Halifax County plans to continue pet adoptions after Animal Control Supervisor Robert Richardson told commissioners in a presentation Monday that Rainbow Rescue will leave the animal shelter building. I will work on it.
Board Chairman Vernon Bryant ordered Richardson to work with Rainbow Rescue to develop a tentative plan from now until July. “We would like to see a plan in place to continue these adoptions beyond July. Halifax County must do better when it comes to animals.”
Mr. Richardson told the board that Rainbow Rescue had worked with him for many years. “Last year there was an announcement that Rainbow Rescue was leaving and we had to consider what our other options were.”
Assistant Director of Health Betty Reese told the board the health department is seeking two full-time employees to staff the shelter. “These personnel help with things that they (animal control personnel) have to do, such as affectionate expressions, examinations, and socialization skills, which are difficult for them (animal control personnel) to do when the pet has to be euthanized after three days. These will differentiate some skill sets and allow us to be more considerate of the public and responsive to their needs.”
The health department asked for $109,000 for two full-time employees, $60,850 for operating costs, including veterinary services and food, and $41,720 for capital costs.
Reese said $25,500 of the $41,000 (one-time costs) is the amount the health department needs to bring the Rainbow Rescue building back up to code and continue to use it as part of the county's emergency response plan for pets. Ta. “If you factor in the additional $19,100 in revenue expected from the pet rescue, it would be approximately $166,000.”
Richardson said the county never had its own adoption program, but Rainbow was a point of contact for supporting the county's animal shelter. “If you look at what Halifax County has done to adopt or potentially adopt out animals, or at least reduce the pressure on shelters, it's almost zero. We always rely on rescues. , which ultimately got me to where I am now.”
There are only 36 runs in the shelter. “We have 24 cat cages and are the only shelter in the county. All animals that are handled come through our building. It comes from all municipalities and my people This is what I picked up.”
Richardson said surrounding counties have adoption programs in place.
Nash established a new adoption center with animal control. Edgecomb just allocated $4.4 million to the construction of a new animal control shelter and adoption center. Six years ago, Vance County built a new animal control and adoption center. “Everyone practices adoption because it is required by the Animal Welfare Act. Animals brought into our shelters are held for a minimum of 72 hours, and within that 72 hours they are released to the public and euthanized. I have to give her up for adoption first.”
With Rainbow's closure, seven animals remain in the building, which is expected to be emptied by the end of the month. “That being said, we could consider creating an adoption center or we could go back to where we were.”
Richardson said the county euthanizes more than 572 dogs and 1,000 cats each year. “It's a big deal and it's also about cooperating with rescue teams. If we didn't co-operate with rescues, our numbers would be at least double.”
Euthanasia involves financial burdens, but also human costs. “The people who clean, feed and care for the animals have to euthanize the animals, and they suffer. They suffer from what the country calls compassion fatigue. I am a certified euthanizer. I'm a death engineer. Two of my board members are, and the other two are going to be as well, and every time I get certified, I try to keep myself mentally focused so that I don't get burnt out and don't get used to what I'm doing. We need to take classes to make sure we are safe. Any means of relieving pressure from the shelter is needed.”
In less than a month, he said: “Our shelter will not be able to do adoptions. We don't have the staff, we don't have the space.”
Reese said the health department is discussing that without adoption centers, the euthanasia rate would nearly double. That means it will cost you an additional $33,000. “Pets are a stress reliever for me, but for police officers they can be a stress inducer because they have to work twice as hard.
Not only are we fighting for our pets and our communities, we are also fighting for our animal control staff. ”
County Manager Dear Denton said the county has worked with Rainbow Rescue for many years. “They've been a great partner for the county. They've really taken the pressure off the county to facilitate adoptions.”
She said the Rainbow building is owned by the county.
Mr. Denton presented options to the board. “We are currently working on a budget. Please wait to discuss a preliminary plan with Rainbow between now and July 1st so we can make sure we do it. If you would like to continue into the new financial year, please , we can plan for that position in the next budget year.”
