Dogs and cats are available for adoption. People can adopt a dog for $65 and a cat for $55. The cost includes spaying or neutering the animal, rabies, parvo/distemper and kennel cough vaccinations and worming performed at local veterinary clinics. People can also add $20 to the cost of adoption and a micro chip will be installed in the adopted pet. Animal control officers have scanners in their trucks and at the shelter and personnel can go onto a computer and find a pet’s owner.

Animal control took the largest county budget cut in the 2009-2010 budget at 9.84 percent. Wells said she hasn’t replaced one full-time and one half-time position, but her department “will be fine.”

“We are on call seven days a week and we are staggering the hours and rotating who’s on call,” she said.

Euthanizations are no longer performed at the shelter but at local veterinary clinics, Wells said. Tuesday, 23 cats had to be taken to a veterinarian for euthanization by lethal injection. The animals are then taken back to the shelter for cremation.

“We have to euthanize too many of them,” Wells said.

Wells said that a “Save Our Pets” foundation here has organized and will be active within a month. She said animal shelters can’t get state grants and do fundraising without an established foundation.

“We will now be able to raise money and apply for state grants to have spaying and neutering clinics,” Wells said.

The public can also help the shelter, Wells said, by donating food, cleaning supplies, old sheets and towels and other items used at the shelter. Volunteers can also assist by helping wash and sanitize feeding bowls and walk dogs.

To contact senior reporter Angie Thompson, call 382-4321.