Let’s Support The Animal Shelter

To the Editor:

This letter is written in support of the animal shelter. This is a short synopsis of how we got to this point.

I was County Judge for some time here in Fayette County. When I came into office in 1991 we had no animal shelter. We had problems with stray dogs, especially in the rural areas, that would chase cattle and even sometimes kill calves. The only solution was for the landowner to try to eliminate the problem by himself. Sometimes farmers would call the Sheriff’s office who would go out and dispatch the animal. In some cases they would catch the dog and put him in the back seat of their patrol car. You can imagine what a mess that was.

In a couple of years the county hired an animal control officer. Finally the folks in the rural areas got some relief. In conjunction with this, there was an area set up behind the sheriff’s office. It was kind of a mini animal shelter where the dogs were kept and fed and people could come by and adopt the animals. Eventually, Ed Mattingly, a local architect and all around good guy, came to my office and said there was a group of people trying to get together to start an animal shelter.

He asked if we had any property that the county would be willing to donate for such a cause. We owned property south of the recycling center that seemed to be a great location for this. The Commissioner’s Court voted to grant the property for a new animal shelter. Not only did we give the land, but we put money into the county budget to help run the place.

After some time, Gardenia Janssen donated a large sum of money for the animal shelter, hence the name Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter. The county, as well as the city, have a fiduciary responsibility to help control animals in the county. The difference the construction of the animal shelter has made in the county is unbelievable. No longer do we have a box on the side of the road with abandoned puppies inside. This had been a regular occurrence.

Sometimes next to the box was a large sack of puppy chow to help alieve their conscience. I commend the great job that all the individuals have done over all the years who have helped in any way with the animal shelter. I am particularly proud of the county for their forward thinking as many of our neighboring counties do not have such a program. I am also very proud of the spaying and neutering program at the animal shelter.

Friends, we have come a long way. I would hate to see us go backwards. Please continue to support our animal shelter in any way you can.

Ed Janecka Dubina