|
| Suggested improvements for Montcalm County Animal Shelter | Dr. Wendy Swift's proposals to improve the Montcalm County Animal Shelter include the following:
• Install a new computer system.
• Develop and implement a mission statement. "The community is currently unclear of the shelter's role in the community because of the controversy with euthanasia practices and pound seizure," Swift said.
• Make the kennel environment more pleasing to the animals, including playing music and providing a blanket and toy for each. "The environment is devoid of comforts for the dogs in the kennel area," Swift said. "Most animals, when they're in your care, they can go kennel crazy in 24 hours."
• Replace the spigot watering system with trays that clamp onto each animal's cage. "I have a feeling that if some of those spigots were not working then those dogs were drinking off the floor," Swift said. "Since you're cleaning the floors with bleach they could be licking that up too and get more dehydrated."
• Improve employee training in identifying dogs by sex and breed.
• Create a new kennel technician position to provide for one employee who oversees all operations in the shelter and would get to know the animals better so they could help more with adoptions.
• Using a microchip scanner to see if animals have chips implanted in them with identifying information. "That would prevent any microchipped animals from getting euthanized or sent elsewhere," Swift said. "If you euthanize someone's pet that would be a public relations nightmare."
• Building an outdoor dog run for staff members to take the dogs while the kennel area is being cleaned and for members of the public to see dogs they may want to adopt.
• Install more standardized signage inside the building.
• Install more signage to help the public find the shelter. "The shelter is very difficult to locate," Swift said. "You cannot locate it using directional finding devices."
• Secure a safe to the floor that would hold euthanizing drugs, which can be popular targets for drug abusers to steal.
• Add onto the lobby area to make it more user-friendly and inviting.
• Build new meet-and-greet rooms for people to spend time with animals they are considering for adoption.
• Begin providing basic medical care and vaccinations at the facility.
• Dispose of a set of "cat tongs" that could break a cat's neck while it is being moved.
• Train employees to communicate with the community and rescue groups better.
|
|
2/26/2009 10:55:00 AM
Shelter gets failing marks from Kent County official
Ryan Jeltema
News Editor
STANTON - While not the worst she's seen, Dr. Wendy Swift believes the Montcalm County Animal Shelter is in dire need of improvement.
After touring the Stanton shelter Feb. 18, the Humane Society of Kent County's medical director graded the Stanton shelter a 2 out of 5 during her hourlong assessment at Wednesday's animal shelter ad hoc committee meeting.
Swift said the county likely needs to spend about $150,000 to bring the facility up to code and meet animals' basic needs.
"You're definitely not the worst I've seen but you're below average right now," Swift told the committee. "You have some compliance issues."
She said the facility most desperately needs an upgraded computer system to better track animals in the shelter and provide better statistical data. Swift said the shelter still is utilizing an outdated and inefficient paper record keeping system, which she blamed for animals that aren't accounted for - including 37 last June.
Swift also pointed out that the shelter's size is inadequate for the number of animals kept there. She proposed not allowing cats into the shelter and transforming the existing cat room into more space to house dogs.
"Your building is just not designed to house all those animals in that facility and properly care for them," Swift said. "You've got to euthanize a whole bunch of animals or stop taking as many animals. You could send more to pound seizure but I know that's a tough subject for all of you."
She said rescue groups are available to help eliminate the shelter's cat population without euthanizing all of them.
In addition, Swift pointed out that much better employee training is needed, especially with cleaning and disinfecting the facility. She said the Montcalm County Jail inmate work crews that mix a bleach solution used to clean the floor aren't properly trained in how much bleach to use, which violates state regulations.
"It's disheartening to think that somebody could be putting 50-50 bleach mixture on a dog," Swift said. "But inmates just aren't trained to do that."
She said a lack of separation between the kennels potentially allows diseases to spread easily.
Jeanne Urbanski of Coral, a member of the Concerned Citizens Coalition of Montcalm, said Swift's report shows the shelter needs attention and citizens groups stand ready to help if the county ends a controversial contract with R&R Research in Howard City, which allows the company to take live animals from the shelter and sell them for medical research.
The process is often referred to as pound seizure.
"It just goes to show what happens to any facility when it goes 30 years with no improvement," Urbanski said. "There's support to make our shelter a better place. I hope our commissioners will get rid of the things that brought us here, which are euthanasia in a barrel and pound seizure.
"We have a golden opportunity to turn things around," she said. "The people that are here are here because they care."
Committee member Fran Schuleit of Greenville said Swift's presentation was valuable as she and other committee members contemplate policy and procedure changes for the shelter. A subcommittee was supposed to outline a set of proposed policies and procedures March 11 but that will be delayed.
"We have a lot of recommendations and a lot of work to do," Schuleit said. "There's a lot of policy development that needs to be done."
Instead the committee will continue discussing the future of the R&R Research contract at the next meeting at 3:30 p.m. March 11. The committee now will meet every other Wednesday.
|
Posted: Saturday, March 07, 2009
Article comment by:
Adrienne Spears
Here's the way I see it. Once you get rid of R&R you'll have more Animal Groups interested in donating money to your shelter for improvements. You'll get more people wanting to volunteer. As it is who wants to volunteer only to watch this monster walk out with animals he treats so badly and then passes on to have experimented on. $150,000 is a lot of money, especially in these hard times, but when a community really comes together they could raise it. Bake sales, dog walk a thons, pet days, dog wash's. We did something similar in Florida for our local shelter and raised 3 times what your shelter needs, but I wouldn't put any effort into organizing anything until R&R is out of the picture along with the CO2 barrel. It's time for Montcalm County to catch up with the times. There's more humane ways to euthanize animals and the barrel and Mr Woudenberg is not the way! I volunteer with Lake Haven, and I will guarantee Ms Sova that our dogs and cats get 100 times better care than ANY animal in the Montcalm County shelter and 1000 times better care than any animal in R&R's possession. Our animals get bowls to drink out of, they're never left all wet, they have beds, blankets, toys, they go to vets when they need to, they receive prompt medical attention, they get socialization and compassion, we know where every single ONE is at all times no matter how many we have. That's the care rescues get. Like so many have said before, the shelter needs to WORK with the rescues we're here to help. We're trying to cut back on the number of dead animals in your county. For animal "lovers" wouldn't you want that?
Posted: Friday, March 06, 2009
Article comment by:
Michelle Dalton
Let's start from scratch. Can the commissioners, fire the shelter staff, and get some people that PUT THE ANIMALS FIRST!
Posted: Monday, March 02, 2009
Article comment by:
You Scared of 1st amendment?
I don't understand why the newpaper is protecting the shelter, or R&R and why noone ELSE but them are allowed free speech?
I posted about the shelter knowing full well about a PARVO outbreak and they REFUSE to get FREE help that was offered to them to clean up their act...why isn't that printed?
Posted: Sunday, March 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Rescuer
Mrs. Sova...I am completely irritated by your remarks AGAINST rescues...we are your FRIEND...we find these dogs LOVING homes before you SHIP THEM OFF TO LABS...you also lie to people whenever they ask a simple question like "was xyz adopted or rescued or euthanized" you will say what ever you think will get you "off the hook" and it is ridiculous. We are on your side here, we are trying to get these dogs to safety out of the parvo infested areas, and into clean environments with loving arms. Now you have received numerous offers of help to sterilize your facility to prevent the spread of parvo that has been confirmed, NOT RUMORED and yet you have not taken up on that offer for free help??? what is the excuse there? It only leads us to believe your loyalty lies not with the animals you are suppose to protect but in R&R whom can take them off your hands fast. Straighten up and start telling the truth and the relationship between the shelter employees and the public would be much easier!
Posted: Sunday, March 01, 2009
Article comment by:
DJ Freeman
I do want to give kudos to the shelter workers who have been very cooperative with my group, especially Ms.Sova. I know there is a long history of strife between the shelter and the rescues, but lets all try to keep our best foot forward to build a new foundation. One day (hopefully soon) we are all going to be on the same team!
Posted: Sunday, March 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Clean up the Mess
The shelter is dirty. How can it not be? It is antiquated and has had few improvements since it was built. It is difficult to clean, however, it is obvious that training given to those who do the cleaning is inadequate. Dogs are often wet. Who is responsible for training the cleaning people? Would that be the animal control director? Were Ms. and Mrs.Sova trained in proper cleaning techniques at their $400 Grand Valley animal control class? If so, start using your knowledge and clean the place up. If the spigots are going to be used, take them apart and clean them daily. If you can't do that, turn off the water supply to them and start using clean buckets or bowls for water. There are no shoe sanitizing containers in place for staff or visitors. No spray bottles of bleach to help prevent spread of disease/parasites from shelter to home. If these two simple items are not in the budget then buy them yourselves or ask a rescue to purchase them for you. Rescues appear to be viewed as THE ENEMY. Numerous rescues have complained that they cannot get a straight answer from shelter workers about availability of animals. Animosity towards rescues by certain employees is obvious. Rescues have worked tirelessly to find good homes for Montcalm animals for a very long time. They do this at a big expense, monetarily as well as emotionally. Shelter staff needs to start working with them as allies and not treating them like the enemy.
Posted: Sunday, March 01, 2009
Article comment by:
Jeanne Urbanski
Mrs. Sova, My husband and I donated the Kuranda beds to the Montcalm County Animal shelter. You said we must have felt "snubbed" when the beds were not being used. The beds were donated to the shelter for the comfort of the dogs. Hundres of shelters cross the country want Kuranda beds....just look at their website for the wish list. Terri Layman had only four beds in use on the day we took out 20 of the beds (with the sheriff and under sheriff present). These beds are now at the Ionia County Animal Shelter and they are all being used. As far as the legs splintering, the shelter was informed that Kuranda had a bad batch of legs and would replace all of them free of charge. All they had to do was call Kuranda for replacements. Did anyone bother to call? I doubt it, as it was too much work. Ms. Layman commented to us that it was to much trouble picking up the beds and putting them back down after cleaning. No Mrs. Sova, we did not feel snubbed, we were, however, very happy that so many of the dogs in Ionia have enjoyed their new beds.
Dr. Wendy Swift of the Kent County Humane Society did a thorough assessment of the Montcalm Animal Shelter. Dr. Swift had nothing to gain by doing an assessment. She is a qualified veterinarian and shelter medical director at KCHS in Grand Rapids. Are you saying that she lied about her findings? The 37 animals unaccounted for happened after the new director started, so your comment about feeling confident that there will be no "unaccounted" animals under the new director's watch does not appear to be entirely accurate.
The shelter is in dire need of repairs. It has gone way to long for minor fix-ups. This will cost money. There are groups who are willing to raise money to help the shelter, but not as long as euthanasia in the CO2 barrel continues or as long as the class b dealer is involved in our county shelter. The shelter staff is going to have to "kick it up a notch" in their professionalism as well. It would also be nice if they understood that they are working for the public and being paid by tax dollars. A number of things are wrong at the shelter that can not be fixed with money. Proper cleaning and sanitation methods have to be utilized. Why aren't the "trustees" being trained properly? Or why aren't shelter workers doing the cleaning that is part of their job description? Rescues have complained for over one year about lack of kennel cards being with every dog. Dogs and cats were found to be identified incorrectly as far as breed, color and even the sex of the animal. No amount of money is going to correct those errors. The idea of dogs being soaked with water while their kennels are being cleaned is sickening. Three people reported seeing wet dogs on Friday alone.
Yes, the shelter has many, many problems and they didn't start over night. They won't be fixed overnight either, but they cannot be allowed to continue. How about looking at the October 2008 Michigan Department of Agriculture Inspection Report. How many of those "unsatifactory" items have been addressed?
You say it would be nice to have a low cost vet or facility in our area. How about getting involved to make it happen? You want some low cost spay/neuters? Ask the commissioners to use some of the unclaimed spay/neuter deposit money to sponser a low cost spay/neuter day. Do something to help raise funds to assist others in paying for spay/neuter.
How much of the controversy and misinformation has been started by the shelter workers? It is not just the "marginally informed" citizens who speak half-truths or make innuendos.
Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Brenda Sova
Hello everyone. To begin with, I just want to say that I believe that the current director is doing the best she can with the resources available.
I'm sure that most of us can imagine what a challenge it would be to take on a job surrounded by so much controversy, bad publicity and misinformation.
It's disheartening to see so many people continue to spread some pretty ridiculous rumors such as: holes punched in water bowls to prevent volunteers from watering the animals, animals being sold by shelter (getting rich!) to R & R Research, no toys or blankets in kennels, shelter is dirty and the donated beds aren't being used.
As far as the ridiculous rumors - yes, some bowls do have holes in them. These are the food bowls. The purpose of the holes is to keep the food bowls separate from the water bowls. If an animal doesn't seem to know how to use the spigot (they do work, but 2 of them leak a little), it is shown to them and if this doesn't work a bowl of water will be given. Also, the shelter does not sell animals to R & R. As for the dog bed issue, the dog bed legs are made of PVC and some dogs chewed on the legs causing them to shatter into dangerous splinters similar to glass! Most of the beds were taken back by the donors because they apparently felt snubbed when they didn't see the beds being used (what's up with that?)
As far as toys and blankets being used, they are used regularly and may not have been in place at the time of the brief evaluation.
While I do understand the frustration of those of you who have been trying to eliminate the R & R contract, etc.. I also understand the frustrations of the current staff when they have to spend valuable time dispelling constant (and sometimes bizarre) rumors or just plain lies that have them defending their every move.
Just in case you're wondering, I am a shelter volunteer and certified ACO. A close family member is also an ACO. I am also a pet owner with a small farm. Even though I haven't been around the shelter as long as some people, I can say that new policies have and are being implemented, and hopefully money will soon be available to upgrade at least some parts of the facility.
As a volunteer I help clean, walk dogs, wash bowls, feed and water cats and dogs, provide blankets, toys and treats. I do not have access to personnel files, adoption records,licensing information, etc. I believe that this information should remain off-limits to the general public as well as volunteer workers. (The lack of privacy for staff and the public was addressed by the inspector) I have never seen the shelter in "filthy" condition and I feel confident that there will be no "unaccounted" for animals under the new director's watch.
Regarding the snide comments made on the internet recently regarding the director's delay in acting upon the inspection, the director has quite alot more responsibility than a shelter helper, and I fail to see the comparison. Also, no amount of bitter and insulting comment is going to help facilitate improvement.
Obviously, one of our biggest problems in this County is the lack of spaying/neutering. In speaking with friends and relatives, it seems to be mostly an issue of money and sometimes finding the time. And of course, some people just don't care. It sure would be nice to have a low cost or income-based facility or vet in our area, not only for spay/neuter but for animal care at the shelter. Pipe dream?
By the way, who keeps track of the care given to "rescued" dogs and cats? Just curious.
Brenda
Posted: Saturday, February 28, 2009
Article comment by:
Montcalm County Resident
She cant make these changes because she is involved in a court case?? What is she doing? Whenever I go there she is sitting at her desk or on "personal calls" . I bet you she couldnt even tell you what dogs were from the court case.Its time she starts earning the money she is getting. How sad that she is getting paid what she is and wont even get up and do ANYTHING for the animals.
Posted: Friday, February 27, 2009
Article comment by:
Polly Grunfeld Sack, Esq.
These findings are horrendous but they serve to support what the vocal majority has been saying all along. Changes need to be made in the Montcalm County Animal Shelter. The citizens are clamoring for it, and it looks like several laws being broken also require it. A governmental service or function does not have a "free pass" to mistreat and neglect animals. It is beyond comprehension that, when hearing that 37 dogs were unaccounted for, the R&R contract was not cancelled on the spot. The taxpayers are funding a county animal shelter. What they are getting is a below standard facility with zero accountability that serves as a supply house for R&R's profit making enterprise.
|
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
