Animal Group’s Proposal is Rejected

State’s Largest Animal Agency is Unable to Accept
Bullitt County’s Counter-Offer

July 20, 2006 (Louisville, Ky.) The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) will not be taking over management of the Bullitt County animal shelter, announcing today that it is unable to accept Bullitt County government’s counter-offer.

In May, KHS submitted an annual contract proposal to operate the Bullitt County animal shelter for $85,000 that also stipulated a need to change key animal ordinances in that county. Recently, Bullitt County Fiscal Court rejected the proposal, offering to pay the animal group $75,000, while also refusing to make the proposed ordinance changes.

According to KHS President-CEO Lori Kane Redmon, the non-profit animal organization is unable to negotiate on the contract amount. “Taking into account our experience in other rural counties and the specific needs of Bullitt County, the Kentucky Humane Society’s proposal was based on our providing a high level of quality animal care, on which we’re unwilling to compromise,” Redmon explained. “Being a private, non-profit agency requires us to be good custodians of our donated dollars, making it impossible for us to subsidize a government facility at the expense of the other animals in our care.”

KHS is willing to continue providing relief to Bullitt County, however, by taking animals and placing them up for adoption, as capacity allows and at no cost to the county, in order to help alleviate overcrowding at the shelter.

The rejected ordinance changes proposed by KHS were 1.) Eliminating the mandatory seven-day hold time on owner-relinquished animals, 2.) Reducing the stray hold-time from seven days to five days, both in accordance with Kentucky Revised Statues, and 3.) A spay-neuter incentive via a revised license fee structure. KHS considers these changes necessary for operational efficiency, disease management and population control purposes.

After Bullitt County Animal Rescue (BCAR) terminated its contract to operate the county animal shelter on April 15 due to funding problems, KHS approached the county after being contacted by numerous concerned Bullitt County residents. Since April, KHS has been making regular visits to the Bullitt County animal shelter to relieve overcrowding by taking as many adoptable pets as possible, while also providing humane euthanasia services when necessary.

Henry, Spencer and Trimble counties contract KHS to handle animal ordinance enforcement and sheltering services in those respective counties. The contracts for each county are based on population and services offered. For more information on the Kentucky Humane Society, call (502) 366-3355.

The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) is a private, non-profit (501-C 3) supported entirely by private donations . Founded in 1884, KHS is the oldest and largest animal welfare agency in the state. As the area’s number one resource for pets and pet services, KHS is dedicated to improving the welfare of companion animals.

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