ABOVE: Interim Vermilion County Animal Shelter Director Ryan Goodner and Vermilion County Board Chairman Steve Miller.
It is well known that the Vermilion County Animal Shelter on Catlin-Tilton Road is very busy and very crowded. So what can be done for the future? During a recent meeting with County Board Chairman Steve Miller and Shelter Interim Director Ryan Goodner, CIMG heard strong desire from both men to provide care for the county’s animals and provide them homes. But there was also strong desire for making some changes for the future.
Miller pointed out that since 2014, and costs have certainly gone up since then; Vermilion County has had an agreement with the City of Danville to provide help enforcing city leash laws. But that’s only the beginning of what Vermilion County Animal Control assists the City of Danville with. Just a few of many examples would include assisting Danville Police with overnight calls concerning animals, assisting with pick-up and disposal of deceased animals, and helping with pet ownership surrender or pet on pet or pet on pedestrian attack situations.
Miller says the city provides the county just over $100,000 of assistance for all this; while over the last four years 53% of the dogs and cats taken in by the shelter have been from Danville. During the current budget, the county appropriated over $1.8 million dollars for animal shelter expenses, with over $1.3 million provided by general fund transfer. Miller says that is not sustainable, especially with significant rises in recent years.
The city and county have been working on various possibilities. For example, should a completely new or partially new facility be built at the current site? OR, should a partial new facility be built in a different location, perhaps in Danville? After the City Council committee meeting Tuesday night, Mayor Rickey Williams, Jr said he would prefer a separate shelter location for adoptions, away from the rest of the shelter.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: I think it’s better if you have your adoption and such in one place, but we have to make sure we keep all options open.
Goodner said there are positives about having a separate adoption location, but also negatives; such as expenses and personnel needed to shuttle the animals back and forth.
Miller pointed out that should a facility of any kind in Danville become part of the Vermilion County Animal Shelter, he would want the city to handle the daily maintenance of it.
Audio PlayerAUDIO: The county is probably not really interested in being responsible for the upkeep and care of one more building. And, when we met with the city, it was pretty universally agreed that the city was far better able to oversee and maintain buildings than what the county is; just because of the staffing differences that we have. Whether it be a property that the city would own, and would lease to us for minimal sum; but they would be responsible for its care……
Miller says there will be further talks with the city, as well as with parties very interested in providing assistance to make improvements happen. Miller says that one thing for sure in his mind is that when all is said and done, he’d like to see a solid low cost spay and neuter program, with a surgical center on site for pet owners.
