From detaining two-legged offenders to four-legged ones, Platte County Sheriff Mark Owen updated commissioners last week on how the county plans to continue picking up stray animals just after his presentation on the county jail as reported in last week’s Citizen.
For about 30 years, the county has had a relationship with Dr. Kent Jackson of Jackson’s Animal Clinic in Platte City. The clinic’s new ownership, however, has indicated they have no wish to continue the relationship and want the county’s holds out by June 1.
“There was no contract, this was just something Dr. Jackson did for us,” Lt. Mark Cathcart with the sheriff’s office told commissioners at the May 16 meeting.
The Sheriff’s Office is legally required to pick up stray animals for rabies control purposes, and the vet’s withdrawal of the convenient, local service has left the county in the lurch. Due to the long relationship, officers were able to drop off animals to the hold kennels at any time of day or night.
The county is required to hold the animal for seven days while they attempt to locate the owners, which Jackson’s had also helped with. If unclaimed, the animal is assessed for possible adoption and is sent to either the Friends of Parkville Animal Shelter in Parkville or the St. Joseph Animal Shelter in St. Joe. Animals that cannot be adopted or rehabilitated or that are deemed as dangerous are euthanized.
Platte County picks up animals in not only unincorporated Platte County, but also has contracts with the smaller cities in northern Platte County as well as Platte City and Weston. Parkville has FOPAS. Riverside contracts services with Wayside Waifs. The City of Kansas City has its own animal control services through Wayside Waifs.
Housing animals at Jackson’s cost about $40 per day with about 100 animals picked up per year. More than half of those are returned to the owners. The county’s animal control measures are regulated by the Missouri Department of Agriculture.
“Jackson’s did a lot for us at the amount they charged us,” Cathcart said. “They’d keep them longer because they wanted to find their owners, or they’d provide additional care.”
Finding another vet willing to house the animals is a challenge, Cathcart said, because clients don’t want to board pet dogs in what they perceive is the county pound.
Other facilities in the Northland, such as Gladstone and Liberty, are also unable to take on the contract because their own kennels are full.
Cathcart said one of the county’s best options is to open its own dedicated facility. Startup costs would include not only property acquisition and construction, but also a contract with a vet to provide emergency medical services. Options for outdoor facilities – cheapest but least desirable – were outlined, but the better option is an indoor facility with outdoor runs.
“This is a very linked community when it comes to animals and taking care of animals,” Cathcart said. The county has a good reputation with local rescue organizations and hopes to maintain that reputation to continue community partnerships. “If we have a bad reputation, they won’t want to assist us.”
An eight-kennel facility would cost about $70,000 to build and would be on par with facilities in Smithville and other communities.
Owen said finding a place to put the kennel is another challenge, since placing it on existing park land is not an attractive option. The public works facility in Tracy was also considered.
Until a decision on a new facility is made, the county will be forced to erect a temporary kennel for off-hours pickups until the animal could be transported to St. Joseph.