Between neglect, abuse, health issues, and not having homes, animal welfare problems stretch to all corners of Wayne County.
So far, Wayne County’s government and the City of Richmond have taken the lead in trying to address animal welfare through funding from the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. Commissioner Mary Anne Butters wants to see that change.
Butters presented a draft of an animal welfare plan, including seven tactics, during the commissioners’ Aug. 21 meeting. One of those is to involve all of the county’s municipalities in the fight.
“There are too many unhomed animals that impact the health and well-being of humans,” Butters said. “If we don’t get out in front, it will only get worse.”
Commissioners did vote 3-0 to proceed with a $30,000 contract for Dr. Stacy Kostiuk, a local veterinarian, to oversee implementation of suggestions made by national consultant Dr. Sara Pizano after Pizano conducted a study of Wayne County’s animal problems. The city and county are splitting the contract cost, while providing money for projects, as well.
The professional study and application of Pizano’s recommendations – when appropriate – are two of Butters’ tactics. When the contract concept was presented during the Aug. 14 commissioners meeting, she said it was important but was relying too much on veterinary solutions.
“Many issues brought the animal condition to this crisis point,” Butters said.
Butters also has been adamant the county needs to clarify its objectives to avoid making mistakes. Her plan includes an objective of “reducing the number of stray, feral, abused, neglected, aggressive, sheltered and diseased cats and dogs.” She advocates using expanded veterinary care, aggressive foster/adoption programs, pet owner education and better measurement and accountability to accomplish that.
Expanded spay/neutering would reduce the number of animals that need sheltering, while helping pet owners be more responsible would improve animal well-being and public safety.
During 2022 and 2023 law enforcement handled 5,683 calls related to animal problems. That’s just 206 calls fewer than the 5,889 for vehicle crashes, and it’s 802 more than the 4,881 calls for human domestic problems.
Butters is also seeking new funding sources, such as animal welfare license plates, and better collaboration between municipalities and the private sector to support animal welfare programs and initiatives.
She previously asked commissioners to allocate $500,000 from American Rescue Plan Act dollars to address animal welfare, saying it’s a quality-of-life issue that can be improved through ARPA’s one-time “windfall.”
After commissioners’ morning meeting, they requested that Wayne County Council approve $100,000 for animal welfare in the 2025 budget, including $50,000 for sheltering. This year, the county budgeted $50,000 for sheltering by HELP the Animals at a cost of $200 per dog.
Commissioners said the other $50,000 would go toward spay/neuter clinics or other services that Kostiuk recommends.
Butters said shelters must spay or neuter a pet before it can be adopted, and that cost keeps residents from adopting.
Commissioner Brad Dwenger echoed Butters call for meaningful changes, adding that the public has spoken, and they want county leaders to take action and “move the needle.”
At least one community forum on HELP spending drew many residents who described a need for more animal funding.
Later in the day’s budgeting meetings as county councilors whittled 2025 requests from departments, Tony Gillam recommended cutting the $100,000 request to $70,000. He eventually received support from Gary Saunders, Beth Leisure and Max Smith. Leisure said she didn’t think the line item should be doubled until they get more information.
Smith said the amount could be adjusted later in the budget process.
Council will conduct a public hearing to receive comments about the 2025 budget. The date and time for the public hearing have not yet been set.
Information about Wayne County’s budget and the public hearing will be posted on the Department of Local Government Finance website at budgetnotices.in.gov/unit_lookup.aspx?ct=89000.
Achieva Resources
Wayne County government has traditionally donated $16,000 to Achieva Resources for adult guardianship services.
Commissioners voted 3-0 that they would recommend to Wayne County Council that $16,000 be donated again during 2025.
A version of this article appeared in the August 28 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.