Paws Humane promised to improve Columbus animal control. Here’s how that’s going
The Columbus Consolidated Government contracted with Paws Humane Society to manage the Columbus Animal Care and Control, starting eight months ago, after the city manager announced the facility no longer could ensure compliance with Georgia Department of Agriculture regulations, but overcrowding at the shelter remains a concern, according to the latest inspection reports.
In August, the Paws declared a state of emergency as it cared for 547 animals, with hundreds more on a waiting list to be surrendered. Around the same time, on Aug. 19, the Department of Agriculture performed a routine inspection of the animal shelter, identifying three violations.
During a follow-up inspection in September, Paws had corrected the issues and passed without any violations.
Implementing facility upgrades and necessary changes to the shelter was expected to take time, Paws executive director Courtney Pierce told the Ledger-Enquirer in February, and people should not expect the changes to occur overnight.
Over the past few months, progress has been made, Pierce said in an Oct. 3 email to the Ledger-Enquirer. Karen Gaskins, co-chair of the Columbus Animal Control Advisory Board, echoed that assessment.
“We are still dealing with growing pains, trying to navigate through this,” Gaskins, a retired police officer running for the District 1 seat on Columbus Council, told the Ledger-Enquirer. “All have never been more committed to make this work.”
Latest inspection reports
In May, Department of Agriculture inspectors passed the animal shelter in every category, along with providing an update on work that had been done to the facility, according the report the Ledger-Enquirer obtained through a Georgia Open Records Act request.
“Since acquiring this facility, Paws has added 7 outdoor exercise yards for general population and is replacing all of the chain-link kennel doors,” the report says. “The new doors were observed on a large pallet just outside the facility.”
Intake for dogs was suspended for 30 days during this visit because of capacity, and the shelter was caring for 86 dogs and 18 cats during the May inspection.
Paws Humane had more challenges during the Aug. 19 inspection, when they had three violations. The shelter was caring for 129 dogs and 25 cats during this inspection, according to the report.
The first violation was for ponding water inside the shelter because of a leaking pipe in the ceiling.
“Like any facility, occasional maintenance issues arise, but we are fortunate to have excellent vendors who support us at our Resource Center (4900 Milgen Rd.),” Pierce told the Ledger-Enquirer in the Oct. 3 email. “The city has also been very responsive in addressing concerns at the Animal Services building (4910). We have a strong working relationship with that department, and they have consistently provided assistance when needed.”
Paws had a second violation in August for “large piles of soiled bedding” in the intake area, according to the report.
An industrial washer and dryer set up is needed to keep up with the laundry, inspectors wrote in the report. Pierce told inspectors Paws was looking into having a laundry service come to help them catch up, according to the report.
The last violation in August was related to dogs being housed in 41 wire crates throughout the shelter, with many not meeting the space requirements.
Pierce told the inspector this occurred because of overcrowding, according to the report, and she planned to have the dogs in proper-sized crates by the end of the week.
Paws was given 30 days to address the violations, with a Department of Agriculture inspector returning Sept. 22.
During this inspection, the shelter was noted as having resolved the previous problems and had no violations, according to the report.
The leaky ceiling pipe had been repaired, and the shelter had no standing water issue. The kennels had been addressed, and sound barrier curtains had been installed in the intake bay ceiling. Pierce told the inspector Paws plans to install sound barriers in the general population.
The inspector saw soiled bedding in the shelter, but it was bagged, and a cleaning service was scheduled to pick it up, according to the report. Commercial washers and dryers had been ordered, Pierce told the inspector, and Paws plans to install them.
Update on planned facility upgrade
All the kennel doors in the general population have been upgraded, Pierce told the Ledger-Enquirer in her Oct. 3 email.
“The outdoor exercise runs are complete,” she said. “And we’ve also added an extra kennel space outside to safely house dogs while their primary kennel is being cleaned.”
The project to extend the sound barriers to the general population is ongoing, she said. They are working through the safest and most effective installation plan for the curtains because of the ceiling height and kennel layout.
“We are also in the process of adding air conditioning to the general population area,” Pierce said. “Working closely with the city, we’re exploring the best long-term solution for this non-residential space to ensure durability and effectiveness.”
Although the latest inspection showed no issues, Pierce said, the Department of Agriculture’s standards are not the same as what Paws strives for at the shelter.
“Our goal is to reduce the number of animals entering the shelter,” she said. “And for those that do come to us, we aim to exceed expectations.”
Adoptions and overcrowding
Since July, Paws has run continuous adoption specials, expanded their presence at off-site events and invested in marketing, Pierce said.
“These efforts have helped reduce the number of animals in the shelter,” she said. “But capacity continues to be a daily challenge. With the high number of community animals in need, this will likely remain one of our greatest hurdles in the foreseeable future.”
Another challenge contributing to the overcrowding is people bringing animals in from outside Muscogee County, Pierce said.
Since the shelter is committed to Columbus becoming a “no-kill community,” she said, people from outside the county have been bringing animals there, believing the dogs and cats will be safe.
“While we understand the intention, our resources and kennel space are limited,” Pierce said. “And we must remain focused on serving Muscogee County.”
In Paws’ latest monthly report from August, the shelter had 359 intakes with 217 total adoptions and 92 animals transported to other shelters. Twenty-nine dogs and cats were euthanized in August.
The shelter remains committed to maintaining its no-kill status while being committed to public safety, Pierce said.
“We have euthanized for medical reasons and also for aggression,” she said. “We cannot in good conscience adopt an animal to an individual or family that we feel could or has in the past caused injury to someone.”
Paws has not euthanized any healthy, treatable animals for space, Pierce said.
A shelter can never replace a home, Pierce said, but she is proud of the progress the shelter has made in meeting the needs of each animal. This is accomplished by providing mental stimulation, daily exercise, opportunities to play with other animals and working to reduce their stress.
“It’s about more than clean runs and regular meals,” she said. “It’s about ensuring quality of life. And while we’ve come far, there is always more work to be done.”
