PORT TOWNSEND — The dogs and cats living at the Jefferson County Animal Shelter may seem to beg visitors for release, but in many cases they are better off than at their last home.
“For many of these animals this is the best they’ve ever had,” said Paul Becker, president of the Humane Society of Jefferson County.
“They get fed, they’re warm and no one is beating them.”
The animal shelter will be under new management as of Jan. 1.
The Humane Society will manage the shelter at 112 Critter Lane while the present shelter manager, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, will focus only on animal control.
The county was paying about $220,000 a year to manage the shelter and provide animal control.
About half of that will be paid by the Humane Society beginning next year.
The idea of running the shelter outside of governmental auspice has been discussed since 2005, Jefferson County Sheriff Tony Hernandez said.
The idea has been in discussion for about three years on a serious level, he said.
“With the increase in costs, we were looking at ways to build a partnership with private enterprise to pay for some of the services that are not mandated,” Hernandez said.
“Since animal control services are mandated, we will continue with that.”
The Sheriff’s Office will still answer calls about animals which have injured people or have escaped and endangered public safety, Hernandez said.
Deputies also might intervene in cases where animals need protection, such as being in a car when the driver has been arrested, or being found in a house where someone has died, he said.
The small facility, with a capacity for 10 dogs and 18 cats, will begin operating as a nonprofit, relying on licensing and service fees as well as donations to stay open.
Becker estimates that it will cost about $100,000 a year to run the shelter, with about half originating from fees for adoption, spay and neuter, cremation and fines.
Currently, the county operates the shelter, which serves as the location for an animal control officer.
After the change, the officer will operate out of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in Port Hadlock and will respond only to calls in the unincorporated area of the county.
The city of Port Townsend plans to subcontract with the Sheriff’s Office to provide animal control within city limits, although some complaint calls will be handled by Port Townsend police, according to City Manager David Timmons.
Public support
Becker said the shelter’s successful operation will rely on public support to stay open.
About 50 people volunteer at the shelter, Becker said.
More are needed, he added.
Volunteers must be committed to working at least two hours each week for a six-month period and under go a training course.
“We want to condition the animals before they are adopted, which makes them better pets,” Becker said.
Becker is putting the final touches on a newsletter that will discuss the shelter’s plans, solicit funds, and talk about success stories.
One such story centers around a cat named Sorbet, who was found with a black nose and ears, which turned out to be gangrene.
After several operations, Sorbet is recovering and will be put up for adoption this week, Becker said.
Becker said he thinks the gangrene occurred because someone sprayed a C02 fire extinguisher in the cat’s face.
Becker said that he would like to prosecute the perpetrator, but will probably never find them.
He said that education can prevent some instances of animal cruelty.
Taking the message to elementary schools is one way this can be accomplished, he said.
The shelter now is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
After Jan. 1, it will operate from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, phone 360-385-3292.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.