Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Animal Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Shelter group offers to fund improvements to county animal-shelter play yards; asks county to review proposal
Summary
ARU president Doug Islip told commissioners ARU will fund and staff upgrades to county animal-shelter play yards—adding sprinklers, shade and landscaping—to improve animal welfare and adoption outcomes, but asked the county not to pass ongoing water costs to the nonprofit.
Doug Islip, president of ARU, told the county forum that the shelter's outdoor play yards are largely dirt, lack shade and are unusable in hot weather or wet conditions, which harms dogs' welfare and adoptability. He said ARU prepared a proposal to install an automatic sprinkler system, shade structures and landscaping and is willing to fund work and labor.
"The dogs have no choice, no voice, no vote. Do they matter to you?" Islip asked commissioners, urging a quick review of the group's proposal and clarity on whether the county would cover ongoing water costs. He said ARU wants the upgrades to be sustainable and appealed to county public-works staff to coordinate.
County commissioners and staff acknowledged receiving the proposal at previous times and asked Islip to submit documentation; department representatives present said they would look into utilities and operational details.
No formal action was taken at the forum, but Islip said ARU would proceed with submitting paperwork and expected county staff to respond to the proposal.
