The Oak Ridge Animal Shelter on Belgrade Road is pictured above.
The Anderson County Operations Committee has endorsed setting up a task force to examine the possibility of an animal shelter in the county, a press release said.
That should be good news for Oak Ridge, where there has been at least some concern about the housing of animals from outside Oak Ridge at the city’s animal shelter and the costs of doing so.
“Anderson County has had a strong, long-standing relationship with the Oak Ridge Animal Shelter over the years and continues that solid, working partnership,” Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank said in a press release. “However, as their shelter has moved more towards the housing and adoption of animals, the available contracted space for county animals has diminished.
“There have been two occasions where the Oak Ridge shelter was closed, and there are times of overcapacity in Oak Ridge when, fortunately, we were able to partner with the Roane County animal shelter to house animals. Simply put, there have been times when there is just no room.”
The press release said the idea of the task force to study a possible shelter in the county is due to “increasing needs and a changing environment.”
“We appreciate both officials in Oak Ridge as well as Roane County, but we also realize a long-term solution is needed for Anderson County,†Frank said. “In the short term, the county Budget Committee has authorized $25,000 for the construction of a small housing facility modeled after the facility operated by the City of Norris. This facility will serve to comply with state guidelines regarding minimum statutory holding requirements as a way to address some of the overcrowding in the Oak Ridge shelter and keep animals in Anderson County if a pet is lost.”
The Anderson County Commission will take up this recommendation at its regular meeting on Tuesday, February 17. It was on the agenda this past Monday night at a meeting of the Operations Committee.
Meanwhile, the press release said, animals picked up by Anderson County Animal Control officers will continue to be transported to either the Oak Ridge or Roane County facility.
Anderson County has two animal control officers, Brian Porter and Jimmy Miller.
Taking the lead on the Task Force are Frank and county commissioners Theresa Scott and Robin Biloski, who has devoted many hours to animal control in Anderson County in her position as county commissioner, the press release said. The Task Force will take shape over the next few weeks and anyone interested in submitting ideas or volunteering in the effort is encouraged to call Biloski, Frank, or Scott.
Sandi Goldberg says
Wonderful idea! Too many animals don’t get to stay long enough at an over crowded shelter to give them their best opportunity for adoption due to space limitations! And please, spay and neuter so there aren’t so many homeless needing adoption!
Ellen Smith says
This is good news for both city and county. Probably because Oak Ridgers are animal lovers, for many years we have opened the doors of our city shelter to house animals from the county, even though space in our shelter is limited — and the cost of housing county animals has exceeded the county’s reimbursements to the city. Hopefully, a county shelter will increase county residents’ awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering pets, as well as keeping them vaccinated. (Oak Ridge officials believe that the recent canine distemper outbreaks started with animals brought in from the county.)
Denny Phillips says
I live in the “county” and my animals are spayed, neutered and vaccinated.
We have shoes and indoor plumbing as well.
Eileen Slater says
I also live in the “county” where I operate a private shelter/sanctuary for dogs and cats (NOAH Companion Animal). Five of seven of my very devoted, somewhat underpaid staff live in the “county.” And our interactions with concerned citizens on animal issues don’t break along “county”-Oak Ridge lines. I think your comments may be a bit gratuitous.
Denny Phillips says
It should also be noted that a passport or temporary visa is not required to drive from Outer Drive to Marlow.
I imagine that a great number of the animals that are dumped on Key Springs, Bacon Springs and other areas as well as strays wandering originate from Oak Ridge which means that those “county people” are paying the City of Oak Ridge to store animals that belong to Oak Ridge residents.
Of course as one of those “county people”, I don’t mind that because I am aware that Oak Ridge is in Anderson County (mostly) and that OR residents pay county property taxes.
Eileen Slater says
City officials seem bent on firmly delineating Oak Ridge vs. Anderson County. Ms. Smith’s commentary is not unique, unfortunately. Witness the recent street sign at the top of Key Springs Rd. leading into Marlow: END OAK RIDGE STREET AND ROW MAINTENANCE. Can’t be answering so many calls from us county people who are too ignorant to know that, although that road is clearly shown to be in the OR city limits on any map, the city turned the road over to Anderson County a few years ago when there were too many demands for improvement. (And the county did indeed make welcome improvements.)
With population growth in the Marlow area, Key Springs Rd. has become quite busy. Few Oak Ridge residents may not need access to Marlow, but Marlow residents wanting to do business in Oak Ridge — well, the city is not that welcoming, are they?
Terry Pfeiffer says
Eileen and Denny, I believe you see insults where none existed. The city shelter is the only option for the county… that’s all I believe Ellen was saying. Certainly county citizens are caring pet owners as well. Ms. Slater is a perfect example of someone who cares. But trying to pick fights where no insults were intended doesn’t do anyone any good.
Denny Phillips says
I believe you see fight-picking where none exists.
Simply pointing out the fact that those under compensated animal housings for animals caught in county areas like Marlow, Claxton and Elza Gate are often dumped or stray animals from Oak Ridge.
I’m not exactly sure what “Hopefully, a county shelter will increase county residents’ awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering pets, as well as keeping them vaccinated. (Oak Ridge officials believe that the recent canine distemper outbreaks started with animals brought in from the county.)” means if not meant to imply that county residents are lax in those areas.
I will note that Marlow was the home to one of the first practicing veterinarians in Tennessee (Dr. Kyle) long before Oak Ridge ever had a vet, and as a semi-agrarian community many county residents take animal vaccination not only as a way to keep the family dog or cat healthy, but as a core regimen of their very livelihood.