County, Humane Society renew agreement for four years

Dogged determination has paid off for the Humane Society of Putnam County and county officials who have worked at length to restore proper animal care and control to the community.

At the Putnam County Board of Commissioners meeting at the courthouse this week, the commissioners, Putnam County Sheriff's Department and the Humane Society of Putnam County (HSPC) formally signed documents renewing their agreement regarding animal care and control services for the citizens of Putnam County.

Putnam County Commissioners (seated, from left) Rick Woodall, President David Berry and Don Walton are joined by other principals involved in renewed agreement signed Monday regarding animal care and control services for Putnam County. In back (from left) are Putnam County Sheriff's Department Col. Phil Parker and Sheriff Scott Stockton, Humane Society of Putnam County President Sandy Grimes, animal care and control director Deputy Randy Patrick and HSPC member Don Williams.

Humane Society President Sandy Grimes and Putnam County Board of Commissioners President Dave Berry signed the official agreement, which formally defines the partnership responsibilities of each entity, during the commissioners' hour-long public meeting.

Per the agreement, the Sheriff's Department maintains operational control and day-to-day management of the shelter, while the Humane Society, with its extended network of animal care resources, provides services regarding animal care.

Col. Phil Parker, Sheriff's Department chief deputy, noted that the agreement allows the HSPC to "take over the lead not only in adoptions but in foster care and the rescue program."

The agreement signed Monday morning remains in effect for four years rather than the parties redoing the agreement on an annual basis, Sheriff Scott Stockton noted.

"We put some language in there that keeps us from having to do that (renew annually)," he said.

On a motion by Commissioner Don Walton and a second from Rick Woodall, the agreement was unanimously approved and signed by President Berry.

"Are things still rolling along pretty good?" Commissioner Woodall asked the sheriff.

"They're great," Stockton responded, praising the cooperation of all involved, even down to assistance from the Putnam County Highway Department in hauling more rock to the site to improve driveway conditions at the shelter.

Randy Patrick, who serves as the animal care and control director, said the shelter currently houses one feral dog and 13 stray cats.

"Puppy season is coming up," he cautioned, "so we're getting prepped for that."

The Putnam County Animal Care and Control Shelter began providing services in July 2015.

In its first six months of operation, the shelter took in 137 animals, facilitated 88 animal adoptions, set up seven animal foster care situations and saw 15 animals returned to their owners.

Meanwhile, the Sheriff's Department's two animal care and control officers -- Patrick and Rodney Cline -- responded to more than 300 animal calls.

On average, the shelter houses approximately 25 animals weekly.

The Humane Society has provided numerous services, taking the lead in animal adoptions and transporting adoptable animals to various adoption events.

Going forward, the Humane Society has hired a part-time program coordinator to increase the efficiency of animal adoptions and placements.

Sheriff Stockton noted that the new agreement provides a desirable outcome for animal care and control and the needs of Putnam County's homeless, lost or abused animals.

"This partnership essentially reduces the financial burden of the taxpayer for animal control by 30 percent while still providing excellent service to both the citizens and animals in need," Sheriff Stockton said. "In this ongoing partnership, we look forward to continuing to provide these much-needed services in the most fiscally prudent manner possible."