In 2014, the Person Co pound in NC took in nearly 1800 dogs and cats, killing 62% of them. The county’s website provides a link to Petfinder to see adoptable animals. Today on Petfinder, Person Co has 11 animals listed. They’re doing the best they can, probably.
Or not.
Twice in recent days, representatives from the NC Department of Agriculture, which oversees animal shelters in the state, called the Person Co pound manager who they say admitted that the pound does not provide veterinary care to its animals nor does it hold them for at least 72 hours before killing – both of which constitute violations of state law. The representatives apparently asked the manager if at any point she might like to try following the law and doing her job which, based upon the warning letter from the state, she appears to have nah’d:
PCAS’ shelter manager has stated her intention to willfully disregard or violate [both provisions of state law] in the future.
Wow. I’ve heard of being confident in your feeling of job security but this is extraordinary. I really want to try this “conflict resolution” approach on my boss but I’m hoping one of you will try it first and let me know how it goes.
According to notes taken by the Department of Agriculture, Kellie Oakley with Person County Animal Services said, “The shelter does not provide veterinary care. If the animal is not going to a rescue, it is euthanized.”
But how do you know a rescue isn’t going to pull the animal if you aren’t even waiting the 72 hours mandated by the state? Oh right, because nobody rescues dead animals. I see what you did there. Another victory for the Cats Don’t Need Holding Periods crowd, I guess.
The state has given the Person Co pound 14 days to bring its written protocols and practices into compliance with the law. If the pound fails to comply, disciplinary action may be taken which might include the suspension or revocation of the pound’s license to operate. The animals should be so lucky.
(Thanks Clarice for the link.)