Residents urge Macon County to bolster animal-shelter staffing and oversight amid safety concerns

Dozens of residents pressed the Macon County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 11 to address staffing shortages and safety problems at Macon County Animal Services, saying shortages are harming animals and endangering volunteers and residents.

The most detailed remarks came from Dr. Joanne Rosner, a veterinarian and longtime volunteer, who said she has spent ‘‘thousands of dollars’’ and months of volunteer time supporting the shelter and described equipment and staffing gaps that risk public and animal safety. "There are not even smoke detectors in this building," Rosner told commissioners. She urged the board to ensure a ‘‘functional animal control’’ with trained staff and an open public role in decisions about any privatization.

Constance Neely and other speakers warned that privatizing the shelter could shift priorities toward cost-cutting and away from animal welfare. "A private company will cut corners," Neely said, adding that adequate human, financial and infrastructural resources are necessary to reduce overcrowding and unnecessary euthanasia.

Volunteer speakers and rescue managers described day-to-day pressures on shelter operations. Elizabeth Short said the shelter took in 59 animals in one month and noted that historical kennel-cleaning staffing has fallen even as intakes have risen—from roughly 600 animals a year in earlier years to about 1,400 now. "When you have no kennel cleaner ... that's an eight-hour shift," she said, arguing the shelter needs more than one kennel cleaner and officers with enforcement authority.

Ashley Higgs, manager of Appalachian Animal Rescue Center, told the board that rescue organizations rely on animal officers to investigate cruelty and aggression complaints and asked for more officers who can issue citations. "We legally cannot go out" to enforce, Higgs said, describing limits on rescues and volunteers.

A volunteer, Robert Melanson, described the stress animals experience in kennels and said with limited volunteer capacity he believed prolonged confinement could amount to suffering; in those cases he said he would prefer euthanasia to extended misery. His remarks highlighted the limited daily windows volunteers have to walk dogs and the shelter—s dependence on a small group of regular volunteers.

Commissioners acknowledged the complaints. Interim County Manager Warren Cape said he had visited the shelter after earlier complaints and had discussed immediate repairs and staffing options with county staff. Cape said the board is researching whether animal-control functions should remain in the county structure or be transferred to the sheriff—s office and pledged to pursue improvements. No formal changes or votes were taken at the meeting.

Speakers asked the board to consider short-term fixes (temporary contractual positions) and long-term investments, including a low-cost spay/neuter strategy to reduce intake. Several citizens urged transparent public involvement if commissioners consider privatization or a transfer of responsibilities.

The board heard repeated requests to increase staffing, to clarify enforcement authority for animal officers and to protect volunteers and shelter employees from dangerous conditions. Commissioners said they are investigating solutions and thanked volunteers for their work.