Power struggle could stall animal shelter

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002 | 10:58 a.m.

A proposal to build a regional animal shelter that proponents say will increase adoption rates and help reunite pets with owners might be stumped by arguments over which organization should operate the facility.

Critics of the Animal Foundation, which signed a contract with the city of Las Vegas in 1995, pressured Clark County commissioners Tuesday to issue a request for proposals for new animal shelter operators.

Representatives from other animal advocate groups claim the Animal Foundation mishandles pets and mismanages its money.

"Awarding them a large contract is nonsensical; it's stunning," said Doug Duke, who in June resigned as director of adoptions at the foundation's Lied Animal Shelter. "There will be thunderously loud opposition to this."

Unless they opt to breach their contract with Dewey Animal Care Center, Clark County commissioners can only participate in planning a regional shelter. The county's existing agreement with Dewey expires in 2005.

Commissioners might be left deciding between the Animal Foundation -- which has the support of city council members -- and Dewey.

The county's relationship with Dewey has been turbulent. Administrators have fought shelter operators over wet and chilly kennels. Most recently, the county moved its employees out of the older Decatur Boulevard center because mold was found in the walls.

Commissioners rejected Dewey President Joseph Freer's request for a five-year contract extension in 2001 -- four years before the agreement was to expire. Board members Tuesday indicated there is little appetite to stay with Dewey.

The board opted to follow Las Vegas City Council members' lead, directing their staff to explore creating a shelter and adoption complex adjacent to the Lied Animal Shelter at 700 N. Mojave Road. The six-acre campus would include a veterinary school.

Jim Spinello, the county's assistant administrator, said the Mojave location -- near Bonanza Road and Eastern Avenue -- is in the area where animal control officers are called most often.

Nearly 60 percent of requests to pick up stray dogs and 63 percent of reports of stray cats are within five miles of Lied Animal Shelter, Spinello said. Dewey, which is near the Las Vegas Beltway, is within five miles of about 11 percent of the calls for stray dogs and 26 percent of calls for stray cats.

County administrators believe one shared shelter would be more convenient for pet owners.

"Citizens would have only one site to visit rather than multiple facilities," Spinello said.

Commissioners directed Spinello to continue to discussions with Las Vegas and North Las Vegas officials. They also appeased critics by saying they would explore their choices in shelter operators.

Since opening the Lied Animal Shelter last year, the Animal Foundation has had its share of problems. However, a city-ordered audit found no evidence of fraud or financial misconduct. It did find that the animal licensing information was incomplete, employees had unauthorized access to controlled substances and one worker had stolen thousands of dollars from the facility.

Mary Herro, longtime president of the foundation, was reassigned in July to oversee licensing. She was replaced by Robert Hillman.