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Animal Control Board looks over several options
On Thursday, Oct. 25, Nevada's Animal Control Board members, along with Vernon County People for Pets representatives, met to discuss the possible future of Nevada animal control activities.
The Nevada Animal Control Board is made up of five residents appointed by the mayor who act as an advisory board, making suggestions to the city manager in regard to the city animal shelter.
Vernon County People for Pets is a non-profit organization run by volunteers who attempt to find homes for stray animals in the Vernon County area.
In a discussion labeled "just a talk" by Gary Herstein, public safety supervisor, the ACB and VCPFP brainstormed on some ideas of how to go about bringing the current animal control and animal shelter services up to date.
According to Herstein, the current animal shelter of Nevada is located in a flood plain, making it a difficult and dangerous location to maintain. Also, many important features of a shelter are lacking in the current facility, such as solid walls to separate the animals, which would help reduce fighting and help to control the spread of disease.
Despite several meetings regarding a new animal shelter, board members have been unable to solidify any plans due to a lack of city funding. However, during Thursday's discussion Gail Pos, chairman of the ACB, expressed her interest in pursuing grants and alternative funding for the project. While no specific grants nor funds were mentioned, Post did claim that she would be looking into what is available.
The location of a future shelter was one of the topics of discussion, with most believing that the frontage property of the old Nevada landfill would be an ideal place. This property is located north of Nevada, just past the industrial park and would allow for the seclusion of noise and odors produced by animals held at the facility.
While admitting any such plan would be in the distant future, the members spoke about the benefits of the new shelter and uses for a neighboring dog park. They believe that if a dog park were constructed next to a new shelter, then people would be more apt to visit and consider adoption of held animals.
Beyond the desire for a new shelter, board members spoke about the possibility of acquiring more employees to run the current animal shelter. Herstein stated that he would like to see the city hire two part-time employees to maintain the shelter and assist with adopting out animals.
VCPFP and the ACB agree that it can be difficult to keep people interested in adopting an animal if they do not have access to the shelter within a short amount of time. Having a person on duty at the shelter regularly would allow more possible adopters to visit, according to VCPFP members.
Also mentioned at the meeting was the possibility of People for Pets taking over the animal shelter duties of Nevada. People for Pets representatives responded quickly to this idea with a previously prepared rejection to the proposal.
A list of 10 reasons for the rejection was given to the board -- possibly the most significant of those being that People for Pets is an animal adoption agency, not an animal policing agency. As a non-profit, volunteer-based organization, the group said its resources are already spread thinly and that if more responsibility were added, the group would likely be unable to continue. Offering discounted spaying and neutering programs through local veterinary clinics and assisting with local animal adoption, VCPFP claimed that they are already doing all their resources will allow at this time.
Following the board discussions, Joyce Wilson resigned from her position as an ACB member claiming it could be a conflict of interest in her upcoming run for City Council. Wilson also announced that she would not be leaving her volunteer position with VCPFP.