Baltimore County Executive Proposes Changes at Animal Shelter

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz announced this week several initiatives to increase adoptions and decrease euthanasia rates at the Baltimore County Animal Control shelter.

Kamenetz said in a statement released Thursday that his proposal to change that includes the following:

• Creating two new positions in upcoming budget: volunteer coordinator and foster care coordinator. The budget proposal comes out in April.
• Adding two satellite offices for spaying and neutering services, one in the east and another in the western part of the county, to open by the end of the summer. This will make the services more accessible to all, as the animal control facility where these are offered is in Baldwin, most convenient to those in north county.
• Unveiling of a new Facebook page run by the county’s animal shelter to promote adoption of its animals.

He also announced a partnership between Baltimore County and BARCS, in which the Baltimore City shelter would act in an advisory role to help facilitate the lifesaving efforts in Baltimore County.

The Baltimore County Animal Services changes announced this week would cost $250,000, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Currently the county is working on construction of a new $6.5 million facility which will open next to the existing shelter by the fall. A quarantine area with its own HVAC system will be part of the design, preventing the spread of illness and parasites, county officials say.

The group “Reform Baltimore County Animal Services” said the changes were “music to our ears,” after months of taking action to help save animals from euthanasia, including protests in downtown Towson; creating an online petition that has gotten nearly 5,000 signatures; and launching a Facebook page demanding reform at the facility to promote adoptions. The ACLU filed a complaint in the past year on behalf of concerned individuals and the grou regarding a violation of First Amendment rights, as they relate in particular to photographing animals and conditions at the shelter to promote adoptions and wellness.

See Also:

• Baltimore County Animal Control Nearly Kills Microchipped Dog
• Unusual Pets Keep Animal Shelter on Its Toes

Screenshot from Baltimore County Government/YouTube video for Animal Services.