Encourage Cities to Help Animal Shelter

To the Editor:

Recently there have been numerous articles and letters in the local media letting the communities know how serious the financial needs are of the Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter; specifically, the lack of support from the Fayette County municipalities, which it serves. The Fayette County municipalities are either minimally or not supporting the animal shelter. The shelter exists to provide temporary shelter for stray cats and dogs in Fayette County and to make every attempt to rehome healthy, adoptable animals. Without the shelter, there would be an added 1,600 to 1,700 stray cats and dogs year over year. The impact on public safety would be significant: rabies; wild dog packs; attacks on family pets; attacks on livestock.

I have been a board member of the animal shelter for the past five and half years. During that time, two of the eight Fayette County municipalities have increased their contribution to the shelter: Fayetteville increased $250 annually beginning in 2024, and Schulenburg increased $5,000 beginning in 2025. Aside from that there have been no increases in at least the last eight years.

During this time, the operating expenses have increased significantly. The increase is due, of course, to an increase in the cost of living and the overall cost involved in basic needs of those in care. The increase is also attributed to the increase in the number of dogs and cats in need in Fayette County. In 2018 the shelter took in 1,447 dogs and cats and tragically, 789 were euthanized. In 2024 the shelter cared for 1,682 dogs and cats and 48 were euthanized. That means going from a 45% live release rate in 2018 to a 97% live release rate since 2024. Saving more lives means caring for a larger number of dogs and cats for a longer period: staffing, medical, care, and cleaning supplies, veterinary expenses including spay and neuter, and space. All of these come with increased costs for the shelter. Every attempt is made to keep costs down by a large volunteer team, donated veterinary services from a board member, grant writing, significant fundraising, and the shelter bears the expense of fundraising.

The Executive Director, Board President, and Board Members of the Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter have met with city officials on multiple occasions to communicate the circumstances at hand. Each time they have been met with either no response or have been told “no” to added monies for the shelter. The shelter is asking for the citizens of Fayette County, who support the shelter on their own, to encourage our supporters to talk to your city leaders and ask that they budget the requested support for the animal shelter. We do not want to lose this valuable asset to our community. The shelter provides an essential public safety service.

Ann Rauch Round Top