Springfield is planning a new 3000 sq. ft. animal control facility with the goal of it becoming a "no kill" shelter. According to Chief Thompson no new staff will be hired and operation of the facility when officers are out on “control duty” will be handled by volunteers. Has any thought been given to the liability of the city depending on volunteers in an environment teeming with possible injuries?
Like Springfield, the facility in Greenbrier and the one on W. County Farm Road operated by the county are minimally staffed, minimally funded, and all three are no more than 10 minutes from each other.
What a perfect opportunity to merge the resources and the staffs of these three animal control facilities and have one great facility with an adequate staff. It won’t be easy. It will take three agencies and the governments of the county and two municipalities working together but it could be done if focus is kept on the goal and not on each hurdle.
Please sign this petition because as plans for the new facility stand now, it's going to be a beautifully wrapped package that when opened turns out to be a gag gift.