Animal activist Angie Fox Tuesday asked Sumter County commissioners to meet with her about designating the county animal shelter as no-kill.
While Fox suggested they work together, her supporters were confrontational, shouting “shame on you” on their way out of the meeting and trying to interrupt commissioners after the public forum portion of the meeting ended.
Besides the no-kill designation, Fox, head of Lost Pets of the Villages, and other activists also want the county to allow volunteers to help in the shelter.
Sumter County has made significant improvements to its shelter operation since the activists began attending board meetings about 1½ years ago. But commissioners have resisted their demands to designate the shelter as no-kill and to allow volunteers.
No-kill shelters try to ensure that 90 percent of the animals are given live release through adoptions. Sumter County has repeatedly met or nearly met the no-kill standard over the past year.
“Going to a no-kill shelter is a county effort,” Fox said. “I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish when we all work together.”
Oren Miller, Fox’s husband, spoke in her support.
“Other counties are going no-kill,” he said. “I can’t comprehend why it can’t be done in Sumter County.”
When commissioners did not react positively to Fox’s request, her supporters turned surly.
Commissioner Steve Printz said the county has achieved an 85 percent live-release rate in 12 of the past 14 months and achieved a 90 percent live-release rate in six of the months. Four months were greater than 90 percent.
“We’re beginning to achieve success as defined by the 90 percent rate,” he said.
Commissioner Doug Gilpin said he did not want to work with people who spent taxpayer dollars by requesting an investigation of the shelter by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office that found no wrongdoing.
“All that time, we’ve sat here and listened to a lot of mean-spirited comments,” he said. “Our leadership is doing what we feel is the common sense path to success.”
The number of euthanized cats was reduced substantially, thanks to a feral cat program that began over a year ago. Feral cats are captured, vaccinated and sterilized, then released back into their neighborhoods.
The county contracts with a local veterinarian to give the vaccinations and check the welfare of stray animals.
In January, commissioners approved a plan to raise money in coordination with the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce that would be used to improve conditions at the shelter. Gilpin donated two acoustic guitars signed by country music stars to the cause.
