Augusta pet shelter working on a plan to cut its kill rate
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - After being called out last week for having the highest kill rate in the state, the Augusta animal shelter wants to change.
It’s developing an immediate action plan to address the high euthanasia numbers, Augusta Commission learned at Tuesday’s meeting.
With the kill rate so high, Best Friends Animal Society has been offering to come in and help with a program it’s valuing around $1 million, including bringing in a veterinarian, which the shelter doesn’t have.
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However, the city bristled at Best Friends’ plan because of one of the strings attached – that the group would have its own staff embedded in the shelter.
Despite the response it got last week, Best Friends said the offer stands, and it returned before the commission Tuesday with at least a dozen representatives.
The commission still turned down Best Friends, but told the group to come back in 30 days.
City leaders say they still want to develop a collaborative plan with the group, but they need some time to work out the kinks.
Commissioner Sean Franton said there must be some change when it comes to the euthanasia numbers, citing the success in Aiken with Friends of the Animal Shelter.
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“My little buddy, I mean this dog had so much affection,” Tracy Luyster said. “He would literally sit with me and he would just hug you.” Now Ace is gone.
“It’s time to change our mindset,” he said, adding that city officials have made it appear that they don’t want help.
“The ways of the past won’t be the ways of the future,” he said. “I’m concerned about the legalities of Best Friends, but also concerned about where we are in of a departmental mindset.”
SEE THE DATA:
Data published on the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s website shows Augusta euthanized more dogs in April than any other shelter in the state.
The data also shows Augusta Animal Services constantly ranks the highest in the state in euthanizations.
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