Helping people help pets
Taking in stray animals is not part of Kootenai Humane Society’s mission, but that doesn’t prevent a steady flow of “dump and dash” customers.
Perhaps for lack of better options, some folks drop unwanted animals at the front door before shelter staff can stop them, said executive director Phil Morgan. Despite entry gate signs that warn of legal consequences for abandoning pets, boxes of kittens and dogs tied to trees still greet shelter staff some mornings.
These actions suggest that more efforts are needed to control the animal population in this county, and Kootenai Humane Society is more than willing to help, Morgan said. But the nonprofit organization cannot do it alone and already handles a fair share of the load. Despite an “official” policy against taking in strays, that didn’t keep 727 stray animals from coming through the doors in 2007. That was the total as of November, compared to 814 strays for all of 2006. The vast majority, 562, were stray cats, which points to the biggest animal problem facing the community presently, in Morgan’s view.
“There’s a serious overpopulation issue with cats,” he said. “Dogs are less of an issue. It’s more of a retention issue (with dogs).”
Once the Coeur d’Alene shelter closed last year, calls increased to KHS from citizens requesting help with stray animals, especially cats. Contrary to common belief, Morgan said that the KHS facility is not a containment center for wayward animals.
“We’re an adoption agency, not a dog pound,” Morgan said.
Ideally, they receive pets from owners who must relinquish them, or from kill shelters, he said. Last year, 280 animals were transferred in from other shelters, and many were slated for euthanasia at Post Falls Animal Control’s shelter. KHS also transfers animals to foster homes and other rescue groups, such as those specializing in particular breeds. Animals are temperament tested and those with behavior problems may work with behaviorists to become more adoptable. As a “no-kill” facility, KHS will not euthanize due to lack of space, but may choose euthanasia for animals deemed unadoptable for behavioral or medical reasons. Three animals were euthanized for behavioral reasons this year.
Presently, KHS has a waiting list of more than 400 names of people who wish to relinquish their pets. When their turn arrives, they will be asked to contribute a $45 surrender fee.
Morgan believes it is ultimately up to local communities and their officials to find workable solutions to animal control problems. This year brought new challenges for many communities after the contract with Watson Agency ended and the Coeur d’Alene shelter – which housed many county strays – folded.
“When they closed down, everybody started struggling,” said Rathdrum police chief Kevin Fuhr.
The city of Rathdrum dealt with the void by signing a contract this fall to work collaboratively with KHS. This allows Rathdrum officers to drop off dogs at KHS where they are held for three days. If unclaimed, they are placed on the adoption list. Since KHS has a no-kill policy, Fuhr doesn’t have to worry about dogs being euthanized before owners can reunite with them.
“We know the dog is going to be dealt with appropriately,” he said.
In addition, KHS sees that every claimed animal is licensed, which helps officers if a “repeat offender” is picked up again, Fuhr said. Rathdrum officials thought about building their own shelter, but after looking at the building and maintenance costs, they preferred the arrangement with KHS. They pay $60 per dog and the animals are posted on the KHS Web site’s lost and found listing.
“I’m extremely glad we signed this contract with the Humane Society,” Fuhr said. “This is probably one of the best moves we’ve made this year.”
Morgan believes that local governments are doing their part by putting animal control on the planning table, where it needs to be.
“I’m happy it’s being recognized,” he said. “I’m sad it took so long, and now they’re addressing it and talking about it.”
He’s eager to continue partnering with county and city officials and assist in any way his organization can to find solutions. His vision for the humane society’s future is to build a new, state-of-the-art community facility that people will enjoy visiting. This would foster more adoptions and donations, create a happier environment and provide better health for the animals, he believes.
After a year and a half as the KHS director, Morgan believes things are heading in a positive direction. The daily list of catastrophes has decreased, fundraising events run more smoothly, and his worries of day-to-day management have ended, he said. He concentrates on empowering his staff to make decisions and clarifies their mission. He denies that they are an animal organization and thinks of KHS as a human service organization instead. Other services they provide include discounted adoptions for senior citizens, and programs that provide low-income customers with pet food and spay and neutering surgeries.
“We service people and their pets,” Morgan said. “We help people help the animals.”