Residents, volunteers press North Augusta leaders for new animal shelter and improved care

Residents and animal-welfare volunteers urged the City of North Augusta on Aug. 4 to accelerate plans for a new animal shelter, improve short-term care at the city pound and formally engage rescue organizations and volunteers in a working coalition.

At a public “power hour” before the City Council meeting, Tyler Gallus, president of Friends of North Augusta Animals (FONA), and several residents described what they said were unsafe conditions at the pound and gaps in communication between the city and rescue partners. Gallus acknowledged recent outreach from the city’s animal-control leadership and asked the council to convene a working coalition of citizens, rescue groups and veterinary experts ahead of a study session the council plans for September.

“The dogs deserve the right to be safe and treated humanely,” Gallus said, noting the recent loss of four puppies at the pound and saying volunteers need clearer access and more timely veterinary care. He told the…