Half a dozen citizens and members of local rescue groups addressed the county council at Monday night's meeting, while an additional 30 offered support by their presence. They said they have no desire to argue or make accusations during the crisis. They just want to help save the animals by providing help and cooperating with the shelter operation.
"I didn't come to nag and harass or disrespect the governing body," said Mary Reimers, president of the Humane Society of Lancaster.
Reimers set the tone for the group. One after another, the animal advocates spoke, asking only to be allowed access to help the animals locked away at the shelter.
Council chambers' capacity of 110 had been exceeded, and at least one animal advocate group stood in the hallway outside.
"We are here for those who do not have a voice. We are here for the animals of Lancaster County," Indian Land resident Janine Gross said.
An animal shelter with a capacity of 24 dogs in a county of more than 80,000 residents falls short of the need. Chesterfield County, with a population of just over 46,000, has a new shelter with a capacity of 101, said Chesterfield County Shelter Director Jim McDonigal.
The animal shelter has been under investigation since May 11, when the county placed Director Shandy Miller on administrative leave. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) took over the case May 13 to avoid any conflicts of interest, since the county's animal-control officers are supervised by the sheriff's department.
When the investigation began, Lancaster County sheriff's spokesman Doug Barfield said the allegations did not involve the direct care and welfare of any animals there.
County Administrator Steve Willis stated the following in an email June 11: "The position of Lancaster County Animal Shelter Manager is vacant as the former manager is no longer employed by Lancaster County. The search for a new Animal Shelter Manager is under way. As this is a personnel matter we have no further comment."
The interim Animal Shelter Manager and county Animal Control Staff continue to make sure that the animals are being cared for at the shelter."
On Wednesday, Willis said the county has made a conditional job offer for the vacant director's position following an internal search.
Adoption and rescue fees are still being waived at the shelter for anyone wanting to save a dog or cat, Willis said.
SLED official Thom Berry said on Thursday that the investigation is active and ongoing.
At Monday night's meeting, the rescue groups offered their time and promised to work seamlessly with the shelter. Suggestions included extending the hours of the shelter to give working people a chance to reclaim or adopt a pet.
"Could you or would you take a day off work to go adopt a pet? Working people can't do this," Reimers asked county officials.
Gross encouraged the council to post a calendar with needs and tasks listed so volunteers could sign up and fill the gaps for the shelter.
Speaking for the many animal advocates attending the council meeting, Gross told the officials that the volunteers are ready to serve and want to photograph the animals, walk the dogs, socialize the pets, network and transport, assist with temperament tests, notify owners, answer phones, take messages, clean cages, do laundry.
"One of our volunteers traveled over 5,000 miles last year transporting dogs to safety," Gross said.
That member is Indian Land resident Diane Rashall, a member of Lancaster Area Shelter Supporters (LASS). Rashall said she drove 4,700 miles in 2015 and has already racked up 4,000 miles in 2016. Transport drivers are always in need.
Rashall said 90 percent of dogs taken in by rescue groups are transported to Northern states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Those states have spay/neuter and license laws limiting the number of adoptable dogs.
"Our overabundance solves their shortage," Rashall said.
Rescue groups then choreograph a rescue operation rearranging supply and demand.
A dog needs to be quarantined for two weeks once it leaves the shelter, and rescue groups transport the dogs to boarding kennels for that period of time, Rashall said.
She transports to kennels in Chesterfield, Dallas, N.C., and Indian Trail, N.C., and takes dogs to vets for spaying/neutering and heartworm treatment.
Gross presented council with a packet of sample forms that could be put to use immediately, clearing the way for volunteers to serve the pets.
"Every volunteer is willing to sign a waiver of liability to protect the county," Gross said. "I've included that form in the packet."
Three-year shelter volunteer and Lancaster resident Wanda Johnson informed council of a large nearby facility on Lynwood Drive with 40 dog runs that could be considered to ease the overcrowding. That would be cheaper than starting from scratch, she told council.
Johnson thanked council for the recent decision to add a cat house, since cats are often overlooked. Reimers had also asked that cats' pictures be placed on Facebook to promote their rescue.
The animal shelter cats have found a friend in the local PetSense store, which has a partnership in place with the shelter in an effort to find them homes.
Indian Land resident Nita Watson asked council to address inconsistent postings of shelter hours on its website, Facebook page, voice mail and the sign on the gate at the shelter.
Watson said she has offered to write grants for the shelter in an effort to bring in funding to fill the gaps, but has been unable to obtain necessary information from shelter officials to complete grant applications.
Most volunteers who spoke Monday night insisted that the animal shelter give vaccinations on intake to prevent an outbreak of parvo or distemper.
"You need rescue groups, and they are walking away because of the threat of parvo," said Doris Macomson, York County resident and founder of rescue group Ozzie to the Rescue.
"Get back on track so we can help you," Macomson said.
No comments:
Post a Comment