LETTER: One shelter better than two

To the Telegram:

As president of the Humane Society of Douglas County, I want to update you about our efforts to partner with Douglas County, the city of Superior and Animal Allies Humane Society to build an animal shelter to serve the animals and citizens of Douglas County.

Our efforts began four years ago when the city of Superior determined a new animal shelter was needed for its residents. The Humane Society of the United States worked with our three local animal shelters, operated by Animal Allies, Animal Rescue Federation, and Humane Society of Douglas County, the City of Superior, and Douglas County to develop recommendations for our community’s animal control needs. The recommendation was to build one shelter to serve the city of Superior and Douglas County with ARF and the humane society merging with Animal Allies. That one entity, with all its expertise and resources, could serve the area.

ARF successfully merged with Animal Allies in December 2011 and Animal Allies was contracted by the city to run its current shelter while the new facility was being built.

HSDC planned to remain open until the new shelter was completed.

We believe the best thing for the homeless, lost and abandoned animals, and the community of Douglas County is to have one animal shelter, fiscally and morally.

Annual expenses for the humane society are roughly $110,000 and have been paid through adoptions, memberships, fundraisers, and donations.

Much needed major repairs including a new roof, updated septic system and air exchange system to the humane society building were put on hold while we worked to be part of the proposed new facility.

The humane society board of directors believes it would be a grave disservice and financial burden to the community to support two animal shelters.

Despite years of meetings, the city of Superior and Douglas County have not been able to reach an agreement on the shared capital investment and operating costs. With this stalemate, the city of Superior is looking at building a new city-only animal shelter less than two miles from the humane society. The animals the human society cares for would not be included in the new facility.

The City Council will be voting at their Feb. 12 meeting to move forward with the facility. At present, the city-only shelter that would be built will not accommodate animals from the county.

We need your help! We believe best thing for all animals and the community of Douglas County is to have one animal shelter. Contact your town, village, city and county officials to tell them that you want to see one shelter that can serve the animals and citizens of Douglas County and the city of Superior.

Michelle Porter,

Humane Society of Douglas County Inc.

Editor’s note: This letter was addressed to Douglas County towns and villages, the city of Superior and council members, and supporters of the Humane Society of Douglas County.

Tags: letters, opinion