OUNT VERNON — It has been called the “million-dollar doghouse” by some. Others regard it as another humane step forward for the treatment of animals in a county that once used to sell rounded-up canines for medical research. What is the truth of the current Knox County Animal Shelter facility on Columbus Road? Everyone has a different point of view, say the Knox County Commissioners.
The commissioners explained in a conference with the News on Thursday that the previous, inferior facility did at least look good on paper, having utilities of a mere $3,136 in 2005, compared to the new building’s cost of $26,038 for utility expenses this year, with the remainder of the year estimated, based on figures from the end of 2007.
But at what cost did that “efficiency” come? The crowding, lack of air exchange and layout of the old shelter took a toll on animals in terms of health and disease, resulting in a survival rate of 70 to 80 percent, compared to the 90-plus percentage now seen. The point of the new building, the commissioners pointed out, was to improve conditions for both animals and workers. It also included expanded facilities to serve perceived needs of both animals and staff. Furthermore, the expansion in size has allowed the growth of a staff of about 15 volunteers who help care for the animals.
Likewise, animal care jumped from $3,586 per year to $22,110, because animal care now includes veterinary service, spaying and neutering, heartworm and other health treatments. While not cheap, such services have transformed the operation into a facility capable of humanely treating animals, as well as allowing sufficient space for volunteer workers. Payroll has increased from $81,819 to $113,788.97.
To achieve all these goals, the new building certainly could not be as cost-effective as the previous venue. The commissioners noted that they received criticism for the old facility, now they receive criticism for the new one. Commissioner President Bob Wise said that it was comparable to the leap taken from jail to jail facility over the years in Knox County, which has only had four.
“Each new facility was a big leap forward, and they certainly weren’t cost-efficient compared to the previous ones,” Wise said.
The only funding which comes to the shelter from the commissioners are two accounts. One pays for a full-time animal control officer, and the other is a stipend for court duties paid to the humane officer. These two accounts are mandated by the Ohio Revised Code. Other personnel, including the regular pay for the dog warden/humane officer, and the entire pay for the deputy dog warden, two part-time custodians, one part-time deputy dog warden at about eight hours per week, and another part-time deputy at about eight hours per month, are provided by the Dog and Kennel Fund, which is completely independent of the county’s general fund. The increase in dog license costs goes exclusively to the running of the shelter. None of that money can be used by the commissioners for any other purpose.
According to the commissioners, cost savings initiatives are being taken for 2009 to help keep costs as low as possible, while still realizing the purposes of the new facility. The shelter has begun participating in two programs that supply free dog and puppy food to the shelter, saving approximately $10,000 per year. They have also begun dealing with a “one-stop shop” supplier for shots, medicines and surgical supplies to save on shipping charges and take advantage of bulk buying rebates.
Overtime is also being kept to a minimum where possible, though the facility and its staff remain on-call 24 hours per day, every day of the year, to respond to vicious dog complaints or dog bites.
In the end, the commissioners said that the costs of the shelter made up a significant chunk of the expenses to be covered by the increase in dog license fees, and that if citizens ultimately did not value the shelter’s services, the commissioners could begin scaling back its services next year.
