The Fayette County Animal Shelter Taskforce along with Fayette County animal advocates continue to work diligently with the Fayette County Commissioners and County Manager to resolve the debacle surrounding the new animal shelter.
It is taking hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars from concerned citizens to help the animals in this poorly designed $3.2 million shelter.
It appears from the work of the Taskforce that our county administration has allowed our county shelter to operate at substandard conditions for many years. Currently, due to the overwhelming response from the citizens of Fayette County, these issues are being addressed.
The Taskforce along with the animal advocates, have worked to expose the issues and demand changes. The new animal shelter director has made many positive changes at the shelter. Her recommendations are bringing about some necessary improvements to the building.
Ten kennels are being made to allow dogs to go outside through a new doorway. Additional outdoor kennels are being added to allow dogs to be outside while the indoor kennels are being cleaned.
An adoption trailer is being wrapped with the shelter’s logo to be used for offsite adoption events to move dogs out of our shelter before euthanasia lists are created and healthy animals lose their lives due to lack of space.
While the taskforce and animal advocates appreciate all these necessary changes, there remains the critical issue of the unfriendly, unwelcoming, and antagonistic work environment at the shelter created by some of the employees.
Issues with these employees include workplace bullying, the use of excessive force on the animals, animal abuse, and poor customer service for potential dog and cat owners and Fayette County citizens.
The Taskforce, along with several of the animal advocates have made our county administration aware of these many issues concerning some of the employees. The county was provided video tapes, audio tapes, and many email complaints regarding all these issues.
We want our county government to do what is in the best interest of our community, our shelter employees, and our shelter animals in resolving these issues to provide the best possible animal shelter for Fayette County.
The Fayette County Animal Shelter Taskforce and animal advocates
Lynn Lasher, Tami Hurst, Robin Allgood, Taryn Prestidge, Ann Whittenburg, Barbara Cokely, Gail Drouillard, Laura Sands, Sue Griffith and Cynthia Saracino
