Brooke County developing foster program for animal shelter
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WELLSBURG -- Citing concerns about overcrowding and a desire to improve visibility, Brooke County officials are drafting plans to implement a foster program at the county animal shelter.
Prosecuting Attorney Allison Cowden, during Tuesday's meeting of the Brooke County Commission, announced she had developed a draft proposal -- including an application and foster agreement documents -- for review in an effort to establish such a program.
Cowden complimented the efforts of the shelter's staff, particularly Director Donna DeJaro and Assistant Director Abbie Pelletier, for raising the profile of the shelter. She explained that they have been taking in more animals in search of homes -- to the point that they currently are five animals over the shelter's capacity.
"We need to start getting some things in place to get some of the animals out of there without going to the most restrictive alternative," Cowden said, noting a foster program would help alleviate some of the overflow. "I think this would be a good first step."
In addition to the foster program, Cowden and other officials are hoping to increase the number of volunteers for the shelter. The shelter has only four employees, who often are busy with the immediate needs of the animals.
"We need to start getting people out in the community doing adoption events and those kinds of things," Cowden said.
Commissioner Christina White indicated the animal shelter used to have a number of volunteers, but the group has dwindled over the years.
"A lot of the people who used to help in the shelter have gotten older," White said.
DeJaro noted they have had one high school student, a participant in the Honors Program, assist during the summer months.
"If we could have more like that, it would be great," she said.
DeJaro also noted she has been in communication with some area businesses, including Tractor Supply in Follansbee, about hosting adoption events and received positive responses, but it's still a matter of having people to staff them.
Foster programs and the use of volunteers are available at other animal shelters and humane societies in the area and have been successful in increasing the number of adoptions.
"I believe that’s why Jefferson County is so successful," Commission President Tom Diserio said.
The Jefferson County Animal Shelter in Wintersville and the Hancock County Animal Shelter in New Cumberland are both managed by the Jefferson County Humane Society, a nonprofit organization. JCHS officials reported in May that canine adoptions in Hancock County had increased by 50% since the organization took over management in November.