In recent months several animal shelters around the state had to very quickly reduce the number of animals housed.  In each case, they notified the public of the desperate situation and promoted adoption.  And in every case, the public responded and the animals were provided new homes.

Instead of publicizing the problem and encouraging adoption as other shelters do to reduce numbers, Lumpkin County quietly and without the knowledge of the public euthanized more than 100 animals within a matter of days.

According to the now unemployed former shelter director, Valerie Dombrowski, County Manager Stan Kelley never wanted the number of euthanized animals made public.  Yet, he ordered the shelter population reduced and these animals to be euthanized.

It seems to me Lumpkin County Commissioners have turned over policy decisions to the county manager that are not in his job description.

I can appreciate the fact that commissioners enjoy dumping controversial matters onto the county manager.  It is a smooth move if the public lets them get away with it.

Reality is, the purpose of a multi-member commission is to provide public oversight of policy decisions.  Decisions about the capacity and/or size of the animal shelter should not be made behind closed doors by a county manager.

A new mission statement for the shelter is needed since the one for our shelter on http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/lumpkincountypaws.html no longer seems applicable.  Commissioners need to hear what residents of this county want the mission of our shelter to be.

When an animal is picked up by county authorities or brought in as a stray, how long should it be held before being put up for adoption or euthanized?  At the present time it is held for five days.  Is that long enough?  A three day wait is being considered.  What if you are on vacation and your pet gets away from the person keeping it?  After three to five days, you can lose all rights to your pet.

Would the public support expanding kennel space at the shelter if it was done by volunteers and their contributions?  At the present time, county policy allows no expansion.  Do the commissioners support this policy?  Do they know what’s going on at the shelter?  Do they care?

Ultimately, county policies are determined by you, the voter.  Speak up, demand a voice in decision making, or reconcile yourself to being just another sheep in the flock.

About PAWS Humane Society
The Pet Adoption and Welfare Society (PAWS), Inc. strives to improve the quality of life for pets and people in the Lumpkin County area by assisting the Lumpkin County Animal Shelter in reuniting lost pets with their owners, caring for and finding homes for stray and abandoned dogs and cats, promoting the advantages of spayed and neutered pets and educating the public on proper care and handling of animals thus reducing both the number of injuries to people and the incidents of cruelty to animals. PAWS assists the Lumpkin County Animal Shelter in the care and humane treatment of all animals brought to the shelter. Our goal is to find homes for all adoptable dogs and cats.

HB 1106, effective July1, 2010, requires animal shelters to scan for microchips before euthanasia and notify the owner.  The sad fact is that animal shelters don’t have enough space to keep the animals for very long.  Wonderful pets are euthanized every day.  The new law provides protection for the pet with a microchip.

The Lumpkin County Animal Shelter will microchip your pet for $20.00 any time during shelter hours Tuesday thru Saturday.  PAWS will provide the same service during Pet Adoptions in front of Walmart.

Pet Adoptions at Walmart will take place on June 5 and June 19 from 11:00 AM til 2:00 PM.

Following the commission vote to not approve one particular site in Yahoola Creek Park for a Dog Park, they agreed to have a committee appointed to consider proposing a site.

The motion for the vote was very strange because it limited consideration by the commissioners of any other site.  Dog park proponents had been clear that they could work with almost any area within Yahoola Creek Park.

Dog park proponents have committed to pay for all improvements to the property, to establish and enforce stringent regulations, and to manage the park with no financial support from or legal liability for the county.  They have been very clear that they would not be interested in investing in a park that is not close to downtown Dahlonega.

During the first meeting of the Blackburn Park Concept Committee, County Manager Stan Kelley stated that we needed to develop the Concept Plan to get direction for the $900,000 from SPLOST for Park & Rec.  He said, “Yahoola Creek Park is done.”  Presumably, this means that no more ball fields will be developed in Yahoola Creek Park.  If indeed, that is the case, it ought to be easy to designate an area for a dog park.

Dog Park Committee members:

Commissioner Bill Scott who bitterly opposed the dog park was selected by

Commission Chairman John Raber to chair the Dog Park Committee.

Alan Roach from the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Department

Sandy Steele, dog park member

Jane Mullinex, Wendell Caldwell, Brenda Norrell

Too bad this was scheduled as an early morning meeting.  It is important for as many people as possible to attend and find out what is going on.

USPS unveils ‘adopt a shelter pet’ commemorative stamps

USPS will unveil its “Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet” sheet of commemorative stamps March 17, kicking off a major 8-week promotion. The set features photographs of 10 shelter pets.   The stamps go on sale April 30.   “Our hope is these stamps will encourage pet adoption and promote humane and responsible pet care.” Anticipating the popularity of the series, the Postal Service has printed 300 million stamps — 15 million sheets — and is prepared to print more if 7.5 million sheets are sold by the end of May. Information on the stamps and promotion events is available on usps.com and also stamps to the rescue.com, a microsite developed to promote the stamps.

Anyone looking for a pet can find information and see pictures of pets available for adoption from the Lumpkin County Animal Shelter on this website.  Click on the dog picture. Information about even more animals is available at http://www.petfinder.com/index.html or at http://www.petango.com/lumpkincountyshelter

Only some 20 to 25% of the animals that come into our shelter are adopted.  Others are transferred to other shelters, reclaimed by their owners or euthanized.  Education about spay/neuter is the only way we will be able to reduce the numbers of unwanted pets.

Advantages of protecting your pets by spay/neuter

Spay and neuter are safe and painless operations when done by a licensed veterinarian.  PAWS and the Lumpkin County Animal Shelter can provide information on veterinarians that perform the procedure at reduced rates.  If you need help, call 706-867-7297.

Spaying virtually eliminates the development of breast or uterine cancer in female pets.  Males that are neutered avoid the dangers encountered by roaming as well as development of health issues.

Responsible pet ownership means ensuring your pet is not part of the uncontrolled breeding that results in more than 6 million dogs and cats being euthanized each year in our Nation’s shelters.

Education efforts

PAWS volunteers are available to present information about responsible pet ownership in schools or for any group.  To arrange a presentation, call 706-867-7297.

Students and others learn about animals and  the shelter when they volunteer.  There are many ways to help including  playing with cats and walking the dogs.  Time spent in the shelter is a great benefit to both the volunteers and the animals.

Later this month, a Girl Scout Troup will visit the shelter.  This will be a great learning experience for them.  We’re looking forward to it and we hope they are.

Our fundraisers:

• PAWS t-shirts can be purchased for $15.00.

• Walk for Daniel’s Feet –Saturday March 27, 2010

You and your dog will have an opportunity to help raise money for PAWS.  Registration begins at 10:30 in the parking lot of Dahlonega Methodist Church (across from the Smith House).  The walk will be through and around the Square from 11:00 12:00.  Free food at the end.

Walkers who have raised a minimum $25 donation will receive a Daniel’s Feet t-shirt.

For more information:  Mike McCormack, 706-864-4149, pastermccormack@hotmail.com

Join PAWS:

One of the best ways to directly help the animals is by joining PAWS Humane Society.  Our dues and donations provide support for the county shelter.  Dues are:  adult $25, student $10, family $35, supporting $50, patron, $100, golden $500.

PAWS is a 501 (c ) (3).  All gifts and donations are tax deductible.  Please make checks payable to PAWS Humane Society and mail to 130 Dogwood Court, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533.

The public was allowed to state whether they supported or opposed the statement.  Additional comments were welcomed during a second round of questioning.

Almost everyone in the room spoke up in support of the dog park in Yahoola Creek Park.

Three attendees stated some opposition.  One fellow doesn’t understand that a dog park would not take away anything from the ball parks.  Shockingly, the other two were veterans who opposed the dog park because they don’t think the county does enough for veterans.  Their position was clearly not the position of all veterans since many who spoke in favor of the dog park were also veterans.  I have been told that one of the gentlemen said after the meeting that he did not really oppose the dog park, he just wanted more county support for veterans.

There seems to be little opposition from the public to a dog park within the Yahoola Creek Park complex.  One resident who did not attend the meeting tells me that they drive down to Windward Parkway to allow their dog to play with other dogs.  She talked about the importance of socialization for the dogs and the joy good dogs bring to their families.

The dog park was not addressed during the December BOC meeting.  Anyone feeling very strongly about the dog park should contact commissioners as soon as possible.  Never underestimate your ability to make a difference.

Dog Park supporters have worked for some two years on this project.  They submitted a petition of more than 1000 names of persons who support it.

No county funds would be spent on the Dog Park.  Volunteers will be responsible for installing a fence, landscaping, maintenance and policing.  There will be no greater liability for the county in this area than in any other area of the park.  No long term commitment on use of the property is being requested.

Dog parks are not just for dogs.  They offer a place for dogs to run off leash and exercise while their owners enjoy the company of other log lovers.  Folks who don’t have their own dogs have an opportunity to enjoy the company of these friendly pets.

Dog parks are considered an enhancement for tourism.  Many people travel with their pets and seek out places that provide a place for pets to unwind.

Attend the Public Hearing if you can.  Commissioners need to know who supports the Dog Park.

This is to advise that on Aug. 17, 2009, in the Green Drive area in North Hall, there was contact between a skunk and three dogs. The skunk was shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab – Virology Section in Decatur on Aug. 18. On Aug. 19, the Gainesville-Hall Animal Control Department was advised that the skunk was positive for rabies.

Hall County, Georgia