News
Willcox Animal Shelter euthanasia rate is 33%
By Ainslee S. Wittig/Arizona Range News
In an article in the June 1 edition, "Finding Homes for Homeless Pets," Yvonne Mayer of the Cochise County Humane Society gave an incorrect euthanasia rate (90 percent) for the Willcox Animal Shelter. The actual euthanasia rate for the shelter is 33 percent or about one-third of the animals that end up there, said Jake Weaver, director of the Willcox Department of Public Safety, which operates the shelter for Cochise County.
Willcox Humane Officer Kelly Colbert said she believes that that number is still too high.
"It's higher than what we'd like, and we try to lower that rate every way we can," she said.
Weaver added that the adoption / rescue rate for the shelter is 44 percent, and the return to owner rate is 18 percent.
"The Cochise County Humane Society has not contacted us with any concerns they may have. She (Mayer) had made no attempt to contact me, but has sent emails to our City Council and made false accusations. I don't appreciate that," he said.
Cochise County Humane Society President Glenn Baxter said, "I apologize for the misinformation quoted by our zealous volunteer."
Weaver said, "We hold our animals as long as we can, sometimes six months, trying to adopt them out. We will also send them to other shelters if they have room. The humane officers have done an excellent job."
"The animals are turned out in the yard (for exercise) and the kennels are clean," Weaver said.
He added that the Cochise County Adult Probation participants have helped by doing the big weekly cleanings at the shelter for community service hours.
"We appreciate their help. Volunteers are also welcome, but they must have a background check," he said.
The Arizona Range News is contributing 10 percent of the advertising revenues from the "adopt-a-pet pages" in the June 10 issue to the Willcox Animal Shelter.
Willcox Humane Officer Kelly Colbert said she believes that that number is still too high.
"It's higher than what we'd like, and we try to lower that rate every way we can," she said.
Weaver added that the adoption / rescue rate for the shelter is 44 percent, and the return to owner rate is 18 percent.
"The Cochise County Humane Society has not contacted us with any concerns they may have. She (Mayer) had made no attempt to contact me, but has sent emails to our City Council and made false accusations. I don't appreciate that," he said.
Cochise County Humane Society President Glenn Baxter said, "I apologize for the misinformation quoted by our zealous volunteer."
Weaver said, "We hold our animals as long as we can, sometimes six months, trying to adopt them out. We will also send them to other shelters if they have room. The humane officers have done an excellent job."
"The animals are turned out in the yard (for exercise) and the kennels are clean," Weaver said.
He added that the Cochise County Adult Probation participants have helped by doing the big weekly cleanings at the shelter for community service hours.
"We appreciate their help. Volunteers are also welcome, but they must have a background check," he said.
The Arizona Range News is contributing 10 percent of the advertising revenues from the "adopt-a-pet pages" in the June 10 issue to the Willcox Animal Shelter.
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