What to do with the stray animals?

Cities are struggling with finding the dollars to pay for the resources to house and adopt out stray animals. In Keller, you will find a very cramped, crowded, tiny shelter. Officials admit it is outdated, but coming up with the money to remedy the situation is a problem.

City authorities are fairly certain that in these rough, economic times taypayers do not want to foot the bill for a new shelter -- that could stretch into the millions. Some estimate that it will cost $2 million to partner with North Richland Hills on a new shelter.

But, advocates say staying put in the small, outdated facility should also not be an option. Some say it is the animals that are getting the short end of the stick.

Comments: 2

Posted by Diane Graff at September 18, 2009 6:15 PM

There is MUCH more to this story and I only hope the citizens of Keller start inquiring with city officials. The shelter staff had a staff of supportive volunteers (free labor) who often reached out to rescue groups - helping to get animals adopted - yet the shelter Animal Control Officers didn't want to be bothered with the inbound calls generated by the pubicity. The shelter frequently received donations from citizens - and the volunteers can tell you those funds were NOT used for the animals. The shelter staff consistantly held sick or injured animals - and did not provide state required medical attention. I only hope my animals never end up at the shelter because the staff does not seem to be aware of state requirements. The shelter isn't following many of the state required laws - I wonder how they get away with that. Oh wait - they are part of the police dept.!!
The shelter had FREE labor with volunteers to help care for the animals and the facility-yet when the volunteers raised issues about not following required laws, they were quickly dismissed. It was easier to get rid of the free labor than to follow laws!
Again....this goes way beyond having a cramped small shelter. The city of Keller and the Animal Control officers just don't care. I want the citizens in our community to know it is more than getting a new building. It can be improved with what they have - but first the staff must be open to change...and they are not. Before we change the building, perhaps we need to change the people in the building!!

Posted by Christina Ryder at September 18, 2009 7:02 PM

Not having enough money for a proper shelter is not the biggest problem. I was a volunteer with the animal shelter and the problem is that whenever volunteers tried to help or improve conditions, ACO's were against everything we tried to do. Rescue organizations are not contacted, diseases break out and are not controlled, animals are kept in cramped spaces, animals are not vaccinated to stop spread of diseases, dogs are never walked. At this time, there are also no volunteers because they have either given up trying or have been fired. There are so many violations in this shelter and we have tried every avenue to try to make conditions better for them and have hit brick walls with the ACO's, the Police Dept., the mayor and the city council. They can now use the excuse that economic times are hard but this has been a below par shelter for years. The hard cold facts are, animals are not a priority in Keller and everyone should hope that their animal never gets taken there.