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Animal control changes bring
good problems
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[SEPT. 5, 2003]
Logan County Animal Control
is facing an overpopulation of cats and dogs at the facility,
according to Patrick O'Neill, chairman of the county's animal
control committee. He said this is not a complaint or something they
see as bad. It is actually a reflection of a good thing, and it is
simply an unanticipated temporary problem that they don't really
mind having.
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The overpopulation stems from word
getting out that they are doing a good job. The number of stray
pickups has not really increased. However, there has been an
increase in pets that people don't want anymore being dropped off at
the shelter until good homes can be found. Last month 80 animals
were housed and 60 adopted. Last week the shelter had 97 animals and
60 pickup calls. The facility has become an adoption agency by
default.
The Agriculture Department is not too
happy with the overcrowding. If the animals don't find homes, it
will be necessary to start putting them to sleep. This is a practice
that is always avoided if at all possible.
The fees for adoption are nominal and
just to help offset costs. The fee is only $60 for a male and $65
for a female dog and $35 for a female and $40 for a male cat. This
low fee includes shots and spaying or neutering.
While finances were in the black in
July, O'Neill says he expects that to turn around. An August balance
is not yet known. The shelter has initiated some relationships with
businesses that are contributing food and other pet care items and
are assisting in other ways.
Four local businesses donate pet food
regularly: Big R, Kroger, Lincoln IGA and Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart also
provides damaged container goods as available, including litter and
treats.
Currently Atlanta is not contributing
financially. Animal control personnel will not be making calls
within the Atlanta city limits until the city decides to renew its
contract.
"Plans are in place that will relieve
the current difficulties," O'Neill assures. He just wanted to bring
everybody up to date.
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article]
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Two fund-raisers are in process.
Proceeds will help offset adoption and sheltering costs. There will
be a cook-out this Saturday, Sept. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at
Kroger.
Aluminum cans are also being collected
at the facility. You can just drop cans off there.
O'Neill said that the experiment of
having the shelter open so people could come see the animals on
Saturdays was successful. However, the shelter is temporarily
discontinuing that practice because of the increased workload to
care for the large population at present. No date is set, but they
will open on Saturdays again in the future.
O'Neill took the assignment of
overseeing the facility at the beginning of the year. He came up
with a three-phase plan to reorganize how things get done there. He
said the plan is just entering phase three, and they have been very
successful to date.
In phase three they will be taking
animals out to schools, nursing homes and other places. They have
done some of this already and it has been effective. They will work
at public awareness and education about the importance of population
control through spaying and neutering, particularly for outdoor
pets.
Open hours at Logan County Animal
Control are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and they are open
through the lunch hour. If you are considering an adoption but can't
make those hours, you can make a special appointment by calling the
Logan County Animal Control at 735-3232. They're located in the blue
building that sits back off the street at 1517 N. Kickapoo.
Warden
Vickie Loafman welcomes you to come out and look for your next pet.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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