition. I’m trained as a vet-tech and worked for the Humane Society in San Jose, Calif.,” Arney said.

She said Silent Angels was the lone no-kill facility in the area. The new shelter has been a handy drop-off for unwanted animals. So popular is the facility that Arney’s greatest concern is running out of space in the shelter, which is also her home.

Since opening in July, people have discovered the shelter even though it’s located off Kansas Highway 96, 15 miles north of Marienthal on Road 20. With the help of her son, Richard Pell, who also is the mill operator at Heartland Mills in Marienthal, the two care for their current population of 30 cats and 20 dogs.

“I work from 5 a.m. to midnight caring for the animals. I clean their cages, groom each animal, walk them, give them their shots, medicine and clip their nails,” Arney said. “Why do people have animals if they don’t love them and want to take care of them?”

While healthy dogs roam in three large outdoor kennels, and individual cages, the cats either rest in pet taxies or occupy the playroom, which was Arney’s bedroom, and prior to that, a classroom. Now, she uses the chalkboard to list all cat names and cage assignments.

“I sleep on a futon in the living room. That way, I can be close to the sick animals if they need me,” Arney said. “I keep two isolation rooms for the very sick animals that are left here. We do everything we can to keep them alive.”

She works closely with Leoti veterinarian Hallie Hasel, owner of Hasel Veterinary.

“We’re very in favor of what Sherry is doing,” said Jackie Durant, Hasel’s assistant. “She has a spayed-and-neuter policy before adoption. They can’t leave her facility until we do that. Regular animal shelters have that policy but let the animals leave before its done. She is also efficient and runs a good shelter.”

Arney is state licensed. A former massage table doubles as an examining table, an IV bag hangs ready on a coat hanger, and her spotless kitchen houses an extra refrigerator just to keep the medicine supplies according to regulations.

She works hard to “make-do,” and proudly shares a dog biscuit recipe she cooks from scratch that are loved by animals and people alike.

“They’re so good. I use whole wheat flour, grated carrots, and apples and green eggs,” she said. “I also bake chicken and rice dishes that the animals love.”

The animals may come to her mangy with matted eyes. But roaming the shelter are only animals with coats that are shining and eyes clear. However, she said she is not a miracle worker, and some animals do die at the shelter. But not before she has tried to save them.

Her objective is to find a good home for each discarded pet.

“I make every effort to make sure they are going to a safe home. I even call the landlord and verify they can have a pet,” she said.

As a nonprofit facility, Arney runs on a shoe-string budget.

“I need building material so I can add a small barn to house more animals. I need food, cat litter and toys,” she said describing her wish list. “I am 60 years old and live on Social Security. My entire monthly Social Security check of $500 goes to the feed bill.”

Arney and Pell arrived in Wichita County from California to be close to her other son and daughter-in-law whose farmstead is near the rented school house.

“I came with 11 cats, and I just hated it here at first, and cried, wondering what I had come to. But then I realized I could open a shelter,” Arney said.

As with any new venture, money flows out with little coming back.

Pell said the vet bills have become outrageous. But, the welfare of the animals comes before their own needs.

“Some people don’t care if their animals live or die,” Arney said. “They think cats are just to catch mice, breed and die.

“I’ll go without eating to feed these animals.”