Agenda - Council - 03/25/1986 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

CITY Ot" RAM,qEY ATTENTION: I,I,OYD SCIINELLE~ C1]'¥ M^NAGER I I I I I FROM: GREATER ANOKA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY It is proposed by the Greater Anoka County Humane Society, a private, non-profit corporation of the State of Minnesota, to build and operate a full-service animal shelter facility with- in the County of Anoka, the programs and services of which will be accessible and available to residents of the City of Ramsey. It is requested by the Greater Anoka County Humane Society that the City of Ramsey support the capital development of the propos- ed shelter with a one-time grant in the amount of .50¢ per capita of the City of Ramsey population, in accordance with the provis- ions of Minnesota Animal Welfare Statute 343.11 as amended by H.F. 656, a copy of which is enclosed with this proposal as "Attachment A". Any funds so allocated by the City of Ramsey will be restricted in their use to the capital development bud- get for the proposed facility. RATIONALE I I I I I I I I I As animal populations increase, so does the degree and complex- ity of animal related problems. The Greater Anoka County Humane Society is concerned for the welfare of animals, but also recog- nizes a responsibility to provide necessary programs and services to the general public and municipal governments. We further recognize that a wandering animal, while not responible for its situation, represents a potential menace to public health and safety, and must be controlled. Last year in the seven-coun- ty metro area, more than 80,000 surplus dogs and cats were destroy- ed at public expense and rather than abating, the problem of sur- plus animals shows every indication of becoming worse, especially in Anoka County. There is no facility in Anoka County to address the unwanted animal, and operational shelters in Ramsey and Henne- pin Counties are no longer able to accept all unwanted animals from our county. In light of this situation, more and more animals are simply being abandoned by their owners, becoming a public pro- blem and then eligible for attention by an uncertain system of animal control. A possible solution to animal related problems is a strong, active humane society, capable of meeting these problems head-on. City support of the Greater Anoka County Humane Society shelter is an investment that will be returned many times. A shelter will allow the Society to receive and care for unwanted animals, provide stability to animals control, promote and administer rabies vacc- ination clinics, promote and possibly administer pet licensing, assist with animal abuse investigation, and provide public educa- tion programs for responsible pet ownership.