Franklin County Adoption Specialist Faye Hicks says she's proud of how many dogs she's been able to find a home for in the past few years. For 2011, she got their dog euthanasia rate down to 21 percent, the lowest since they’ve been keeping track.
"I feel like we're one of the top in the state,” said Hicks.
Not all shelters have turned in their numbers for 2011 yet, but I checked with the Department of Agriculture on the 2010 numbers and found
- Roanoke City/Roanoke County - 42%
- Bedford County - 41%
- Henry County - 48%
- Franklin County - 24%
Hicks says one of the biggest helps has been now they take a networking approach in working with local groups like the Humane Society, but also out of state groups from as far away as New York.
"Opening it up to volunteers and try to encourage a supportive unit that will work, a coalition of agencies that will work together,” said Hicks.
Hicks has also started using a new computer program, which helps keep details on each dog like "rehabilitated", or “escape artist" for those who try to fly the coop.
"It gives you insight into everything that's happening, like the criteria for if you euthanize an animal, it should be noted why. Was it a healthy animal that was euthanized because of space,” said Hicks.
They've been able to look at those trends and figure out where the problem areas for the shelter are. Being a county-run pound Hicks admits they'll never be a no kill shelter, but says she'll continue to strive for low kill status.
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