Tag Archive for: #granvillecountyanimalshelterfriends

TownTalk: Vance and Granville Co. Animal Shelters Are Full

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The animal shelters in Vance and Granville Counties are full and need help!

If you enjoying volunteering and helping animals, then this announcement is for you.

For complete details and audio click play.

Matt Katz, the Granville County Animal Management Director, says the new Granville County Shelter needs to pick up a few volunteers, especially right now for summer. Katz said he and his staff are “looking for some dog walkers and cat snugglers.”

Because of some of the normal strains of summer, like people taking vacations or moving their family to a new location now that school is out, the new Granville County Animal Shelter is getting full. The new shelter houses, for example, almost 20 more dog kennels than the old shelter but is filling up.

Turns out in texting with Brandon Boyd, president of Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society, the Vance County Animal Shelter is full too –  Code Red!  In May of 2020, the Vance County Shelter was empty.  Boyd texted, “SUMMER TIME!!!  Every June and July this happens and rescues and adoptions slow down.  It’s two tough months always.”

The chief of Vance County Animal Services, Frankie Nobles, texted as well, “A lot of surrenders ands strays.  Adoptions are maintaining about the same.  Still have our regular volunteers coming.”

Katz said by phone some of the main volunteers at the Granville County Animal Shelter are out for a while volunteering on another project, and he said, “We really need to get the dogs out and walk them.” It’s better for the animals both large and small.

Unlike last year when covid was the main topic, this year summer plans, things opening up and travel are cutting down volunteers while more animals are being surrendered, or in come cases, even just left behind as people move to new towns for new jobs.

Last year when families and children were trapped inside more, fostering and rescues were in high demand, as not only was it good to do but it also provided some relief. That tide has turned and more work needs to be done now with fewer folks.

If you’d like to help and volunteer in Granville County, please call 919 693 6749. Or email, animal.shelter@granvillecounty.org.  See more @granvillecountyanimalshelterfriends on Facebook.

Call the Vance County Animal Shelter at (252) 492-3136.  See more @RCAPS.Henderson on Facebook.

Granville County Animal Shelter Has Historic Low 6 Percent Euthanasia Rate in 2020

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It takes a good amount of human collaboration to successfully reduce an animal shelter’s euthanasia rate – just ask Granville Animal Services Manager Matt Katz. But that hard work paid off in 2020, and resulted in 1,927 animals’ lives being saved.

Last year, 2,050 animals came through the animal shelter, Katz said in his January update to the Granville County Board of Commissioners. The 1,927 animals saved translates to a low 6 percent euthanasia rate, which Katz described as “historic.”

“We are thankful and ecstatic for all the support we received in 2020, and are proud to have achieved such a major accomplishment,” he told commissioners.

From shelter staff and volunteers, rescue groups, veterinarians who donate medical care and partnerships with spay/neuter programs, Katz said the team effort paid off in the constant battle to find homes for animals who come to the shelter.

For instance, shelter staff partner with foster families to help kittens become socialized and acclimated to living in a home. This program alone, Katz said, saved the lives of 243 kittens. Shelter volunteers who do everything from walking dogs to socializing kittens provide an invaluable service to support the work of the staff, he added. The growing network of animal rescue groups forming partnerships with the local shelter means that animals may have a better chance at adoption. Of all the animals that came through the shelter last year, Katz said 1,170 – 57 percent – left through animal rescue groups.

“We are so proud our staff and volunteers for their hard work in making this happen,” said Granville County Board of Commissioners Chair Sue Hinman, who also serves as liaison for the Animal Advisory Committee. “We thank them for their compassion for all the animals cared for at the shelter, and appreciate the support of the community in helping them reach this goal,” she said.

The animal shelter moved to its new location in 2020, and Katz said the extra kennel space and healthier environment are definite positives. Public support for animal control policies, increases in funding from the county and public support all contribute to the success the shelter has had in reducing the euthanasia rate. Healthier, more socialized animals translates into more adoptable animals.

When donations come in from the community, the shelter can free more funds to spay or neuter animals, which addresses the problem of overpopulation.