LISA HOBBS - News Editor
From temporary to permanent, commissioners have decided to not reinstate adoption fees at Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center.
“I say we make it permanent,” said Commissioner Blaine Wilcher.
Animal Control Supervisor Jeff Tubb stated, “This month makes me two years here, and the times we’ve not had free adoptions, we’ve only got one dog out on those months. The complete month, just one animal out. The decision is up to you guys.”
The county instituted a free adoption period that expired Sept. 10, which was the day the county’s Health and Welfare Committee met for this meeting.
“We used to fight that, and I was one of them,” said Wilcher. “I felt like if you don’t have any skin in the game, you probably didn’t need to have an animal. But, if nothing else, the animals leaving this facility are fixed. They aren’t going to reproduce. We took care of that part anyway.”
Tubb shared a card received from a Manchester resident who traveled to Warren County to adopt a dog, because its facility allegedly charges a $350 adoption fee. The note expressed their appreciation and included two pictures of May living her best life.
In part, it stated, “Well, May has a good home. She is a Velcro dog. It’s taking a bit for our 12-year-old to warm up to May, but they often lay together.”
People from as far away as Louisiana and Alabama have adopted animals from here, stated Tubb.
“I don’t like you sending them to Alabama,” said Commissioner Scott Rubley, a round of laughter followed.
The vote to make waiving adoption fees a permanent measure passed unanimously by Wilcher, Rubley, and Commissioners Phillip Stout, Brad Hillis and Steve Glenn.
Tubb presented August’s monthly report.
“We ended the month of August with seven cats and 29 dogs in the shelter,” he stated. “Month of august intakes: we took in seven cats and 11 dogs, for a total of 18 animals. We adopted out 11 cats and adopted out seven dogs, for a total of 18 animals.”
The facility, in a rare situation, had one animal escape.
“It was a cat; It had unlatched the kennel and took off,” said Tubb. “I heard a scream. It was Victoria. She said the cat just surprised her. She opened the door and it took off.”
During August, the facility has two road calls and 190 telephone calls. Received was $320. Of that amount, $120 was donations and $200 was court-ordered restitution.
In the first 10 days of September, the facility has taken in six cats and four dogs. Seven cats and six dogs have been adopted out.
During this meeting, Wilcher was elected chairman of Health and Welfare, Stout was elected vice chairman and Rubley was elected secretary.