I didn't get a chance to count the people inside, but outside, the parking lot at Lynn and Bob’s Restaurant looked more like it was Sunday at lunchtime instead of a Tuesday night. Inside, the popular diner was crowded with people eating people food and people bringing in dog food in support of man's best friend and the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Animal Shelter. The gathering was billed as a public forum for discussion of issues dealing with shelter operations and was was sponsored by the local Humane Society, along with the help of Sister Lu's and Lynn and Bob's Restaurant and the participation of local governments. Emanuel County and the City of Swainsboro traditionally have shared responsibility for supporting the local animal shelter in a 50/50 split.
Judge Bobby Reeves left his judicial gown at home and served as the moderator of the meeting which started a little after 6 p.m. and was lively right from the start. Questions for city and county officials dealing with financial, operational and policy issues of the shelter had been submitted earlier by interested citizens. County Commission Chairman Jim Sherrod and Swainsboro Police Chief Ashly Riner fielded most of the questions. Despite instructions from the moderator to avoid anecdotal details of personal experiences with the shelter, many of those present spoke from the floor and did just that. A major portion of time was also spent discussing the number of animals that the shelter must care for. Very often, the facility is overrun with stray, abandoned, displaced, sick or injured animals that exceed the limit of the legally authorized number allowed by the State. This can result in fines imposed and the possibility of closure by the State as well as increased costs incurred by medical care, feeding, and caring expense that go far beyond the normal budget. These threats can be alleviated and completely prevented by adoptions, by voluntary rescue groups, by fostering of dogs and by charitable donations of food and money by businesses, and individuals. Unfortunately, none of this can be relied upon with certainty. In the worst situations of frequent overcrowding, the last resort available is euthanasia.
To most pet owners, that scenario is not a solution that we as a city or county want to condone. In past years, our shelter has operated for sustained periods of time as a "no kill" shelter, and it is certainly possible to do that again. For that to happen, however, will require a comprehensive refit of the operation and funding of the department of the animal shelter. It will also require a “rethinking” on the part of the public about how we perceive and deal with the responsibility of managing animals within our care. This recent meeting did not solve any issues, nor was it meant to, but it can serve as a marker for the start of a serious effort to plan for real resolution to this problem. A small working group composed of key people who are knowledgeable about the problem should be the next step in the process of outlining a comprehensive plan.
Over the years, a small number of unheralded, devoted folks in our community have struggled to shoulder this work without the serious dedication and support that is required from the rest of us. It is not an impossible task to correct that failing, but for the love of dogs, it is a mandate that is long, long past due. It’s time to act.
