City council hears animal shelter proposal

Tressie Morgan addressed the Center City Council at the Monday, Dec. 12 meeting with a proposed animal shelter she has tentatively named Ruff Rider Shelter.

Addressing what she terms a “well-deserved and needed animal shelter in Center,” Morgan began by discussing (shelter) space and a system known as TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), and the role it plays in helping offset stray animal problems.

“Some cats are just too feral to live in a home with people, so the next best thing to do is TNR,” Morgan said. “With this program we can both reduce feral cat populations and control diseases that cats can contract and then give to humans, and make more space for cats who need more care than others.” Morgan outlined how the process can greatly improve the lives of animals and people, and help eradicate rabies.

She also noted a location in Center where she said a pack of stray dogs gather near the intersection of Wheeler Avenue and Hurst Street. “These could just be someone’s pets or feral dogs, but either way it’s not safe for them to be there. These dogs are a danger to themselves and others.” Morgan said she doesn’t live near the dogs but still encounters off-leash dogs that stalk or try to fight her dog. “As a result, we haven’t been on a walk for up to nine months.”

Morgan said a shelter could also offer classes with local schools and ag departments to teach the importance of animal health and care. She said she would offer volunteer work to high school students.

In addition, she said a shelter would offer trained companion animals for elders retirees.

She also noted people selling or giving away puppies or kittens on public parking lots that are “cute,” but sometimes undocumented and unvaccinated animals with a host of diseases and parasites.

In her presentation, Morgan outlined a list of diseases and parasites that a shelter could help to reduce in both dogs and cats.

“Foster care provides temporary care to shelter animals who need to live in a home environment prior to adoption,” said Morgan. “Fostering a pet means an increase in the pet’s chance of being adopted, helping them learn to live in a home environment, socializing them with other people and animals and helping them to adapt to new experiences.”

Morgan said she was seeking help in getting the building open, but envisioned it operating from donations and other sources without long-term help from the city or county.

Mayor David Chadwick thanked Morgan for her concern, said she was correct that the city had a need for it, and said the city had looked at the issue “numerous” times. He told her there was another person in town with the same passion, and that he would provide contact information after the meeting.

Morgan was not on the agenda, and no action was taken.