Citizens young and old have rallied to save the Lincoln County Animal Shelter from closing to the public on July 1 because of budget cuts, which would mean that many cats and dogs would be euthanized. Five-year-old Kaiden Deckard has been selling hand printed cards at Waldport Video for a $1 apiece because he “wants to do his part” according to his mom. (Courtesy photo)

Motivated by the proposed budget cuts to the county animal shelter, a group of concerned citizens has formed the nonprofit organization Friends of the Lincoln County Animal Shelter (FOLCAS) to keep the shelter open.

The cuts proposed in the Lincoln County budget would eliminate four and a half positions at the shelter, which will close to the public on July 1.

Cats will no longer be accepted and dogs will be held for three days (with no public access), then euthanized, unless space is found in already overcrowded shelters elsewhere. FOLCAS formed to develop alternatives to this scenario for animals in Lincoln County.

Board Members of this new non-profit are: Patty Burke, Waldport, President; Bill Humes, Waldport (Vice President), Joyce Jensen, Otter Rock (Treasurer), Emily DeHuff, Newport (Secretary), Erica Fruh (Newport), and Charles Hurty, DVM, (Newport).

FOLCAS board members plan to work with Lincoln County’s citizens, pet owners, county commissioners, shelter staff and the sheriff’s department to create alternatives that would keep the shelter open, vibrant, and progressively managed. However, these goals take time to put into action. FOLCAS is seeking emergency funding from the public and the county to provide a “bridge” that retains the current shelter staff and keeps the shelter open while other funding and management structures are established.

“We must find a way to retain the experienced shelter staff we have now for a transition year in order to shift gears,” said Burke. “Our animal shelter should be insulated from this kind of disruption, which only costs the lives of our companion animals and does not meet the social values and desires of the public regarding what kind of animal control and shelter services should be available in our county.”

There are other sources of support for the Lincoln County Animal Shelter. Another local nonprofit, the Central Coast Humane Society (CCHS), raises funds to assist with spay-neuter programs, education and outreach and to provide funds for training and medical assistance at the shelter. Both the shelter and the CCHS have created special “Save the Shelter” accounts. Revenues from those accounts will go to FOLCAS to help form a foundation for ongoing funding and a long-term solution to staff and operate the shelter

“In these tough economic times, government and citizens can come forward to create innovative solutions to meet our community goals,” said FOLCAS vice president Humes. “In this case, many citizens have stepped up. We are asking the county to recognize this community response and provide time for FOLCAS and the public to respond in kind with a workable alternative.”

Board Treasurer Joyce Jenson says, “Losing experienced staff and closing the door to innovative options for animal control and sheltering will cost the county much more in the long run.”

FOLCAS will be meeting with the Lincoln County Commissioners and Sheriff Dennis Dotson on Tuesday, June 2 to review both short and long-term proposals to keep the county Animal Shelter fully staffed and open to the public after the proposed budget cuts take effect on July 1.

The final Lincoln County Budget Committee meeting is Wednesday, June 3 at 6 p.m. at the County Courthouse in Newport at 6 p.m. The committee will hear public input on the proposed budget before approving it and sending to the county commissioners for adoption.

For more information, contact FOLCAS at: PO Box 2264, Newport, OR 97365, or email FOLCAS2009@yahoo.com.