By Betsy Finklea
Two representatives of the Dillon County Humane Society and the Animal Shelter Director spoke at the Dillon County Council’s June meeting.
Mary McDaniel, a volunteer at the shelter for almost five years, spoke about the overcrowding and “deplorable” conditions at the animal shelter. She said there was not enough manpower, and there was a problem of people dumping their animals at the shelter. She also spoke about a “firestorm” on social media regarding a rescue where the animals were sick and dying shortly after they left.
McDaniel mad some recommendations that included the following:
—implement and furnish the new building immediately.
—increase to four or five inmates and finding inmates who care for animals.
—hire two additional employees to help supervise the inmates, work hands on with the animals, exercise the dogs, and to clean the kennels and cages twice a day.
—upgrade two of the three part-time minimum wage employees to full time.
—fence in the grassy area adjacent to the shelter.
She said it would be a wonderful place for the dogs to exercise.
Terry McColl, another volunteer, also spoke. She focused most of her comments on the cats. McColl:
—requested the purchase of stainless steel kennels that can be sanitized for the cat intake room.
—requested that the county erect a “catio,” a screened patio, to let the cats go outside in an enclosure to give access to fresh air and stop disease.
—recommended that the shelter close its doors to new arrivals when there is overcrowding.
—said that the county needed to maintain a feral colony with some type of feeding program to allow for a trap/spay or neuter/release program.
—recommended purchasing more outdoor kennels for the dogs.
—recommended getting stainless steel exam tables.
—recommended establishing a standard intake procedure.
—get a grant writer to pursue grants.
—buy medicine directly from the manufacturer to save money instead of buying it from the vet.
She said these improvements should pay big dividends down the road.
Animal Shelter Director Douglas Pernell said the problem that they have is space. On the day of the meeting, they had 136 dogs and only 24 stalls. He said if someone brings an animal in, he has to take them, or if they call, he has to go pick them up unless there is an order put in place that tells him not to take them. He said if they don’t take them then people will dump them.
The estimate for the cages they need is $13,555 and $3,000 for the catio for a total of $16,555. He said hopefully this will solve the problem, and it would definitely be better than it was now.
Councilman Stevie Grice made a motion for the $16,555; seconded by Councilman Archie Scott. The motion passed.
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Editor’s Note: This meeting can be viewed on www.thedillonherald.com or on The Dillon Herald’s channel on YouTube.