Cocke Co. animal shelter splits from county, board member outlines next steps

NEWPORT, Tenn. (WVLT) – A no-get rid of belief and lack of funding from the county govt prompted the Pals Animal Shelter of Cocke County to component methods with the county.

The Shelter’s Board of Director’s Vice President, Sara Kenney, mentioned it will get the job done with the country by the close of the month, but will then operate on its very own.

“We’re psyched about what we’re going to do. We’re enthusiastic about relocating ahead,” Kenney stated.

The shelter’s no-destroy philosophy allowed the personnel and volunteers to continue to keep observe of its 100 cats and dogs.

“It permits us to command what we take in, and make certain we can give them the best treatment as possible compared to what the county provides in at any given time,” Kenney stated.

Kenney said the shelter allow the county know they would not renew their contract in the new fiscal calendar year. Volunteers would continue to take in county animals, but not from animal regulate. As an alternative they will accept animals from men and women when they are not at capability.

“If we’re full. We can say we’re comprehensive and that is what will come about,” Kenney mentioned. “Working with the county we have been at ability, which has been a disappointment for them and a irritation for us way too. We have experienced personnel truly choose animals home due to the fact we didn’t have a place for them.”

Kenney explained the county supplied $138,000 previous 12 months and the budget at that time was $270,000. The shelter lifted the distinction through donations.

“I really don’t assume the county can give us what it will take to run the shelter. I just don’t believe it’s in their suggests. So we have to have yet another avenue to go,” Kenney explained.

Kenney said in the last calendar year they saved additional than 1,000 cats’ and dogs’ life.

“We will never ever choose animals we cannot residence accurately, but we’ll get the job done with the community,” she stated.

Kenney explained their mission of focusing on spay and neuter, cost-free vaccines, education and learning for the general public, and taking in and adopting out animals to the most correct houses will continue being the similar.

The corporation will be a no-get rid of, non-gain and is in the process of changing its name to Smoky Mountain Humane Society.

The shelter will run solely on donations. You can donate listed here. If the shelter is entire and can’t accept a cat or pet, shelter employees will offer assets like food items and aid individuals control to hold the animal until eventually they have an open place.

WVLT Information also left County Mayor Crystal Ottinger a voicemail and stopped by her office for a remark. Her secretary said she was out of city.