FLORIDA: MANATEE COUNTY BACKS OFF CUTTING ANIMAL SERVICES DUE TO STRONG RALLY SUPPORT!


UPDATE: 6/22/11-
DUE TO STRONG RALLY SUPPORT, MANATEE COUNTY BACKS OFF CUTTING ANIMAL ADOPTION PROGRAMS!

Click here: Manatee County budget cuts: Animal adoption advocates rally support | HeraldTribune.com


Manatee considers cutting animal adoption programs


Click here: http://dogpostdaily.com/2011/06/manatee-considers-cutting-animal-adoption-programs/

PLEASE TAKE ACTION!
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Posted on 15 June 2011


By Halle Stockton



Herald Tribune


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Photo: A dog awaiting adoption is seen at the Manatee County Animal Services adoption facility in Palmetto after the facility was renovated in 2009. The adoption program would be cut under a Manatee County budget proposal.



MANATEE COUNTY - Hundreds more cats and dogs would be euthanized in Manatee County each year if county commissioners approve the proposed elimination of county-run animal adoption programs.


Eliminating the adoption programs  a move suggested by some Manatee County Commissioners at a budget work session last week  could save the county between $200,000 and $300,000 a year.


Kris Weiskopf, chief of animal services, said the cut would mean the county would be unlikely to save more than 500 shelter dogs and cats a year that are now adopted out to new owners.


We would pretty much not have any alternative but basically be a revolving door for animals to come in and get killed, he said.


The proposal has ignited anger among animal rights advocates in the region. A protest against the proposed cut is planned at the Historic Courthouse in downtown Bradenton just prior to the 6 p.m. budget hearing where the Animal Services budget will be discussed.


Eliminating the adoption program would lead to the closure of the downtown Bradenton animal adoption center that opened across from the courthouse in January. The adoption portion of the Palmetto animal control facility, at 305 25th St. W., would also be closed. Three full-time employees could also lose their jobs.


Nearly 3,000 dogs and cats were euthanized in the fiscal year that ended in September 2010, Weiskopf said. About 420 were adopted out by the county in that same time.

Click here: http://aldf.org/downloads/APL6E-FL.pdf Animal Protection Laws of Florida

But that pace has spiked, and more than 560 dogs and cats have been adopted only eight months into this fiscal year, because of the new downtown facility. Weiskopf said the program is on track to adopt out a total of 800 shelter animals this year.


Manatee County Animal Services, along with several animal welfare organizations, have also been taking strides toward becoming a no-kill county.


This kind of puts a squash on that, Weiskopf said.


Denise Deisler, executive director of the Humane Society of Manatee County, said millions of dollars have been invested by the nonprofit community in programs to meet the no-kill goal.


For example, the Humane Society opened a low-cost spay and neuter clinic two years ago and has since completed 11,000 surgeries there, half at no charge.


For the commissioners to suggest the nonprofit community will just pick up the ball and run with it is ludicrous. Were throwing every resource we can at this, she said.They will see how unhappy the community will be when more animals are dying.


Commissioner Donna Hayes said her intent is not to eliminate any animal services; she suggested looking for a way to contract for the services at a lower cost instead.


However, we are in the middle of a budget period and we have to look at every way possible to save funding so we do not have to resort to any new taxes, she said.


Weiskopf said the county already transfers animals to about 60 rescue groups that handle adoptions. They are at capacity, he said. You cant give them more. Theyre doing all they can do.


Sue Kolze, vice president of the Animal Network in Ellenton, said she fears outsourcing would damage the cohesive relationships formed between county animal services and the rescue groups.


Right now, they know the rescues that take certain types of animals  different breeds, ages, medical conditions,she said. Outsourcing would disrupt the entire function and ruin all of the work weve done so far.


Animal rescue organizations took in 598 dogs and 455 cats from the county in the last fiscal year.


The current animal services budget is just over $1.5 million. About $136,000 is spent on veterinary visits, medications and other treatment to prepare animals for adoption. Three full-time employees paid an average hourly rate of $12.50 may also be laid off or have their job changed if the adoption programs are cut, Weiskopf said.


The revenue generated from adoptions would also be lost, which so far this fiscal year is nearing $40,000.


Commissioner Carol Whitmore expressed her support of the animal welfare organizations in an email. As a Commissioner that supports your missions, I am proud of all of you, she wrote. Now mobilize and have a big turnout.


 

Dear Friends of the Animals:I encourage all of us to get involved with the law-making process.  Our petitions are valuable & useful, but the muscle of all proposals resides in the law.  Please sign the petition to stop this inhumane and barbaric practice that causes suffering and allows the perpetrators to avoid hands-on responsibility and questions of conscience.  After signing the petition research your State as to what that policy & practice is; and if you don't like what your State is doing, TAKE ACTION! 
CONTACT YOUR STATE  AND LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE! TAKE ACTION!Thanking you,AnimalActionUSA
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