Columbus Council greenlights deal for outside group to manage Columbus animal control
After months of hearing complaints from residents and seeing evidence of issues at Columbus’ animal shelter, the Columbus Council unanimously approved a contract Tuesday for PAWS Humane Society to take over management of the Columbus Animal Care & Control Center.
The contract has an initial term of three years with a two-year extension agreement, and will raise the animal control budget from about $2.1 million to almost $3.3 million for PAWS.
In October, the council directed Police Chief Stoney Mathis and City Manager Isaiah Hugley to negotiate a contract with PAWS after Hugley announced that animal control didn’t have enough employees to ensure compliance with Department of Agriculture requirements.
What led to outsourcing Columbus animal control management?
The move came after public outcry over a video showing the euthanasia of a dog. A search warrant was served at the animal control center and several animal care and control employees, including the former part-time veterinarian, were arrested on criminal charges following the release of that video.
Although having PAWS manage animal control will cost the city more, Hugley said it will solve core problems. The city expects the organization to deliver quality services and meet the expectations of the Columbus community, he said.
“They’re not going to come in here and do it for the $2.1 million that we’ve been doing it with,” Hugley said. “We’ve been understaffed, overworked and underpaid.”
The additional money will fund improvements to the facility, add staffing, bring more field services and help with animal care expenses. Details of the contract with PAWS were presented in a previous council meeting and during a public forum.
All animal control operations will be transferred to PAWS no later than Feb. 1, Hugley said. The remaining staff at animal control will be transferred to PAWS, have an opportunity to apply for a position with PAWS or will be placed in other positions within the city government.
“With the number of employees we’re talking about, I’m confident we will place them (in a position),” Hugley told the council.
Columbus Animal Care & Control had 26 members on it’s staff, he said.
Councilors approved a motion designating the city’s internal auditor as the contract administrator, who will serve as a liaison between PAWS and the City and between PAWS and the Animal Care Advisory Board.
Residents interested in reading the full management agreement between the city and PAWS can find a copy in the council’s Jan. 7 meeting agenda packet.
