J.B. Ogle Animal Shelter changes discussed

Clark County

Discussion

January 24, 2012

General spruce up, spay and neutering programs under consideration

By DAVID A. MANN David.Mann@newsandtribune.com The News and Tribune Tue Jan 24, 2012, 03:01 AM EST

JEFFERSONVILLE — Dogs coming into Jeffersonville’s J.B. Ogle Animal Shelter are now being vaccinated upon intake. Tests are being conducted for heartworm and other ailments. And new spay and neuter programs are under consideration.

Shelter Director Sarah Green noted all the above — as well as several other plans and proposals — during a Monday night meeting of the Jeffersonville City Council. Green started as director at the beginning of the year, installed by Mayor Mike Moore to replace former director Harry Wilder.

According to Green, the animal shelter is being wired for internet, which will make it easier for staff to access sites like Facebook, where animals can be advertised for adoption. Further, she said, the shelter is also working on setting up a Paypal account for its Facebook page as a means of garnering donations.

Physical changes at the shelter are also being considered, Green said.

Painting is planned both inside the kennels and in public areas. A couple of other improvements under discussion include a fenced-in area where adopters can take their potential pets to play and a holding area for new strays to be kept separate from the general population.

Green also noted two new spay and neuter programs are being discussed. One program would catch, fix, then release feral cats. Another would provide transportation to and from the city’s SNIP clinic.

The council took no action on Green’s report, as it was only being presented for informational purposes. Councilman Matt Owen said he was highly encouraged by the information.

Councilman Mike Smith suggested that Green review finances for the shelter, noting it’s supposed to be funded by other municipal governments in Clark County — not just Jeffersonville.

“I don’t know if everyone is paying into this,” Smith said. “I think it’s something that has to be addressed.”

Clarksville, Charlestown, Sellersburg, Utica, Borden and Clark County governments have an agreement with the city under which they’re supposed to help fund operation of the animal shelter. In exchange for helping fund the shelter, animal control officers from the other municipalities and the county are to be able to bring animals to Jeffersonville.

Only Clarksville and Sellersburg are paid up as of last year, city records show.

Clark County has not paid for the last two years and owes the city $132,300. Charlestown government paid its $8,612 share in 2010, but still owes that amount for 2011. Utica and Borden haven’t paid anything during the last two years and are behind $1,541 and $1,182 respectively.

Councilman Nathan Samuel joked that Jeffersonville should drop off cats from the catch, fix and release program into those delinquent municipalities.

The interlocal agreement on which the city bases its claim is more than 20 years old. It was a three-year contract lasting from 1991 through 1993. There were two option periods for 1995 through 1996 and 1997 through 1999. Each municipality was required to opt out via written notice or the two option periods would automatically take effect. There is no language in the contract that would extend it beyond 1999.