Doggone it
LISA HOBBS - News Editor
Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center remains at capacity, according to Supervisor Jeff Tubb.
“We could empty the shelter today and be at capacity tomorrow,” Tubb stated, shining a light on the severe dog and cat overpopulation problem in the community.
Tubb provided a June report to members of the county’s Health and Welfare Committee on Thursday, July 9, at its new facility, which is currently under construction.
“At the end of the month, our shelter census, we had four cats and 40 dogs. For the month of June, we took in 18 cats and 13 dogs. We adopted out 16 cats and 14 dogs, for a total of 30 animals. We had two animals that passed away at the vet.”
Last month, the department received $843 in donations. Tubb added, and expressed his appreciation to, the 4-H Honor Club. It donated $823 of that total amount, which was monetary proceeds from a car show it held at Three Star Mall.
“At closing time today, we have 40 dogs in the shelter and nine cats. So far this month, we’ve adopted out four dogs and two cats,” Tubb stated.
Chairman Blaine Wilcher questioned the spike in the number of cats taken into the facility in June, to which Tubb stated the uptake in intake was due to people surrendering their house cats.
“Because of the disease out, we only take house cats,” said Tubb. “We had one guy that surrendered three. People were moving and couldn’t take them to their new apartment. Cats turn over fast; That’s a good thing. We have one cat over there now… The lady who surrendered it brought its vet records, so we have attached that to its paperwork. When it’s adopted, we will share that with the new owner.”
In the fall of 2025, the shelter endured an outbreak of cats with respiratory infections resulting in “matted eyes, runny noses and rattling lungs.” Once the facility stopped accepting outdoor cats, the issue resolved itself.
Tubb did want to clear up some misinformation being disseminated.
“It’s being said in the community that we are refusing to work with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and we’re not answering 911 calls. That’s absolutely not true. It’s total crap. We document, to the best of our ability, every phone call that comes in.”
The list was shared with Warren County Way, and it did appear to be a very detailed list that included, among other things, the caller’s name, what the call was in reference to, and the day/time of the call.
“We go every time the sheriff’s department calls us,” said Tubb. “So, the rumors out in the county saying that we don’t, are just people trying to stir the pot.”
Wilcher added, “It’s people putting it on Facebook.”
Tubb says there are a group of people in the community who intentionally wish to make Warren County Animal Control and Adoption Center look bad, even if it means using lies to accomplish that goal. He went on to tell commissioners that the Sheriff Jackie Matheny is doing an excellent job, and he and his department should be commended for the partnership it has built with them.
Committee members also heard from Warren County Health Department Director Andrea Fox, who provided them with her June update: in June, the Warren County Health Department completed 22 vaccines. It also completed 1,874 visits to 1,708 clients during that month.