Saline woman seeking a no-kill animal shelter program
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Ideals clashed against budgets at the county Animal Control Committee meeting Tuesday.
Casey Fritts is lobbying committee members to consider a no-kill animal shelter, or at least a waiting period before domesticated animals are euthanized by the county. Fritts said she understand feral cats and potentially dangerous dogs eventually have to be euthanized, but she objects to quick euthanasia of animals that could be adopted.
"I don't agree with an animal who is young, health and able to be adopted being euthanized on the first day," Fritts said.
Fritts said 300 or more people have posted stories on her Voice for Animals Facebook page about animals being euthanized within two or three days, or less, at the county shelter. She has been told big dogs are typically euthanized on the same day; little and cute ones may get a few days reprieve to see if they can be adopted, Fritts said.
Committee Chairman Carey Harbison, a veterinarian, said he is new to the committee and wants to learn more before the committee makes a recommendation to the full board, but he seemed generally in favor of some sort of waiting period before animals are euthanized. He wants to learn more from employees at Animal Control and from Dr. Cliff Morris, the county's contractual veterinarian, about the logistics of operating the shelter before saying anything definite.
One thing is sure, Harbison said -- the solution can't cost much more than what is already spent on animal control. The county's resources are already stretched thin -- keeping more animals, or keeping animals for a longer time while waiting for them to be adopted will lead to higher operating costs at the shelter, Harbison said.
"I know the board will not go for more spending, more money on it," Harbison said.
Fritts suggested volunteers could be found to work at the shelter, or money could be raised from businesses for more food in the event animals are kept alive longer.
Harbison wondered whether volunteers and donors could eventually dry up. He said he would like to see a list of potential donors and volunteers to take to the full board as part of a proposal.
Fritts also questioned fees like $170 for return of a stray dog picked up by Animal Control; $140 for a stray cat; and $40 for the microchip used to track dogs. Those prices aren't affordable for many, she said. She wondered why the county charges so much for a microchip implant when state law provides for clinics with lower charges.
Fritts also objected to the practice of euthanizing dogs based upon whether they appear to be stray or belong to someone. How is that determination made, she wondered.
Fritts said Mike Sullivan, the animal control officer for the city of Harrisburg, has told her that he uses his own discretion on whether to euthanize a dog immediately.
The county Animal Control Committee does not have control over Harrisburg's policies regarding animals.