Letter: Shelter to End Municipal Animal Control Contracts

To the editor:

The Center for Animal Health and Welfare will remain a viable shelter for stray and ownerless companion animals in Northampton County. However, in an effort to contain spiraling costs and address the issue of increasing numbers of stray animals in Northampton County, the Center has decided to modify its municipal animal control contract. Starting on Jan. 1, 2013, we will no longer be accepting municipal animal control contracts and will no longer be an “open” shelter. Instead, the Center will treat animals from all sources in a manner similar to a private relinquishment. The standard fee for drop-off will be $150 per animal, payable at the time of relinquishment. Most importantly, animals will only be accepted on a space-available basis.

This policy merely reflects the reality of our current status. As has been well reported over the last year, we are in a nearly constant state of full capacity and have frequently been unable to accept animals from contracting municipalities. Furthermore, certain municipalities have actively or negligently sought loopholes to utilize our services without paying for them. Ultimately, the Center was left with choosing between providing charity to animals or providing charity to municipalities. Given our core mission, we have chosen to focus on the animals.

It is important to note that we are still actively seeking municipal partners for our Trap, Neuter and Release grant program to address the problems posed by feral cat colonies in Northampton County. We are also still interested in forming partnerships with municipalities, as we already have with the City of Easton, to assist them in handling their stray animal problems. We have dedicated volunteers, employees and board members available to advise municipalities and participate in seeking grants to help solve the burgeoning problem of stray animals.

As always, the Center is dedicated to providing the best possible outcomes for companion animals. It is our sincere hope that these policy changes will enable us to continue this mission for years to come.

The Center for Animal Health and Welfare

Williams Township