by Adam Shear
WACO - The City of Waco recently announced a partnership with the Humane Society of Central Texas that has some local animal lovers concerned animals at the shelter could be euthanized more frequently.
Humane Society of Central Texas officials say under the new agreement the city would operate the facility as a shelter for an animal for a 72 hour period. If the Humane Society is unable to find those animals a home, a different shelter, a foster family, or a rescue they will face being euthanized.
Officials also say the shelter may close it's doors to people looking to adopt a pet as well and these possibilities have left shelter volunteers furious.
"If the city does decide to euthanize every animal after 72 hours and close [the shelter] for adoptions, I would like every city official to be back there when they are euthanizing and killing 100, 200 dogs and cats," said Christi Clark, a local animal shelter volunteer. "I want [the officials] to hold [the animals] and look into those little eyes and see if they can stomach that."
The city could take full control of the shelter as early as Oct. 1, so in the mean time shelter volunteers are working diligently to get as many dogs and cats adopted or rescued before the city takes over.
"If anything is wrong with [the animal], it's too thin, it's too old, it's [put down]," said Gail Forrest, animal shelter volunteer. "So we didn't have time on our side anyways [before the city took over]. We just have a lot more people that are really stepping it up at the moment."
Many volunteers are hopeful the city will reconsider the possible policies and learn from other Texas cities, who have become no-kill shelters.
"A lot of city run shelters have been very good and effective, like Austin," said Forrest. "I'm sure those people [from the Humane Society of Austin] would gladly come and help."
However, not everyone is convinced Waco city officials will keep an open mind.
"There are all kinds of shelters in the nation that are going no-kill," said Clark. "I don't see why Waco would be going backwards instead of forwards. I want the city council and the city of Waco to wake up, and see what disaster they are creating."
The Waco city manager could not be reached for a comment regarding possible shelter policies.
