Daniel Prince
May 15, 2023
Supervisor says he can't comment on personnel matter, addresses other concerns
A recent controversy erupted online concerning the Union County Animal Shelter. According to the online posts, Holly Wise was placed on administrative leave from the shelter several months ago. Other posts stated that the shelter was out of money and was killing dogs.
WBCU News spoke with Union County Supervisor Phillip Russell about the status of the shelter. He said he could not comment on the personnel issue involved, but he noted three things—the shelter is not euthanizing dogs, the shelter is not out of money, and the employees that are doing animal control and operating the animal shelter are doing a great job.
Russell said only two dogs have been euthanized since he became supervisor, and both were by a judge’s order. Euthanizing animals in South Carolina is not against state law, but the county has operated its shelter as a no-kill shelter for a number of years now.
Russell also noted the financial position of the shelter, stating it still has $29,385 to operate in this year’s budget, which runs through June 30. In the 2023-2024 budget, which Union County Council will be asked to approve in its June meeting, the shelter will receive $155,657 as its operating budget.
He said the employees continue to do a great job. In the last month, they responded to 596 animal control calls. They took in 28 dogs and 6 cats. They adopted out 2 dogs and 1 cat. They sent 7 dogs out to rescue groups. Owners reclaimed 8 dogs and 1 cat. 18 cats went through the TNR process, which stands for trap, neuter, and release. In addition to getting animals to rescue groups, the shelter is also holding adoption events in town for those looking for a pet. This past Saturday, the shelter brought some of the dogs available for adoption to the Youth Fishing Rodeo and Public Safety Fun Day at Foster Park.
Russell said the biggest need is for a new, modernized shelter. He said the current shelter was not built for the current needs. He noted it will likely take a public-private partnership to make it happen, as the price tag could run anywhere from the $300,000 proposed in the penny sales tax referendum of a few years back for renovation work to the $4.6 million bid that Cherokee County recently awarded to build a new shelter.