New dog adoption plan all it's barked up to be

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

By Steve Gunn
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER




Some people expected the canine adoption program at the Muskegon County animal shelter would "go to the dogs" when the county turned the program over to a private, nonprofit group.


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But the opposite has occurred, according to officials.

The percentage of impounded dogs placed in adoptive homes was slightly higher in the last three months of 2003, compared to the same period a year earlier. And the percentage of dogs euthanized in that period dropped significantly from the year before.

It's no coincidence that Lifeline for Pound Buddies, a local group that carefully screens prospective dog owners, took over the animal shelter's dog adoption program in October, said Ken Kraus, director of the Muskegon County Health Department.

The group's impressive performance helped convince Kraus to enter into a contract that will allow Pound Buddies to keep running the adoption program for the rest of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, 2004. Muskegon County commissioners unanimously approved the contract Thursday.

At this point, there's every reason to believe that a similar contract will be desirable, at least from the county's perspective, every year, Kraus said.

"As of right now it seems to be going great," Kraus said. "We're happy with what they're doing. We can concentrate on managing the animals, and they can concentrate on what they're organized to do, which is to make sure dogs are adopted into good homes."

"We're elated" with the latest statistics, said Connie Karry, the director of Pound Buddies. "Of course, we'll only really be happy when no dogs are euthanized here. Our volunteers work very hard to find loving, permanent homes for every animal ... and we always need more volunteers.

"We're very happy we've been given this opportunity."

Kraus created an uproar last fall when he announced that Muskegon County would no longer run a dog adoption program at its animal shelter at 1300 E. Keating in Muskegon.

He announced that Muskegon County Animal Control would change its name to Muskegon County Vector Control, and focus more on controlling animal-borne diseases in the community.

Kraus also announced that the county would allow a private agency to operate the dog adoption program.

But many people missed the last part. They automatically assumed that all dogs in the animal shelter would be killed, with no chance for rescue. And their fears were heightened Oct. 1 when the county ceased its adoption program and no agreement was in place with a private agency to take over.

But Kraus struck a deal with Pound Buddies about a week later, and dog adoptions were resumed by Oct. 10. Under the arrangement, volunteers for the organization come into the animal shelter twice a week, show the dogs to the public and take applications for adoption. Adoption times are Wednesdays from 5:30-7 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

While the adoption program is open far less than the county's former program, statistics compiled by the county show it's been successful.

The proof is in the comparison. In October-December 2002, 577 dogs were impounded. A total of 235, or 42 percent, were euthanized, while 216, or 39 percent, were adopted.

In October-December 2003, under the Pound Buddies program, 442 dogs were impounded. A total of 156, or 35 percent, have been euthanized, while 180, or 41 percent, were adopted.

Percentages of dogs released back to their original owners have also improved, from 19 percent in October-December 2002 to 24 percent in the same period of 2003.

Pound Buddies has been successful partly because the volunteers work to find homes for dogs on their own time, away from the shelter, Kraus said.

"They're doing a lot of (Internet) work, doing a lot of calling," Kraus said. "Plus they're getting a lot of dogs out to other rescue organizations that can place them. For example, people looking for a Husky will naturally go to a Husky rescue organization."