Shop Local
Friday, June 15, 2012
Just a few months after first announcing plans for a fundraising campaign to build a new animal shelter, Fulton Mayor LeRoy Benton says the planning committee already is halfway toward its $250,000 goal.
“We now have approximately $132,000 either in-hand, or pledged,” Benton announced to the city council Tuesday night. “I feel really good about what we’ve done. This is going to happen.”
Les Hudson, Fulton’s planning and protective services director — a position which oversees the animal shelter — said he has been impressed at the community’s response thus far.
“I’m very happy with the people of Fulton — they have really come through,” Hudson said.
Benton first proposed the idea to launch an effort to build a new animal shelter in February, and he and a committee comprised of city employees and citizen volunteers have been busy in the time since then, developing plans and promoting the cause.
The existing Garrett Animal Shelter actually started life as the city pool bath house — it was converted into an animal shelter in the 1990s as a “temporary” location.
“Fundraising has gone so well because (a new shelter) is so desperately needed,” said Animal Shelter Committee member Edie Maxey. “Basically Fulton is a very well-run community with good facilities, but the animal shelter is so far below that standard. Conditions there are unhealthy and it’s not nearly big enough — it’s way below what a city this size should have.
Comments
Advocator 11 months, 1 week ago
It's always nice to read about good things happening in Fulton and this is a great example of the good things. The drawing looks like a very efficient shelter that will be easier to maintain than the present one. I would suggest another important part of a shelter would be an exercise area that could double as a introduction area, where people who are interested in a dog they may want to adopt could meet with the dog. The dogs will behave very differently outside of their kennels and this would give them a chance to put their best paw forward. Ideally, if there is enough room, you could have both of the areas located on opposite sides (ends) of the building. Even the present shelter has an exercise area. I realize that some will say, people will just dump their animals in the pen, but a well lighted area with cameras would discourage the ones among us that do not live up to their responsibilities. If the City of Fulton would like to increase adoption rates these areas are a must and have been proven to work. When the new shelter is built it will an example of good local government at work.
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