To: Sumter City and County Council
Changes at Sumter County-City Animal Control
We are standing together to change the lives of the abandoned, surrendered, stray, and abused dogs in our community. We demand humane treatment of the dogs at Sumter County-City Animal Control, we demand that our tax dollars are used to do more to rehome dogs rather than euthanize them, and we demand that Animal Control staff is held accountable for the lives that are in their hands. When we vote for elected officials, we will support those who support us.
1. Increase hold time for dogs. Dogs are killed after their hold time is up, regardless of whether resources exist to sustain them (six days for city, 10 days for county). Dogs should be held longer so an effort can be made to find homes for them.
2. Change the operating hours. The current hours do not allow easy access by the public, including volunteers.
3. Increase staffing. Inmates should not be allowed to "work" at Animal Control. Additional staff is necessary to maintain the facility, clean and sanitize kennels to prevent the spread of disease, care for the dogs, and assist the public.
4. Perform better building maintenance. Heating, air conditioning, and a washing machine should be installed. The property should be fenced in with separate runs to provide room for the dogs to exercise, and all kennels should be kept in working order.
5. Take monetary donations. Monetary donations should be accepted and utilized to purchase supplies for the dogs, including bedding, food and water bowls, and food.
1. Increase hold time for dogs. Dogs are killed after their hold time is up, regardless of whether resources exist to sustain them (six days for city, 10 days for county). Dogs should be held longer so an effort can be made to find homes for them.
2. Change the operating hours. The current hours do not allow easy access by the public, including volunteers.
3. Increase staffing. Inmates should not be allowed to "work" at Animal Control. Additional staff is necessary to maintain the facility, clean and sanitize kennels to prevent the spread of disease, care for the dogs, and assist the public.
4. Perform better building maintenance. Heating, air conditioning, and a washing machine should be installed. The property should be fenced in with separate runs to provide room for the dogs to exercise, and all kennels should be kept in working order.
5. Take monetary donations. Monetary donations should be accepted and utilized to purchase supplies for the dogs, including bedding, food and water bowls, and food.
Why is this important?
The dogs picked up by AC are living, breathing souls; God’s creations. We must end the killing of healthy dogs that, by no fault of their own, have ended up at AC. We must improve the facility and we must stop wasting our tax dollars by putting a band-aid on the dog overpopulation problem in Sumter. We need to fix the problem. We cannot kill our way to fewer unwanted animals! We must speak up; we are their voice! Your signature is your voice! Please support efforts to save the lives of these deserving dogs and demand that they are treated humanely with compassion and decency.