After years of tension and finger pointing, a joint policy promises to place county employees and volunteers on the same page. During their July 26, meeting Williamsburg County Council adopted a standard operating procedures manual between the Williamsburg County Animal Control and the Williamsburg Animal Shelter, Inc. (WAS), a volunteer group.
The root of the issue has been a lack of well-defined regulations. The new policy addresses issues regarding the responsibilities of each group as well other items such as ownership of the property and liability. The county owns the property but the pens that sit on the property, as well as supplies and food are not. Furthermore, the former policy did not define “shelter staff” as anyone in particular when referencing specific responsibilities. “These operating procedures are the rules of the highway,” said Williams-burg County Supervisor Stanley Pasley. “Unless you have them, all kinds of accidents and emergencies can develop and that’s been the case.”
The shelter is the holding and processing facility for stray animals that are picked up by Williamsburg County Animal Control. The facility is also a harbor for animals rescued by members of WAS who furnish the pens, food and medicines and volunteer their time on weekends and evenings. Pam Gowdy, WAS board president, has been working with Vincent McCrea, Williamsburg County Environmental Director, to develop the joint policy. “Any animal that enters that shelter should be fed and cared for in a humane way and adopted if possible,” said Gowdy who sees the changes as a positive step. “If they don’t find a home, then they have to be euthanized because we can’t save them all. But in order for us to run clearly and concisely and not have problems, we have to have a better working relationship and I see it moving forward.”
The shelter currently operates under limited space, therefore euthanization is conducted after five to seven days of an animal’s delivery but there are exceptions. “Common sense also tells you when to euthanized animal,” said Gowdy who added that animals have been put down even when space to house them was available them. “Any animal can stay past the five days if they are deemed an adoptable animal, but unfortunately we have some non-adoptable animals.” Animals that are euthanized without being held are those who are suffering or injured beyond help or are covered in mange. “You don’t wait until the limit. You don’t ask me. You do it now. It is our responsibility that they have humane care.”
Williamsburg County Cou-ncilman Sam Drucker has been a supporter of the shelter and applauded Gowdy for her on-going efforts. “This document has been needed for years and the problems this document is going to fix are problems that have been known about for years,” said Drucker. Each employee will be required to sign the document agreeing to its terms. “They saw this document over a year ago and they know what’s in it.” Drucker added that McCrea will also be responsible for keeping track of what goes on. “This is not a luxury for the animals. This is basic,” he said.  “This is the line that you don’t cross and I’m hoping the employees understand that this is not going above and beyond to follow this document. This is their job and these are living animals.”