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• Spring 2012

Archived Issues

Kristy Ritter, Outreach Coordinator
Halfway Home Rescue, Collins MO

Q:  Is the pound/animal control the same thing?

A:  The city pound is known as Springfield-Greene Animal Control Facility.  Then there is the Humane Society which is a completely different place.

Q:  What is the purpose of the shelter?

A:  The purpose is for the safety and health of the citizens of Springfield.  Animal Control is run by the Health Department.  They handle stray animals, bite cases, pit bull registration, feral animals, wild animals and much more.

Q:  Who works at the shelter? (or volunteers)

A:  There are currently 10 employees that are employed by the city.  6 Animal Control Officers, 1 Shelter Manager, 1 Animal Control Supervisor, and 2 shelter workers.  The city does not allow volunteers to work at the shelter on a daily basis due to liability and insurance purposes.  During special events such as the shelter makeover, volunteers were allowed.

Q:  How do dogs end up in the shelter?

A:  Animals end up at the shelter when they are strays, bite cases, or even as owner surrenders (when the owner no longer wants the animal). 

Q:  Who own/operates the shelter?

A:  The shelter is run and operated by the City of Springfield.

Q:  When people are looking for a lost pet, what do they do?

A:  When people lose their pets, unfortunately they first think that their pet would of been found and brought to the Humane Society.  In most cases that is not what happens.  Much of Springfield does not realize that there is a city run animal control and they don't look for their pet there. 
 

Q:  If someone's pet is at Animal Control, how to they go about getting it back?

A:  Animal Control is located at 4002 Farmer Ave. and is open to the public M-F during the following hours: 8:30 to 9:30, 12-1 and 4-5.  Weekends is from 8:30-9:30 and 3:30 to 4:30.  Owners of lost animals can go at those times and look for their pet.  If the pet is there, they can reclaim it.  There are fees for reclaiming a pet as listed on the Animal Control website: www.petfinder.com/shelters/MO544.html

Q:  How long is the animal's stay at the shelter and what happens afterward?

A:  All animals are held for 5 days which much include a full weekend per state law.  After the "stray" hold is over, the dog is available for rescues to save, but that is not always the case.  Rescues work tirelessly to save as many as possible, but not all animals make it out of the pound and some are put to sleep.  For those that do make it out, they are taken into rescue groups, given the proper medical attention/vetting as required and placed for adoption.  Although at this time the pound does not provide direct adoptions to the public, if you see an animal on one of our lists and wish to adopt them, please work with rescue partner Halfway Home, Latichia Duffy 417-693-7555 or crsdke@aim.com

Q:  Any other misconceptions that you think the public needs to know?

A:  I think the biggest misconception is people not spaying or neutering their pets.  Doing so will help control the pet population and make a step forward to a no-kill nation where so many lost/unwanted animals pay the price with their lives.  In terms of misconception about the pound, its the fact that the public just doesn't know it exists.  The public needs to know that it exists and could possibly find their lost family member there when lost.

TAME would also like to say "Congratulations, Kristy!" for being chosen as Project Puppy's 2011 Volunteer of the Year recipient.