Group works to improve Bay animal kennel
On behalf of the Friends of the Bay Village Kennel, I would like to introduce our group to the West Shore community.
My husband, Tom, and I, along with John and Ruth Glasmire, met with Animal Control Officer Diana Fife and Police Chief Dave Wright to discuss how we could help ACO Fife with the needs of the kennel since Bay, like most cities, is experiencing a recession-based budget crunch.
Observations and discussions have included the following items for the existing kennel: (1.) Insulation, (2.) Electrical upgrade, (3.) New air conditioning & heating wall unit, (4.) Inexpensive wind breaks that cut heat loss when the dog doors are open, (5.) Expand/build a storage facility since storage space at the police station is limited.
Since the city budget does reflect donations that have been made but not spent on the kennel, we would like to see these funds allocated this coming year to the facility while continuing to raise awareness to meet if not exceed the money needed to make the Bay Village kennel a better operated building.
The 2011 budget for the city of Bay Village was passed with the Animal Control Officer position intact. We appreciate the administration and members of city council retaining this important safety position in our city.
In recent print media publications and public meeting minutes, Mayor Debbie Sutherland has said the city is always looking for ways to be more efficient. We would like to encourage our city leaders to aggressively pursue grants for the Bay Village ACO and expenses along with other programs.
Our mission and objectives are to supplement our Animal Control Officer's core responsibilities with privately funded enhancements that include such things as funds for medical needs, spaying, neutering, adoption and building renovation.
To that end, our group actively pursues material donations (crates, food, forever homes, etc.) as well as monetary donations. Please look for us at future Bay Village events or visit our website: www.friendsofbayvillagekennel.com.
We look forward to your friendship and support. Thank you.
– Janet and Tom Kauker; Ruth and John Glasmire; Nancy Brown; 1,394 currently licensed dogs in Bay Village, along with all other domestic pets and their family members