One year after contracting out animal shelter services to a private boarding kennel, the city of Dillingham has opened its own new dog pound, a decision based largely on saving money, says interim city manager Steve Cropsey.
"We didn't cancel the contract," Cropsey said in an interview Feb. 28. "We decided to do something different. I was looking at the budget and I said we have to figure out a way to save some money."
Deanna Hardin, owner of the Happy Tails pet boarding facility, "did a great service for the city," Cropsey said. "We just needed a way to save some money and be more accommodating to people who want to adopt and have more access for the animal control person."
The City Council was aware that the contract with Hardin was running out and supportive of providing an animal shelter in a way that meets the city's needs and also budget constraints, said Mayor Alice Ruby.
While money is certain an issue, the city has been appreciative of Hardin's care of dogs and cats placed in her care, Ruby said. At its March 3 meeting, the City Council will be adopting a resolution to thank Hardin for providing a temporary shelter, she said. "We do thank Deanna for the effort she has made."
Five animals still at Happy Tails were transferred Feb. 28 to the new city shelter.
Both Cropsey and Hardin said they were aware that the new facility may be subject to much scrutiny in the wake of deaths of several dogs in a windowless old warehouse that had served as the dog pound.
On Dec. 8, 2009, Dillingham police found six dogs dead at the old Dillingham animal shelter, the victims of dehydration, starvation and neglect. Jim Hagee, a veterinarian from the Chugiak area near Anchorage, had made periodic visits to provide veterinary services to Dillingham residents. Hagee reportedly said he had never seen animals desecrated quite to this extent. Hagee said all of the deaths could have been prevented.
Cropsey said that the new shelter includes 11 enclosures, dog runs, plus enough space to accommodate 20 cats and litters. Each of the dog runs is six feet high, five feet wide and 15 feet long, he said.
"We can take at least 10 dogs, but there are circumstances when you can put two dogs in the same run, the same as she (Hardin) did," he said.
$1,100 spent per animal
The city of Dillingham spent $64,000 in the first six months of the year on animal regulation, and that represents a little over $1,100 per animal impounded, he said.
"Our goal is to not euthanize animals," Cropsey said. "We have arranged with Northern Air Cargo and Everts Air Cargo to ship puppies to Anchorage and Fairbanks to shelters with non-euthanasia policies. They have been doing that all year."
Hardin said that she began her contractual arrangement with the city March 6, 2010. The contract was for two months, then extended for another two months, and at length she asked for a minimum six-month contract. Nobody told her that her contract would not be renewed, she said. Instead she heard on a radio news program about city plans to open its own shelter.
"People are disappointed," she said. "The ones that have contacted me have been upset at the change. They are curious about how the city is going to have different or better services. They don't understand how the city can spend money on kennels and supplies when they claim to be tightening their budget."
City officials said there was no intent to slight Hardin; that the contract had simply ended and they were dealing with budget constraints.
Hardin also questioned whether the city would be able to provide the same services for less than her contract cost, but Cropsey predicted that the city would see a 30 percent overall savings by operating its own pound.
The city also is planning a spay-neuter clinic for dogs and cats this spring, he said. Details on the clinic are to be announced at a later date.
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