Keith Strange/The News
A recent inspection of the Surry County Animal Shelter resulted in an unsatisfactory rating of the shelter, but officials say that most of the issues discovered have been addressed.
The latest surprise inspection of the Surry County Animal Shelter yielded a “disapproved” rating, but officials say that most of the issues discovered have been mitigated.
The inspection was conducted on April 26 by the animal welfare section of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
In her report, inspector Lindsey Lloyd found several issues with the local facilities that were “not acceptable.”
These included a kennel door in need of repair, rust on doors in the cat room and cracks in the facility’s floor.
The local shelter was also given a “not acceptable” rating for damaged gates on two kennel doors and one kennel not being escape-proof.
Floors and walls peeling at the Dobson shelter also resulted in a “not acceptable” rating.
Other issues dealt with sanitation and animal care, according to the inspection report.
Three cat enclosures were found without litter boxes, and five animals were discovered that lacked current rabies vaccinations.
One dog, a coon hound, was “found appearing to be severely emaciated and thin,” with an “injured tail that (was) bleeding.”
The blood, which the inspector noted was “a sufficient amount,” was found on the walls and floor of the kennel as well as on the dog itself, according to the report.
“Records indicate that the dog arrived at this facility on (April 2). Upon review of this facility’s program of veterinary care, the contract veterinarian should be contacted and his/her recommendation followed pertaining to this animal’s health,” Lloyd reported.
She said the animal was in need of “immediate veterinary care within 24 hours.”
Lloyd allowed the shelter 60 days to take care of the problems, and a spokesman for the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center, which oversees shelter operations, said most of the problems were corrected immediately.
“The inspection report did reflect a disapproval, but they gave us 60 days to come into compliance,” said spokesman Thomas Williams. “At the present time, all of the points in question have been corrected with the exception of those things that require capital improvements to the shelter itself. Those are going to take a little time.”
Williams said the issue is money.
“This is a quirky time due to the ongoing budget process,” he said, noting that next year’s budget, which begins on July 1, is yet to be approved. “We’re going to be asking for a little bit of additional time to take care of those issues.”
He said that county officials have been working with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services since the inspection.
“They have been very understanding and cooperative to work with, so I believe we’ll be able to to remedy this situation as quickly as possible,” Williams said.
According to Williams, the report won’t have any negative impact on the shelter’s operation.
“We don’t see any major problems going forward,” he said. “Every thing we could correct in a timely manner has been corrected.”
Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1929.
Out of 4,012 animals taken into the shelter last year, 186 were adopted, Last year’s operating budget for the animal shelter was about $459,690.
Basic Math ....... 4012 in the door, 186 adopted out the door that leaves 3826 animals.
There are 365 days in a year, you work 5 days a week, 52 weeks, that's 260 work days, take out your 11 government paid holidays, that leaves you with 249 work days
3826 divided by 249 work days......you're killing 15 a day
really? 15 a day.
you get 1/2 a MILLION a year to operate on and you kill 15 a day
I have seen trucks, loaded to the top of the bed rails with dead dogs and cats from your shelter at the county landfill
15 a day..... unless the state facts are wrong, or my calculator is wrong, you kill 15 a day
"Both Ange and Brown were adamant when asked whether animals are being abused or neglected at the county shelter.
“Absolutely not,” They answered with one voice"
My kids say the same thing when i ask if they ate the cookies, the difference is, they know its wrong
"One dog, a coon hound, was “found appearing to be severely emaciated and thin,” with an “injured tail that (was) bleeding.”
The blood, which the inspector noted was “a sufficient amount,” was found on the walls and floor of the kennel as well as on the dog itself, according to the report.
“Records indicate that the dog arrived at this facility on April 2, (the inspection was held on April 26th, that's 24 days, till someone called the vet)
"Ange and Brown both agreed that anyone who wants can visit the shelter and fill out a volunteer application"
How about......its a public facility, that my tax dollars pay for along with your salary , retirement, medical etc. I should be able to walk in the door and say "Hi, I would like to see what animals you have here today, I am interested in adopting."
“I’ve had staff literally crying that they have to do that. We don’t like it, but it’s sometimes necessary due to the condition of the animals we get.”
at 15 a day.......you probably go thru a lot of tissues
Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.
~ Albert Schweitzer
we have gone to other shelters have an over flow to pick up animals so they could be took care of at all of these prisoners were taking care of the animals, these animals were not only in good shape, but none were without water, food,medical care, or clean cages. If our commisioners are going to defend the workers and not the animals then i belive an theres an election is comming up, and it's time for a change in surry county, not only with commisioner but all our elective officals, lets stand together for change and form a citizens group that can work along side with the shelter in taking care of these animals.
When I arrived to my job at an assisted living facility this morning and opened the news paper, I was appalled by the article on Surry County's Animal Shelter. There were a number of reasons. I have lived in Mount Airy for nearly 7 years, after moving here from Flint, Michigan. I have always been proud of my adopted home, however, after reading this article, I believe there is a serious need for a redesign of our animal care in this county. It is said that the character of a society may be judged on the care of its least important citizens. Some take this to mean human, but I, as many others, feel this also includes animal, plant, and environmental life. As an individual who not only cherishes her own pets, but also runs an animal rescue, and networks with many throughout the country, I am ashamed to say I live in Surry County. The word Shelter itself is indicitive of a safe haven, a resting place, somewhere you can go to be replenished, protected. If this is not true for even our weakest, how can it be true for anyone or anything else? As a Christian community, we should be caring for our defenseless animal friends. The bible says, in Psalms 104:25, 27. Animals, both small and great.. they all wait for thee to
give them their food in due season. Are we not then called to be stewards of Gods animal creations? Some may say animals have no value, but again, the bible states, in Job 12:7-10. But ask the animals, and they will teach you; or birds of the air
and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you; or let the fish
of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the
lord has done this. In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all
mankind.
Again, our goodness, our humanity, is measured in how we treat and care for the earth and creatures. The people who are in charge of the Animal Shelter were appointed to and hired for their positions of responsibility because they have been entrusted to protect and serve these animals. Now, I am a realist, and I know that the job is great and many times there are not homes found for some if not most of these animals. However, once a dog or a cat has been chosen to be eligible for adoption, should they not receive the utmost in care? A medical doctor takes the hippocratic oath, to first do no harm. Are veterinarians not also called to this? To think that the Animal Shelter in my county that is funded with my tax money cannot be bothered to make sure that cats in their care have a basic litter box? That a dog that has been "rescued" is emaciated and wounded because a Shelter has not cared for them in the proper way? Recently, my uncle adopted a dog from the Surry County Animal Shelter. The dog, a small scotty, was so matted that when she was taken to the veterinary groomers to be shaved, a large gash was discovered in her flesh. The wound was old, and required staples. My uncle loves the dog already, but was disheartened that he was allowed to adopt an animal that had been neglected by the very people meant to save her. The Animal Shelter in Surry County is run by appointed officials. That means, the county commissioner that WE as citizens have appointed, is responsible for the upkeep of this facility. He has been entrusted by us to carry out his job to the best of his ability. In turn, those who he hires and appoints to work at the shelter should also be of a certain character, as they are given this position of great trust to carry out a simple decency of care and respect. If DSS were to walk into a nursing home or assisted living facility in Surry county and discover residents without proper facilities to use the restroom, wash themselves, or worse yet, that they were starving and not receiving proper medical care, the business would be shut down. There would be lawsuits and criminal charges filed. How can we as a society depend upon elected officials to care for our elders, our children, our families, if they cannot be responsible for animals? When no one is looking, it is easier to become lax in a persons responsiblities. Should an innocent life suffer because of this? Is this the kind of person I want in charge of my tax dollars? I am disgusted, and I know I am not alone. I urge you to publish this letter, not for my own satisfaction, but so that I may be a voice for these animals, and for my fellow citizen. We are not going to tolerate this kind of behavior, and this is not the kind of people we want to be.
It is shame that the shelter adopted out LESS than 10% of the adoptable animals that come through their doors for the past 2 years. That is a crying shame. It all boils down to being lazy and not wanting to do the extra work. There are many volunteers to help if you would just allow them to. I looked at the Petfinder site for the shelter 2 days ago, there was not one adoptable pet listed. That is just plain un acceptable.
I think it is just plain hypercritical the way this has been handled. Ir really is sad that it took the paper 1 month to publish this article. It is not fair to the animals that die at the shelter because the people “in charge” are too sorry to get the word out. It is not fair to the public who’s tax money funds the shelter.