An at-capacity shelter and an unprecedented storm put the Habersham County Animal Shelter on a potential collision course this week.
With less than 24 hours before the storm makes landfall, the shelter reported a total of around 82 animals (42 felines and about 40 canines) in need of adoption.
In preparation for Helene and the potential for fallen trees, animal shelter staff recently “evacuated” 27 cats from a trailer the facility uses for overflow and placed them in the care of temporary foster homes.
“The trailer is not the best place to be in a storm,” Animal Control Director Maddie Nix said Thursday. “We also have some pretty (dangerous) trees around here. We put out a plea for our fosters to take them over the weekend.”
Hurricane Helene
Like other government agencies, Nix and her 10-member staff will continue to operate through severe weather expected over the next few days.
For the last week, animal shelter personnel have made calls and worked to move as many animals (around 15 dogs) as possible to secure locations (foster homes) before the storm’s arrival. Volunteer groups went to and from the shelter Thursday to play and exercise canines while staff members donated around 20 dog houses to pet owners in need throughout the community.
“Responding to calls, (staff) would notice an animal with inadequate shelter or something that wasn’t going to be sufficient for them with this kind of weather, so we were able to pass along some dog houses that were donated to us,” Nix said.
Even after the storm hits, while adoptions will pause, Nix said those same staff members will continue to conduct daily visits to ensure animals receive care, food and water.
“We will still, one way or another, have somebody here every day making sure they’re taken care of,” she said.
Strays down, surrenders up
Around 75% of the 80-plus animals held at Habersham County’s Animal Shelter were surrendered by residents (most of them newcomers from other counties), according to Nix, who called this a growing problem that’s created a strain on resources.
“This has been a huge issue,” Nix said. “The strays are declining, but the surrenders are increasing. It’s been happening for a while over the years, but now, it’s just kind of in our face.”
Nix said that while animal shelter officials can turn away out-of-county surrenders, Habersham will continue to accept in-county surrenders. In times of full capacity, this can present a life-or-death challenge.
“But this really puts a (burden) on our taxpayers,” Nix said. “We can let people know that we are at capacity and we will have to euthanize an animal to make space for theirs and that theirs may also be euthanized as well. We try to be transparent with folks and just let them know what the situation is before they bring (surrendered pets) in.”
Need for space
As county officials continue to consider the timeline for construction of a future animal shelter, Nix said the need for a new facility grows by the day.
“As the community’s growing, the need is growing,” Nix said. “There’s a lot of things that are not up to par – that do cause disease issues and make it difficult to sterilize properly…we have doors that wheelchairs don’t fit through. We have septic (issues). And the need for more space is the biggest.”
County Manager Alicia Vaughn said on Thursday that plans for that project are moving forward.
“We are finalizing the engineering plans,” she said. “…I expected to have a maximum price any day – probably Monday or Tuesday of next week. The next step would be getting financing options and then the go-ahead (from commissioners).”
In a message to the public, Nix sought to remind the community that adoption of a pet is a long-term commitment that people should take seriously.
“We’re making sure we’re communicating and making sure we find the right match,” she said. “We’re not just trying to push an (animal) out the door so that our numbers are good.”
Despite increasing spay and neuter costs (from $65 to $175 per animal), adoption fees are currently $110 for dogs and $55 for cats.
All animals adopted from the shelter come spayed and neutered and are fully vaccinated.
