09/06/2024
I wanted to clarify a few things about the shelter, first, the reason there is no volunteers right now is because we have a new Animal Shelter Supervisor and need some time to get organized and we are working on a policy procedure book. We did have a volunteer that was helping the Animal Shelter Supervisor, and they were attacked by a very large Pit Bull and ended up with bites and broken bones. After discussing this with the City Attorney, it was decided that any volunteers must be with a city employee. The City can’t let a volunteer take animals out of the shelter by themselves, in case the dog attacked or bit, not only the volunteer but anyone else. At the current time we have 27 kennels and 37 dogs and are very overcrowded. Some of the animals have been there since 2023 and several have been adopted or taken to rescues, but not enough to make that much of an impact. All the rescues that we have worked with are in the same position we are with being over capacity. Everyday the Animal Control gets calls about vicious or running at large dogs that are tearing up trash or creating a nuisance. We also have dogs that are abandoned in houses that are literally starving and have the same problem with cats. We are in the process of building a structure to house 14 more dogs, but it is not completed at this time. If you know of any rescues that would take them or if you would like to adopt, we will work with you to have the dog spayed or neutered before you take possession, but we are in a crisis and unfortunately, some dogs that are not adoptable may have to be euthanized. Mayor Brenda Weldon