Commissioners consider their support for spay/neuter program
Wayne Ruple
09-15-2008
Following a presentation by Donald Kendrick with Spay Alabama, the Cleburne County Commission this week discussed possible support for a voluntary, low-cost program to spay and neuter dogs and cats. Spay Alabama’s goal is to end the euthanasia of healthy and treatable dogs and cats in Alabama. According to their website the program provides a single center, a single phone call that accesses all sorts of useful information regarding the various spay/neuter delivery systems, clinics and programs statewide. “This means that even people in the poorest, most isolated parts of the state can, with a singe (free) phone call, find their nearest affordable spray/neuter program and how to get help.” Kendrick said spay and neutering is “not the most important issue you face but it will not go away.” The answer, to the growing population of unwanted cats and dogs is prevention he added. Kendrick told the commissioners several other counties and cities have tried to use money - one half to a million dollars in solving their overpopulation problems without the best results. “Overpopulation is a people problem. They (animals) can’t live without use because they are not wildlife,” he added. “As the population grows, the problems increase. There are 150,000 dogs and cats killed yearly in Alabama.” He said a female dog can be spayed for about $55 while it costs in excess of $100 to kill and dispose of that same animal. “Euthanasia is not cost effective,” he said. Kendrick said a spay/neuter program can be targeted and offered to lower income people. ‘It will save taxpayers’ dollars and animals lives,” Kendrick said. Kendrick suggested the county promote such a program and work with Spay Alabama. He and Kathy Hamilton said Spay Alabama and the county could jointly promote and advertise the program which would involve dog and cat owners agreeing to have their animals spayed or neutered for a reduced price or about half what a visit to the vet would cost. They would pay the price up front. Spay Alabama would visit Cleburne County at an established date and time at which pet owners would bring their animals and allow them to be transported to Spay Alabama’s clinic in Irondale. The animals would stay overnight and be returned the following day. Commissioners indicated interest in the program and Cleburne County Commission Ex-Officio Chairman Ryan Robertson said he would look forward to program details. In other matters: *In one of their final acts concerning the joint city/county industrial park, the commission approved the dissolution of the Economic and Industrial Development Authority. In passing the resolution dissolving the authority the commission stated, “the commission does hereby approve the resolution of the board of directors of the authority recommending that the authority be dissolved.” *At the urging of Cleburne County Commissioner Bobby Brooks the commission agreed to take $150,000 out of the general fund to do tar and gravel maintenance work on an estimated eight miles of county roads 41, 66 and 49 to seal water out and keep the roads from degrading further. Commissioner Tracy Lambert said he realizes the need for the work but feels the effort will be a “band aid on a sore” and puts the county’s finances “on dangerous ground”. In making the recommendation Brooks said prices for paving material is “not going to get better”. *Turned down a request from Jimmy Taylor to consider allowing the dumping of rock and wood products at the old county landfill.
About Wayne Ruple
Cleburne News editor Wayne Ruple is a native of Ashville. Before coming to Heflin, he worked for three years as a computer systems manager in Birmingham. Ruple has worked for The Sand Mountain Reporter in Albertville, and was the editor of The Independent in Robertsdale. He has also worked for the Shades Valley Sun, the St. Clair News-Aegis and The Daily Home in Talladega.
