Officials hope to cut back on euthanasia at animal shelter

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By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 18, 2008 at 6:18 PM EST

Story Updated: May 18, 2008 at 6:21 PM EST

VALPARAISO (AP) — The Porter County Animal Shelter euthanized nearly 1,100 animals last year, a figure county officials hope to reduce.

The shelter's annual report said 1,081 animals, or 37 percent of the almost 3,000 handled, were euthanized in 2007.

A lack of funding, shelter space and staff contributed to the high euthanization rate, said the shelter's previous director, Jenniffer Pierce.

"There's no way when you get 20 to 30 cats a day, the few volunteers we have can spend the necessary months working with the ones who are vicious or aggressive," she said.

But Porter County Commissioner Bob Harper believes a mind-set that doesn't focus enough on adoptions and new programs also plays a role.

"It starts with an attitude change first," he said. "They think they can't do animal control and promote adoptions. It's not one or the other."

Harper said the county can do several things to lower the rate. His ideas include extending the shelter's hours, working more to promote adoptable animals and starting a program that neuters feral cats and sends them to live on farms.

The Board of Commissioners recently passed an ordinance granting it complete control of the animal shelter. Commissioners now have the final say over the shelter's policies, budget and employees.

___

Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com

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