Pet owners will no longer be able to leave unwanted animals in a drop pen at the Mason County Animal Shelter.
The pen has been closed, according to Rebecca Cartmell, a member of a committee of animal welfare activists formed by Mason County Judge-Executive Joe Pfeffer to advise him on shelter issues.
“The advisory committee met several times, met with shelter staff, listened to the public and consulted with other shelters on their best practices and came up with a list of suggested actions,” Cartmell said.
Closing the drop pen was the first suggestion from the committee. Cartmell surmised that allowing people to leave the animals in an unattended pen makes the practice of abandoning them easier. Without the option, owners may be more likely to rethink their decision and the shelter will have less animals with little background information to share with potential adopters.
There are several other changes in the works, some of them expected to be instituted within the next few weeks.
An adoption fee of $20 per pet will be put into place beginning Nov. 1. That accomplishes two goals -- placing value on the pets and ensuring that every pet adopted has been vaccinated, and treated for worms and fleas. The adopter will receive a card with the vaccine control number that can be given to the pet's veterinarian.
“Owners reclaiming pets that end up at the shelter will continue to pay a $25 reclamation fee,” Cartmell said.
“All animals at the shelter that have been picked up or surrendered will have a five-day hold for adoption or seven days before they can be handed over to a rescue organization. Rescue groups must also pay the $20 adoption fee,” Cartmell said.
The shelter, operated by Animal Control Officer Roger Mullikin, has begun using software that keeps a record of every animal that enters the shelter, from where and how it came to the shelter until it is adopted, reclaimed or rescued.
The computer program also keeps health records and records behavior issues. A photo of the animal is included and that information is automatically shared with social media sites such as Facebook and Petfinder.
The Humane Society of Buffalo Trace is also working to make conditions at the shelter better for the animals, Cartmell, president of the group, said. The group has purchased Kurando beds for the facility, meaning animals no longer have to lay exclusively on concrete floors.
“The HSBT also offers a spay/neuter program for Mason County residents,” Cartmell said. “Anyone who is a county resident is eligible. Application forms for the $75 voucher are available at local veterinarian offices, at the animal shelter and at Pfeffer's office.”
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