More than 40 animal advocates in purple T-shirts attended Monday night’s
county council meeting, and six spoke during the citizens’ comments
portion.
Making their fourth appearance in council’s chambers in the past six
weeks, they expressed their frustration about the troubled county animal
shelter and renewed their offer to help.
The animal lovers made refreshingly different requests than are
typically heard during the citizens’ comments to council. Most people
stand before council asking that something be done for them.
Animal advocates speaking for the pets at the shelter stood before
council offering their time and talents to help the overburdened,
overcrowded and underfunded animal shelter. “Many of us will speak
during our three minutes tonight, but what good is it if all we do is
speak to you or at you, but not with you?” said Mary Reimers, president
of the Lancaster County Humane Society.
All seemed pleased with recent steps by the county, including the
hiring of Alan Williams as the shelter’s new director. All spoke
positively about Williams.
The animal advocates asked for more funding, two-way communication,
Saturday hours, clear photos of the pets on the shelter’s website and
Facebook pages, assurance that the medical needs of the pets are met,
including heartworm tests and vaccines, and a request to properly rid
the shelter of the parvo virus. They volunteered to help with each of
those tasks.
Let’s come together and see what we can do, they repeatedly asked.
Doris Macomson, of Ozzie to the Rescue, offered her expertise to clean
the shelter to rid it of the parvo virus. She said the threat of the
highly contagious and deadly disease is scaring potential rescue groups
away from the shelter.
Those speaking all said they wanted to help fill in the gaps’
recognizing that one person cannot possibly do all that is required.
They offered to answer the phone, do paperwork, take and post photos,
and take messages.
“We have also presented a waiver of liability form which every one of
us is willing to sign,” said Indian Land resident Janine Gross.
Construction of the shelter’s new cat house began a couple of weeks ago
with the pouring of the concrete foundation slab. County Administrator
Steve Willis said he was unaware of this, and the group let out an
audible moan.
“Granted he may be over 30 county departments,” Reimers said. “But this
is something lighting a fire under the citizens, so he should have made
himself aware of each and every step to put that fire out!”
While the citizen’s comments are limited to three minutes each, conversations about pets continued during the breaks.
A couple of council members shared their connection to their pets.
Council member Larry Honeycutt shared that the loss of a family pet felt
like the death of a family member.
Council Chair Bob Bundy held his iPad up and showed the animal
advocates a picture of his shelter-rescued dog, Ed Hilary, better known
as “Big Dog,” which he got from the shelter about five years ago. Bundy
and his dog hike mountain trails together.
By the end of the night, there was a slight ease in the tension that has existed between council and the animal rescue groups.
“Because pets don’t have a voice, you’ll never stop hearing ours,” said Sarge Douglas.
Diane Rashall, Indian Land resident and member of Lancaster Area
Shelter Supporters (LASS), attended the council meeting and said she is
“guardedly optimistic after the meeting for the first time.”
Reimers also expressed optimism.
“It was the first time in 10 years I have heard anything remotely positive from any of the council members,” she said.
After the meeting, Bundy said he felt they had reached a positive place
and was pleased to hear the overwhelming support for Williams as
director. Bundy said he realizes the job is too much for one person and
he has made several visits to the shelter in recent weeks.
“I think that Alan’s presence will help bridge the transition,” Bundy said. “I am encouraged and excited about that.”
Willis has rescued several dogs from the shelter over the years,
picking older dogs that aren’t as likely to be adopted out. He now has
three dogs.
The animal shelter has been under active investigation by the S.C. Law
Enforcement Division since May 13, when the director was placed on
administrative leave with pay. Williams was hired as new director June
27. He had filled in as interim director for the previous month.
New fees go into effect today. The new fee schedule for adoptions is
dogs, $25; cats, $30; puppies, $10 each with a cap of $50 if buying the
litter; kittens, $15 each with a cap of $50 if buying the litter.
The search is on for a shelter assistant.
7/1/16
Contact Mandy Catoe at 803) 283-1152
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