Support Shelter

To the Editor:

Fayette County, the Cities of La Grange, Schulenburg, Flatonia, Ellinger, Carmine, Fayetteville and Town of Round Top are all extraordinarily fortunate to benefit from a well-run, community supported animal shelter. The Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter (GJAS) relieves a significant burden from local governments as stray dogs and cats running at large is clearly a public safety issue.

At the recent open house of the new Animal Shelter facility I was very surprised to notice only ONE of our many elected officials in attendance. I am even more surprised to learn of the lack of financial support from our local government. It appears that our local government is delegating financial responsibility to the citizens of Fayette County when this should be an effort that is primarily funded by government with support from citizens.

The Animal Shelter serves the needs of Fayette County and deserves the support of each municipality and Fayette County in every respect and at every opportunity. It would be easy to show up at an open house when invited. This organization is one of the most well run, respected and supported non-profits that I have encountered in 30 plus years of volunteering across the United States and serving with and on non-profit boards in Texas.

Elected officials, do the right thing and support your local animal shelter. I support increased funding for GJAS. They are essential to our community’s safety, animal welfare and quality of life in Fayette County. Please prioritize GJAS in the future budgets.

Denise Wolff Round Top