The contract connection between the Lee County Humane Society and Lee County ended Oct. 18 begging the question, who's going to let the dogs out?
The nearly two-decade long relationship between the county and the society is nothing more than the average contractual one similar to cable and internet services and roadwork.
The humane society's relationships with the cities of Opelika and Auburn have not changed.
"We looked at our contracts and what we found was we were not getting paid what it cost to hold the animals for seven days," said Bobbi Yeo, Lee County Humane Society executive director.
The stray-hold is a state-mandated seven days an animal is kept in holding until rescued or adopted, after that time the animal is disposed of in any lawful manner, Yeo said.
"The Humane Society declined to accept a renewal of our existing contract at level funding," said Bill English, Lee County Commission chairman. "On the last day of the year, they proposed a new contract with less favorable terms for the county and a 20 percent increase in cost to the county. When asked, they replied that the terms were non-negotiable. They left us no choice but to meet our statutory obligation in another manner."
The county commission allocated $127,923 last year for the society. The society asked the commission for $154,091 this year. The overall contract increase was 14 percent.
English said they asked for more money, even though the society reduced their available service hours to the county and removed the county's indemnification.
"The fees they provided were nowhere near the most basic cost of that service we provide," Yeo said.
Yeo said the Society's figures were based on the quantity of animals brought in by the county versus that of the cities.
"It's just an allocation, a pro-rated allocation based on activity with us over the past several months," Yeo said.
Yeo said the biggest issue the society was having was subsidizing the funds with donor funds, which she said is unacceptable due to its status as a tax-payer obligation.
English said the Animal Control Division will continue operations as before, but will deliver the animals to different facilities.
"We are exploring alternate methods for housing and possible euthanasia in the future," English said.
Animals collected by the ACD are currently being taken to approximately 25 different Lee County veterinarians.
English said they are not identifying those veterinarians until the Commission has established a long-term solution.
"I believe those vets are giving very good care, and they are invested in re-homing animals at the end of the seven days," Yeo said.
In October, 35 percent of the animals picked up were euthanized.
In additon, 15 percent were adopted, according to English.
As of now, neither entity intend to reunite.
The Lee County Humane Society celebrates 40 years next year.
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