Bay kennel advocates seek public meeting

Regarding the ongoing conversation about the status of the Bay Village kennel, the Friends of the Bay Village Kennel (FOBVK) would like to point out a few things that may not be known to many members of our community.

Members of the FOBVK met with Mayor Sutherland and another city representative in June 2011 to discuss possibilities for the kennel and its operation. While the meeting seemed encouraging, the mayor did not offer a proposal at that time, instead remarking that it looked like the city and FOBVK could work together at an appropriate site within the city. One week later, city administration eliminated the position of Animal Control Officer and, in essence, closed the kennel. Since then, dogs are admitted, but only until they can be picked up by the county kennel or returned to their owners. Cats are not permitted in the Bay kennel.

FOBVK attended a city council meeting on Oct. 3, 2011, and read a letter, addressed to city administration, in which FOBVK offered to help manage the kennel, on a voluntary basis, in cooperation with a city liaison, and that FOBVK had secured funding from an anonymous donor for the construction of a new kennel. FOBVK did not receive a response to this letter or a proposal from the city until the November 2012 city council meeting in which the Mayor declined to publicly discuss it.

FOBVK cannot lease property and manage the kennel. This is a city responsibility. Animal control is an important part of administering a city and providing service to its residents. FOBVK is still very interested in funding a new kennel’s construction and in volunteering time to assist with its management and operation. FOBVK feels that a public discussion on this matter is required.

FOBVK will continue to use its graciously donated funds to help care for recovered animals and to help with medications, spaying and neutering, vetting and in attempting to find adoptive homes for these animals. The primary contact, however, is the Bay Village police department, should an animal be recovered and need shelter or veterinary care.

– Tom Kauker, Bay Village
Friends of the Bay Village Kennel

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Volume 5, Issue 21, Posted 10:14 AM, 10.15.2013