A signed contract between the city of Lincoln and Washington County was filed with the county clerk's office last week and Lincoln Pound Pals soon will be able to transport unclaimed dogs to the Washington County animal shelter.
"We're thrilled that the city has agreed to this," said Marilyn Miles, president of Lincoln Pound Pals board of directors. "Let's get together and get the party started."
Board members first approached aldermen in March proposing a partnership to eliminate euthanasia at the city's animal pound.
In June, Lincoln City Council approved a resolution to authorize separate contracts with the county and Lincoln Pound Pals to help provide animal shelter services to the city.
As part of the agreement between the Pals and the city, the city will hold dogs a minimum of eight days to allow time for animals to be reclaimed by their owners. Lincoln Pound Pals will help to identify and locate the owners of any dogs picked up by the city.
If a dog is not claimed by its owner, then representatives of the volunteer organization will transport the dog to the county facility.
Washington County animal shelter will charge the city of Lincoln $85 per dog but Lincoln Pound Pals has agreed to reimburse the city $66 for each dog. This represents the difference between the city's euthanasia and cremation costs and the county charge.
Miles said the board next will meet with Lincoln's animal control officer, Chris Brumley, to work out details and set up an operating agreement with him.
Lincoln Pound Pals also will start fundraising efforts to raise money to help pay its share of the county shelter costs. One idea is a kissing booth at the Arkansas Apple Festival in October. For $1, people can get a "smooch from a pooch," Miles said.
Collection boxes also will be placed at area businesses.
"All donations will go to save those animals," Miles said. "We want to stop euthanasia absolutely."
Farmers Coop True Value in Lincoln will be a drop-off point for donations. Brumley said items that would help Lincoln pound include dog and cat food, food and water bowls, bedding and disinfectants.
Thursday, Brumley said the city pound did not have any animals. He added that he believes working with the county shelter will help the city in the long run and benefit a lot of people.
Another need, said Miles, will be pet carriers to transport dogs to the county shelter.
Angela Ledgerwood, director of the county animal shelter, said Lincoln is the last small city in the county to sign a contract to bring animals to the shelter. Others include Farmington, Prairie Grove, West Fork, Greenland, Elkins, Johnson, Winslow, Elm Springs and Tontitown.
Farmington, by far, brings the most animals to the shelter, she said. For 2015, Farmington dropped off 101 cats and dogs. Prairie Grove did not bring any.
She said the county shelter prefers that smaller cities first try to find the owner of any animals picked up. The county will hold animals for the cities for five days. After five days, they become the property of the shelter and the county will put them up for adoption.
The county policy says the county can hold them for 45 days for adoption but the length of time for most is 14-18 days, Ledgerwood said. Some are adopted, others are sent to rescue organizations.
"We have not euthanized for space in over two years," she said.
The only animals that have been euthanized were ones that were considered dangerous or potentially dangerous or had a medical condition that could not be resolved.
For more information or to become involved with Lincoln Pound Pals, contact Marilyn Miles at 479-871-4012. The Pals also has a Facebook page.
General News on 08/24/2016