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Resident urges Union County to expand animal-control services, proposes spay-and-neuter program
Summary
At the April 20 Union County commission meeting, resident Sean Miller told commissioners that county animal-control services are inadequate for cats and urged the board to add staff, start a spay/neuter voucher program and contract a veterinarian for weekly in‑county care.
Sean Miller, a Union County resident, told the Board of County Commissioners during the public‑comment period that he has rescued and cares for numerous cats and has struggled to obtain help from Union County Animal Control. "If you call Union County Animal Control, nobody will answer the phone," Miller said, detailing multiple cases of injured and infected cats that he could not get treated in time.
Miller urged three immediate priorities: hire additional animal‑control staff to cover the county, create a spay‑and‑neuter voucher program to reduce population growth in trailer parks and multifamily housing, and contract a veterinarian to visit animal services at least weekly to perform spay/neuter surgeries and treat injured animals. "Getting these animals spayed and neutered, also to control the population and getting emergency medical care is vital importance to the community," he said.
Commissioners acknowledged the concerns but repeatedly pointed to funding constraints. One commissioner said the county currently relies on a contracted veterinarian when animals are taken into custody and that animals accepted by animal services are typically taken to that vet "within 24 hours." Staff and other commissioners suggested outreach to private providers and volunteer groups as near‑term steps while recognizing that a sustained county program would require additional resources.
Miller said volunteers and community fundraising (including GoFundMe) have helped pay for surgeries but that systematic county support is lacking. Commissioners encouraged Miller to meet with staff after the meeting to discuss options and noted neighboring counties and private nonprofits sometimes provide services for Union County residents. The board did not take formal action on the request at the meeting.
The item illustrates a recurring tension the board faces between resident service requests and limited county budgets; commissioners suggested exploring private‑sector partnerships and potential voucher models before pursuing a county‑run program.
