Sumter County continues to improve its Animal Services Division with a software update and maintaining improvements in its live-release rate.
Last month, the county released 89 percent of the dogs and cats it received, close to the 90-percent release rate of no-kill shelters.
Although the county has met or nearly met no-kill standards for five months, commissioners refuse to designate the shelter as no-kill to the chagrin of animal activists, who continue to attend meetings and criticize the operation.
In April, Sumter County took in 149 animals at its shelter and euthanized 14, including seven dogs that were deemed aggressive. Twenty-nine dogs were reclaimed by owners and 73 dogs and cats were transferred to the Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County for adoption.
A major factor in the county’s success has been its trap-vaccinate-and-release program for feral cats that began in January. In April, 28 cats were processed and returned to their neighborhoods. A plan also was implemented to transfer pregnant cats to the Humane Society until the kittens are delivered.
Sixty-four animals were vaccinated for rabies and division staff members completed a training session on animal diseases and other topics.
At their meeting Tuesday night, commissioners were told that a Sheriff’s Office investigation into animal services practices resulted in a recommendation of no prosecution. The investigation was launched after animal activists charged last fall that the county was violating the law in its animal treatment.
Commissioners also approved a contract with Jones Edmunds & Associates to add Cityworks software for the Animal Services Division. The software, which is used by other county departments, will help with compiling monthly statistics and other tasks.
Commissioner Doug Gilpin praised the division for its progress.
“Please keep up the good work,” he said. “The good citizens of Sumter County appreciate the effort.”
Commissioner Steve Printz said he was glad to see the positive outcome of the investigation.
“It was a nine-month slugfest of accusations and innuendo,” he said. “It reinforced in my mind the work that Animal Services has done and continues to do.”