Roanoke Regional Pound is on its own; Botetourt officials weigh in
Cats were euthanized most frequently at the contracted RCACP. Hopefully better days for adoption are ahead.
“Pure and simple, we need a place to take animals and this controversy had drawn on too long,” said Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle who has four Animal Control officers on the road in Botetourt County. He was pleased with the decision for the SPCA and Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection or plainly called “the pound” to operate separately on Baldwin Avenue in Roanoke City. Botetourt County, Roanoke City, Roanoke County and the Town of Vinton built the building and funded it with SPCA contracted management.
Recent events in the summer brought to light allegations and factual information about kill rates at the pound under SPCA management. Botetourt County was contributing over $100,000 annually to the regional animal control center under SPCA management.
Yesterday, Nov. 1, the SPCA ended the affiliation. Commonwealth’s Attorney Joel Branscom said of the situation, “Ultimately no man can serve two masters. Both entities will be better off and the animals and the money we contribute to the pound will be used the way we (localities) intend. Hopefully they will be able to co exist beside each other on friendly terms.”
County Administrator Kathleen Guzi described what happens next. “As I understand we are coming off really several years of issues and concerns with the existing arrangement to contract services with the SPCA. Now these will be totally different operations. The localities felt things had changed enough to pursue alternate arrangements. It is time we take ownership.”
Guzi continued, “The four localities’ administrators and managers will form an Executive Committee to hire a manager for the pound.” (Also called Regional Center for Animal Control and Protection or RCACP.) Until then, they will oversee the operations. “The current advisory board is trying to develop policy for the newly independent agency. We are also looking at best practices management for pounds and other animal shelters through out the state.” Ultimately she says the four localities hope they can work to become a no kill shelter.
The Board of Supervisors fund the pound by majority vote. This summer two of the five weighed in about the situation. Blue Ridge Supervisor Billy Martin and Valley Supervisor Mac Scothorn had been an outspoken about their feelings that the operation had to change.
Martin said this morning after the end of the relationship between the pound and the SPCA, “I am so happy that the decision was made to break away from the SPCA in order to protect these animals. They have no one to speak up for them and I think it is shame to be able to kill these animals at someone’s discretion. This will give many dogs and cats an opportunity to live their life at in a loving home.”
Scothorn at his office this afternoon said, ” It was time to change. You have to make sure the public funding is going to serve what it is supposed to serve. There were questions about that and it has even more implication. Thousands of animals were euthanized, most with no opportunity for adoption. It’s over now. We need as communities to move forward and make this an exceptional regional animal pound.”
November 2, 2012 - 3:51 PM
WELL, now do either of you think that the fact Mr. Norman Mason,financier for Harmony Sanctuary (which is located physcially within the boundaries Mr. Martin represents politically) as well as Angels of has influenced YOUR opinions. NO where else has any municipal manager or politician indicated that the words NO KILL were in the near or distant future of the “pound’s horizon”,even though that goal is a noble one. ISSUE: IF THE 4 municipalities had wanted to FUND for a separate executive director, more kennel staff(full and parttime), an adoption counselor and a Part/full time VET WHY have they NOT done so…the minutes of the Advisory committee show clearly that some of these requests HAVE BEEN MADE in budgetary requests year after year> SO gentlemen what sayeth YE, as to exactly who is gonna pay HOW MUCH for these additional staff. I would agree. IT IS PAST TIME FOR THE MUNICIPALITIES TO “Man UP” and face the realistic financial obligations of operating a MORE Humane Pound. This is NOT to say that those who cared for thousands of animals have not diligently and with great dedication, committment and care have done their very best. I AM IN THE GROUP that sides with Blaming the MUNICIPALITIES NOT the SPCA and the dedicated volunteers and staff that have served this community and its unwanted animals with devotion. SO QUIT BLAMING the good guys. okay?
We has 1 dog an 1 kitten. We got them both from a nahbor friend. We dont know about this pound. But we belive that most people are good worikers in the pound. Why could they be ther any other rason? We think that money is a big deal for takin care of this animels. So get mor for all of them.
Martin does not represent the district where Harmony Farm is located. Time will determine the details of where this story goes next as far as operation and financial obligation on the part of the localities and the pound.
Bubba’s mom – you clearly do not know what you are talking about.
The SPCA oversaw all operations of the pound, decided who and when to euthanize, and kept saying everything was fine there and that anyone opposed was just a zealot. You are clearly in the pocked of a certain person, and spout nonsense. Educate yourself on the facts and stop making a fool of yourself. The owner of ACS is the one responsible, and if you know anything about the situation, you know who I am talking about.
I must confess confusion on this issue. I have no time to pick the threads of the political implications of killing animals but I thought the SPCA were the “Good Guys”. I have been giving donations to the National SPCA for years. I admit my information about their work comes largely from watching “The Animal Planet” but now I don’t know who’s killing the kitties and pooches. It seems to me the locals want to blame the SPCA because of the heat on the issue but have no earthly idea nor intentions of putting their collective “money where their mouths” publically venture. HELP.
Hi Mariam, The national organization has nothing to do with local SPCA’s. Those are all separate entities from the National ASCPA.
The local SPCA here shared an executive director with the RCACP, and their focus was clearly the SPCA and not the animals in need at the RCACP. The local SPCA does do some very good work- like the recent opening of the Mountain View Spay and Neuter clinics, and I think the split will allow each entity to focus on their very different needs which should only benefit the dogs and cats at both locations
We is not as good at this but we think thet the lade Mariam Jensen talks and writs the best. We vote for her.
Please remember reader expressed opinion is that exactly– opinion on what lead up to this. The fact is the two entities parted ways last Thursday. Whatever happened in the past– is over– and the two entities the SPCA and RCACP will move in different directions now. Time to focus on the welfare of animals at each place. Moving on.
p.s. There are lots of folks who volunteer at the RCACP, and who are very involved behind the scenes that have all the facts and have every intention of stepping up to do the right thing. These are the folks that work tirelessly to walk dogs at the RCACP, foster, transport, network and contribute greatly to the live release rate of animals currently. I would not bash the folks who have worked so hard for change until you know all the facts
AMEN Florian and Cathy Benson: I believe that everyone should be relieved that the SPCA and Pound organizations have split. In my view it was an onerous and terribly underfunded Regional Pound. In addressing the small group gathered for the “new release” of the split, Chris Morrill, city manager specifically emphasized in response to questions from news representatives that the emphasis going forward would be on animal control enforcement,increased adoptions , and spay and neuter programs. He specifically declined in response to news media questioning to call the new effort at the pound a NO KILL facility. Rather the emphasis would be on increasing adoption programs at the pound.
When asked by news media Mr. Morill also indicated it was certainly going to cost more money to operate the pound which currently has only ONE full time employee. Going forward he referred to at least a part time vet as well as the independent Executive Director for the Pound.
THUS, in my view money , that is the lack of sufficient money, has been an ongoing thorn in the day to day operation of the pound…and would have been a significant issue for ANY other group trying to run the regional pound.
However, going forward the future looks very bright for that increased funding to provide a vet for pound animals. IT IS very difficult to accept that the Regional pound for 4 municipalities has not had a vet of its’ own…and that is a Municipality funding issue well documented in Advisory Committee to the Pounds annual budget requests to the municipalities. Ain’t nothing foolish about those minutes.
But good things are on the horizons for the pound and its dedicated staff and volunteers coming into the New Year. Thank you Florian for acknowledging their efforts.
I do want to make one last comment before moving on into a more positive future: and this is it: some local news reporters contributed to the stirring up of anger and hatred in this community leading to death threats and the temporary closing of the SPCA. I think it is very important that everyone listen very carefully to the “content” of the news, and attempt to filter what is actually a fact, versus, inference, opinion,innuendo ,exagerated/onesided presentation of alleged “facts”, unsubstantiated “sources”. Example: recently one news forecaster indicated that the “audit of the SPCA was as thick as 2 Large telephone directories.” Further this same new reported said that the “split between the SPCA and the Municipalities at the pound was a RESULT OF the financial audits”.This is absolutely preposterous. Eventually, that audit as well as the investigation into the injured dog Trinity will become public. Too bad that was not accomplished this week prior to the “news release” on the SPCA and Municipalities going separate ways. If the results of those two investigations could have been disclosed, one way or the other, then many folks in this community would NOT be left wondering what the TRUTH is. In short, in order to move forward, the results of those two investigations NEED TO BE MADE public ASAP, so that Closure on all of these outstanding allegations and issues can be reached. One way or the other…which ever way the chips may fall, the results of those investigations MUST be made public. The sooner the better.
PS: Florian: I am NOT now, and NEVER have been in “the pocket” of anyone.Try another way.