Sumter County is continuing to improve its animal shelter operations, despite perpetual criticism from animal activists.
County Administrator Bradley Arnold said several procedural changes have been made, including transfer of pregnant cats to the Sumter County Humane Society/SPCA, which handles animal adoptions.
According to the revised procedures, the county may transfer up to 10 dogs and 20 cats to the Humane Society at a time. Biting or aggressive animals as well as those in poor health won’t be transferred.
Arnold told county commissioners Tuesday night that the county also is working to post more pictures of stray animals on its web site.
A procedural memo also spells out the animal shelter processes for trying to identify the owners of stray animals and Humane Society transfers.
In January, the county’s Animal Services Division had a live release rate of 87.3 percent, slightly below the 90 percent level of no-kill shelters.
The higher live release rate was due to a trap-neuter-and-release program for feral cats that began last month. Under the program, the county captures feral cats, vaccinates and sterilizes them, then releases them back into their neighborhoods.
Before animal activists began attending county board meetings six months ago, the county’s live release rate was about 60 percent.
Activists continue to demand a no-kill shelter, but county officials don’t want the designation even though they are close to achieving those numbers.
“We have chosen to remain an open admission shelter,” said County Board Chairman Al Butler. “We are working very hard to get our euthanasia rates down to that (no-kill) level.”
During the public comment period, County Attorney George Angeliadis interrupted four animal activists, terming their comments as inappropriate. One, he said, delivered “slanderous, impertinent remarks.” Butler ruled all four out of order.
Another speaker suggested the county set up an animal advisory committee, but Arnold said it isn’t needed because of the county’s close relationship with the Humane Society.
The county administrator said some of the activists’ suggestions are contrary to the board’s direction, although others could be considered.
“That doesn’t mean we are going to implement every idea,” he said.
