(Seguin) — Guadalupe County Sheriff Joshua Ray is making it clear that he’s not stepping away from his animal control program, but he is asking that the county’s taxpayer-funded animal shelter come to an end.
In response to Thursday’s story in the Seguin Daily News, Ray says the story stated that he wanted to end the animal control program, but he says that’s not correct. He says he’s only focused on changing the operation of the animal shelter operated by his department.
Ray says there have been a number of challenges associated with the operation of the shelter, including a rift between the department and volunteers who previously helped work at the shelter. He says operating the shelter is not part of his statutory duties as sheriff, and after speaking with other members of the public, he believes it’s best for the shelter not to be operated by the county.
“Overwhelmingly, the feedback I have gotten from most constituents is they’re not sure that this should be taxpayer-funded, because it is a cause. These animal rights advocates are passionate about their cause of caring for animals. And heck, I have animals. You know, my wife was an animal science major at one point and had aspirations of being a veterinarian. So I don’t think in our entire marriage I’ve ever lived in a house without animals,” said Ray.
The sheriff’s office was criticized by some former volunteers for how the shelter was being managed, which eventually led to them walking away from the facility. Ray says they have made investments in the shelter and that additional plans were in place to expand the facility. However, he says he no longer supports that approach and believes it is time to find a different structure for the operation and management of the shelter.
“Could somebody do this better than we’re doing it? And could they do it with less of an impact on the county taxpayer? When I was campaigning, I talked about a public-private partnership in large part because of research I had done on the topic. A good model of that is the New Braunfels Humane Society and the partnership they have with the City of New Braunfels and Comal County. There is always going to be, more than likely, some aspect of taxpayer funding that’s going to go into it,” said Ray.
Despite his calls for the county to get out of the taxpayer-funded animal shelter business, Ray says he does still plan to operate the department’s animal control program.
“I think the public still is going to have an expectation that we respond to and manage stray dogs that are out in the public. Really, the question comes into play when we seize those dogs — what’s going to happen to them? So under the plan of a public-private partnership, I would still maintain responsibility for what’s traditionally been called animal control officers, now we’re calling animal services, and they will continue to do exactly what they’re doing now. That will not change. Really, what it would come down to in the discussion is where are we going to take these animals when we get them, and what cost is going to be associated with it,” said Ray.
Ray says he believes the best option for the shelter’s future is some form of public-private partnership. He says details are still being worked out, but he believes there is a solution that would improve the overall operation of the shelter while also reducing the burden on taxpayers.
“One model that’s been discussed is continuing to utilize the county animal shelter more as an initial processing and quarantine facility, but not a long-term facility for animals. So we would eventually transition those animals to more of a long-term care facility with whoever our private partner is. So my hope is that our services really will not change. It just comes down to the management of the shelter and the cost associated with it,” said Ray.
The county currently spends about $500,000 annually to operate the shelter. Ray says he believes there could be significant savings if the public-private partnership option is explored. He says he can’t say much about it now, but expects the issue to be on the January 27 agenda of the Guadalupe County Commissioners Court.