Humane Society asks Bertie County to create Animal Welfare Advisory Committee

A representative who identified herself as Rachel and said she works with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) spoke on behalf of the Bertie County Humane Society on Nov. 3 and asked the board to create an Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AAC).

Rachel told commissioners the AAC would include up to eight people — residents and animal‑welfare professionals — and would make recommendations to the board on how to improve animal standards, raise awareness of the county shelter, and combat cruelty and neglect. "The committee will be made up of residents and animal welfare professionals, all with the goal of improving animal standards and bringing awareness of the county shelter to its community," she said.

She requested the board approve a committee structure (no more than eight members for now) and to accept nominations for initial appointments; she said the AAC would work alongside the shelter and bring recommendations back to the commissioners.

What’s next: the board acknowledged the request and accepted questions; staff will advise on formal appointment steps and any ordinance or administrative steps needed to create the advisory committee.