Animal shelter to require spaying, neutering

as printed in the Galveston Daily News
by Anthony Jones
May 26, 2005

La Marque -  The county animal shelter will review its fee schedule and would soon require spaying and neutering of all animals that are adopted from there, said Michele Reynolds, the animal services manager, during a “summit” Wednesday at the Wayne A. Johnson Community Center.

Much of the meeting was devoted to changes already made at the shelter. Karen Temple, a Lake Jackson resident, called the changes remarkable.“It’s much easier to deal with them now,” said Temple.

Galveston County Precinct 3 Commissioner Stephen Holmes told about 60 residents that issues raised at a meeting last year have brought about numerous changes in the animal services department. Those included staffing, training, the shelter upgrade, collaboration with outside groups and finances.

Ronnie Schultz, the county’s director of environmental health programs, gave details about the past year’s improvements and asked for more resident input for the upcoming year.

“We received a grant through the United Way that helped with volunteers,” said Schultz. “We’ve been able to retain our staff — now we can compete dollar-wise.” “The county actually increased our budget this year,” Schultz said. “They gave us $40,000 in additional monies — that means that we can follow through on those upgrades.”  With the funding, animal services was able to increase its officers’ and some technicians’ salaries. 

A new telephone system was installed — an improved multiline system along with a receptionist. The shelter’s computer system was also improved with the additional funds and the staff is currently awaiting new software that will aid in digital photo processing and animal tracking. The floors in the shelter were sealed to help with odor control and limit disease transmission. Outdoor dog pens and even cat condos were added to the facility. Air conditioning was also replaced. 

“We’ve increased our collaborations with resident groups. I think that we work with just about every rescue group that’s around,” said Schultz.“ I’ve never seen a more hard-working group,” said Shultz, referring to volunteers with Friends of the Galveston County Animal Shelter. “They buy vaccinations for us, wormer, mother’s replacement milk, antibiotics, and the list goes on,” said Schultz.

Reynolds told the group about plans for the future that include opening volunteer opportunities for 12- to 16-year-old students as well as a Hurricane 100 Club, members of which would agree to take an animal or two during a hurricane evacuation.

Animal control officers will also be equipped with digital cameras to provide evidence in animal cruelty cases.   

Read the press release

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org