St. Thomas Dog Blog

Well, Bear and Bosco, the recently dumped dogs, didn’t actually go to this past Monday’s City Council meeting but their presence was felt.   St. Thomas has pledged to look at the operations of the City Animal Shelter and make it more “user-friendly” for the animals and the people who need its services.  There has been a committee struck to assess and recommend changes at the Shelter.  It will be comprised of City Aldermen, Shelter staff and representatives from the four animal rescue groups in town.  At the meeting itself, changes were made.  Approval was given for flea and upper respiratory treatment to be given to animals that need it so that they are healthy enough to be fostered or adopted sooner.  Approval was given to extend shelter hours later in the evenings and on weekends so that it is easier for people to get there to see if their lost pets are there or to adopt one.  Approval was also given to allow community members to volunteer at the Shelter during and outside office hours so that there is greater access for the public to come in and so that staff can focus on caring for the animals’ needs.  Mention was made of the dog dumped at Dalewood and the one left tied to the Shelter fence.  No mention was made of the surrender fee and circumstances in which it might be waived.  But, all in all, Bosco and Bear caused a lot of talk and some real action to be taken in City Hall.    They done good!  Now, I hope a home for each of them is next.