GOVERNMENT New animal shelter facility in sight for Montgomery County
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
previously reported. Since then, Keough said he has made several improvements to the existing facility, including hiring three new positions—a live-release manager, a foster coordinator and a volunteer coordinator—and an additional veterinarian. “We have good people in place, and from what I have observed, it would be a challenge to find better,” he said. “They just needed the support from the decision-making body of the county gov- ernment to ensure that they have what is needed to do what we have hired them to do.” However, the aging shelter was brought overca- pacity in April after more than 140 animals were seized in cruelty cases, shelter Director Aaron Johnson said. According to the latest records, the save rate in March—the percentage of animals taken in that were not euthanized—was 93.2%. This is down slightly from 94.7% in August, the month prior to Keough taking over. “We have seen very positive results in the things already accomplished,” Keough said. “The team is in place, and although there is still much work to do, the positivity and engagement of the employees and staff is unprecedented. This translates into better service to the community.”
SHELTER IMPROVEMENTS Montgomery County commissioners and County Judge Mark Keough have been working since September to make improvements to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter, including: Hiring 3 new positions + 1 new veterinarian
The Montgomery County Commissioners Court unanimously approved $65,000 to survey facility needs for the Montgomery County Animal Shelter at an April 25 meeting. County Judge Mark Keough said the survey will provide commissioners with a dollar figure to move forward with funding options for a new or renovated facility. “I think we all know [the current building] is a dilapidated, useless facility for an animal shelter,” Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack said during the meeting. “I think we can all agree to that and stipulate that we need a new shelter at some point in the future.” International design company PGAL had already completed a building condition assessment as of the April meeting. According to Keough, the assessment indicated a need for updating natural lighting, a new exhaust system, sound deadening, an updated clinic, new kennels, and finding an adequate work area for employees and volunteers. PGAL representative Paul Bonnette said the needs assessment will look at shelter needs moving forward, which could include plans for a new shelter. County commissioners turned shelter operations over to Keough in September, Community Impact
$20,000 spent on building analysis $65,000 approved in April for needs assessment
Fixing 16 HVAC systems
Replacing 2 animal control vehicles and adding 2 new transport vehicles
AT A GLANCE In March, the Montgomery County Animal Shelter had a
93.2% save rate (percentage of animals not euthanized)
SOURCES: MARK KEOUGH, MONTGOMERY COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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CONROE - MONTGOMERY EDITION • MAY 2023
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