City to take over animal shelter ops
By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
In a surprise move to the supporters of McKinley County’s only non-reservation open intake shelter — McKinley County Humane Society — the City of Gallup terminated the longstanding contract, effective Oct. 27.
The City of Gallup notified the MCHS, located at 1273 Balok Street, of the termination Sept. 25.
According to a Sept. 29 press release, the City took this step in response to the humane society’s ongoing and unresolved operational problems. Officials also consulted with the city/county Animal Control Authority for feedback on the issues.
The ACA released its own Sept. 30 statement detailing some of the reasons it chose to terminate the shelter’s contract.
“Over the past year, the Authority’s Board has tried to foster a cooperative relationship between Animal Control and the Humane Society regarding the animals in the Society’s care, but without success,” the press release states. “The number of parvo outbreaks among animals in the Society’s custody has increased by 400% compared to last year. There has been a disregard on the Society’s part for veterinary guidelines aimed at ensuring animal safety, a notable increase in euthanasia rates, and little transparency or accountability for the use of public funds the Society receives.”
The city has planned and will execute a transition of shelter operations that it says will assure the unabated continuation of all shelter functions. Current employees of the Humane Society are being offered continued employment; shelter volunteers can continue in their roles; displaced animals will continue to receive shelter and care; and fostering and adoption, and veterinary services, will continue;as with all other shelter functions.
In short, ACA says the shelter plans to continue with current operations, while striving to improve daily operations.
“This step was not only necessary, but will result in an improved shelter and improved and more efficient coordination between animal control and shelter operations,” City Manager Frank Chiapetti Jr. stated in the Sept. 29 press release.
Meanwhile, City Councilor Sarah Piano, Dist. 3, voiced her support for the animal shelter.
In an interview with the Sun, she said that some employees told her that the shelter killed 20-30 animals a week due to parvo outbreaks and other concerns.
“When you’re killing 20-30 animals a week due to issues at the shelter, that is not what we want and I think that is a huge concern,” she said. “We don’t want that to continue.”
The shelter’s current Executive Director Asia Ortega didn’t respond to the Sun’srequest for an interview, but shelter staff did post a response to the termination on Facebook Sept. 29.
“For decades, we’ve been a place of safety and second chances, reuniting pets with families, providing medical care, and placing thousands of animals into loving homes,” the post states. “We are deeply grateful for your support — you’ve saved countless lives.”
