News
ENLARGE
The Nevada County Animal Shelter soon could be run by a local advocacy group dedicated to man's furry friends.
The Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal from Sammie's Friends at Tuesday's meeting to run and administer the shelter on McCourtney Road next to the county garbage transfer station.
“Our proposal is to run the shelter, not animal control,” said Sammie's Friends co-founder Cheryl Wicks. She figures that will take about $350,000 annually, which is roughly what the county spends.
A proposal from AnimalSave to only take over the county's spay and neuter services did not meet the full intent of the request for proposals issued last June, County Executive Officer Rick Haffey said.
The impetus for the idea to outsource the shelter was not large cost savings, like he envisioned for the library system when he recommended it be privatized, Haffey said Thursday.
“Budget is always a concern, but this is driven by the intent of the animal support community to run the shelter,” Haffey said. “We wouldn't see a tremendous cost savings, but with their volunteers and support system, there could be cost-containment in the future.”
If the supervisors approve the proposal, the county would then enter into negotiations with Sammie's Friends, Haffey said.
Three shelter workers of the 10 employees in Animal Control would be affected, Wicks said.
One of those employees is full-time, but would be offered a job at the same pay with reduced benefits if Sammie's Friends gets a contract, Wicks said. The other two are part-timers who also would be hired at the same pay; they do not currently receive benefits.
Running the shelter economically is important, but above that, “It's in the best interest of the animals,” Sammie's Friends co-founder Curt Romander said. “That's been the focus since day one, when Cheryl started there as the only volunteer.”
Wicks started the volunteer program at the shelter in 2001 and led it until 2007.
Volunteers will be extremely important to the shelter's future should her group get a contract, Wicks said.
Many people have told her they would volunteer if that happens, she added.
Wicks and Romander co-founded Sammie's Friends in 2004. The nonprofit pays the costs of health care for animals beyond the $100 threshold the county pays. She estimates the group spends about $50,000 a year at the shelter already.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4237.
The Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal from Sammie's Friends at Tuesday's meeting to run and administer the shelter on McCourtney Road next to the county garbage transfer station.
“Our proposal is to run the shelter, not animal control,” said Sammie's Friends co-founder Cheryl Wicks. She figures that will take about $350,000 annually, which is roughly what the county spends.
A proposal from AnimalSave to only take over the county's spay and neuter services did not meet the full intent of the request for proposals issued last June, County Executive Officer Rick Haffey said.
The impetus for the idea to outsource the shelter was not large cost savings, like he envisioned for the library system when he recommended it be privatized, Haffey said Thursday.
“Budget is always a concern, but this is driven by the intent of the animal support community to run the shelter,” Haffey said. “We wouldn't see a tremendous cost savings, but with their volunteers and support system, there could be cost-containment in the future.”
If the supervisors approve the proposal, the county would then enter into negotiations with Sammie's Friends, Haffey said.
Three shelter workers of the 10 employees in Animal Control would be affected, Wicks said.
One of those employees is full-time, but would be offered a job at the same pay with reduced benefits if Sammie's Friends gets a contract, Wicks said. The other two are part-timers who also would be hired at the same pay; they do not currently receive benefits.
Running the shelter economically is important, but above that, “It's in the best interest of the animals,” Sammie's Friends co-founder Curt Romander said. “That's been the focus since day one, when Cheryl started there as the only volunteer.”
Wicks started the volunteer program at the shelter in 2001 and led it until 2007.
Volunteers will be extremely important to the shelter's future should her group get a contract, Wicks said.
Many people have told her they would volunteer if that happens, she added.
Wicks and Romander co-founded Sammie's Friends in 2004. The nonprofit pays the costs of health care for animals beyond the $100 threshold the county pays. She estimates the group spends about $50,000 a year at the shelter already.
To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4237.
