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Animal control reports surge in dumped animals; rescue seeks nonprofit status
Summary
Animal control chief Marita Tharp told the council there were 43 calls this period, multiple litters and dumped puppies at a community event, leaving kennels full; the rescue is pursuing 501(c)(3) status and may hire legal help to finish paperwork.
Marita Tharp, Clinton’s animal control officer, told the council on May 14 that calls to animal control have surged and staff and volunteers are strained.
"There has been 43 calls into the animal control office," Tharp said, describing a recent influx of litters: "four cats of which three had kittens a day or two after I brought them in... three puppies were dumped at Archiefest." She said kennels are frequently full and identified repeat dumping spots including Frazier Street, Yellowjacket, Clinton School, A-lawn Station and Cash Saver.
Tharp said the rescue group assisting the city is working toward 501(c)(3) nonprofit status but progress has been slow and they may retain an attorney to finalize the paperwork to ensure the filing is done correctly. "I feel like we're going to end up getting a lawyer... I want it 100% right," she said.
Council members asked clarifying questions about intake and capacity. Tharp said some animals are handled over the phone but many require in-person response; she reported that one of the puppies picked up had already been adopted and two remained in care at the time of her report.
Tharp asked council members for patience and support as staff and volunteers manage the caseload; no formal action or funding request was taken during the meeting. Council members acknowledged the strain on resources and discussed the rescue's need for nonprofit status to expand placement options and partnerships.
The animal control report is scheduled as part of routine department head reports; Tharp’s remarks provide operational context for future budget and partnership decisions.
