Berrien County Animal Control has gotten some recommendations for improving its operations from a consultant who was in town this year. Speaking to the Berrien County Board of Commissioners Thursday, animal shelter manager Ashley Herr said Outcomes for Animals observed shelter operations and suggested some changes to the hours.
“She thinks that us being open in the evenings and on the weekends would be a better motivator for people to come in and adopt from us and take animals out of our shelter because people are at work from 9 to 5 versus coming in the evenings when they have free time, their kids are out of school, and they have more leeway to say, ‘Hey, let’s go to the animal shelter and see what they have.’”
Herr said she was told the high intake at the shelter is something that’s not unique to Berrien County.
“It’s just the national standard right now. Everyone’s experiencing more stray animals, more owner surrenders because people can’t afford their pets.”
Herr was also advised to increase her staff, with the consultant saying Berrien County Animal Control has the smallest staff of any county she’s inspected. One thing that impressed the visitor was the existing staff, as she commended its dedication to the welfare of the animals.
