In December 2008, Friends of the Shelter, Inc. (FOTSI) signed a contract with the City of Vinton to manage the Vinton/Benton Co. Animal Shelter. Some noteworthy items leading to this business arrangement was (as reported by the local newspaper), management of the shelter was “inept at best” for years; additionally, the shelter experienced an average annual increase of 26% in the number of animals impounded during the prior five years.

Local residents and city council members wanted change; FOTSI was asked to be that change. We did not know how to run an animal shelter either; however, for three years prior (until September 2008), we rescued and fostered animals from the shelter. We welcomed the chance to turn around the miserable fate of most of the animals that ended up there. We didn’t always get it right as we learned on the job, but we always got it right for the animals. The shelter was no longer a dumping ground, owner responsibility was a priority, and ordinances were enforced. Although we are not a no-kill shelter, the survivor rate exceeds 98%.

The building was built in the early 1970’s by volunteers to initially house stray dogs. I applaud them for their good intentions and hard work. In the ‘70’s the idea, let alone actually doing something about the welfare of strays, knowing that they deserved to be treated better, would of been a progressive idea. Unfortunately they found that it was quite an undertaking with all the animals that needed help and they had to give up managing the shelter. I don’t know when cats started being brought into the shelter but there was no ideal area just for them. The lack of dedicated space for cats at the shelter continues to be a challenge today.

The last inspection of the building turned up some inadequacies as most buildings built in the 1970’s without much improvement would do. To help to keep it from failing inspection altogether, the city painted, the county bought new dog kennels, and we turned our building (the small building on skids) into a few cages to quarantine cats. We moved our office from that building to our downtown location that we bought so there was a meeting place for potential adopters to meet a pet in a quiet, pleasant atmosphere.

All of this is a Band-Aid because there are other areas of the building that is not an “easy fix” to pass inspections in the future.

When we agreed to take over management of the shelter, there were no grand ideas on our part only that we wanted it to never fall back into the hands of managerial ineptness. However, with a couple of years under our belts we were ready to look to the future, so in 2011 we attended a meeting with the Benton County Board of Supervisors and discussed the possibility of entering into a 28E agreement that would enable us to apply for grants to add on to the existing building and make improvements. However, that possibility didn’t get far because local government officials informed us their plan is to close the existing shelter when the housing development planned for the adjacent land moves forward. The City of Vinton has invested significant funds to provide infrastructure improvements so the land can be developed for future housing. If Benton Co is to have an animal shelter in the future, anything other than what currently exists, significant investment of funds for land acquisition and building construction is probable.

Before any discussions for the future of animal sheltering in Benton Co. can go forward the taxpayers need to let their city and county leaders know if they believe there is a need or not. Once that information is known, then a plan can be formulated. I encourage you to voice your opinion to them, soon. Perhaps the local governments can develop a survey and send to residents for their input.

The other issue of late we’ve been asked to address is what to do since there is no longer an animal warden. The shelter and animal control are separate and as in the past, to report a stray animal you need to call dispatch at 472-2337 option 0. The county is looking to hire someone to do animal control and the city of Vinton has it written in their contract with us of who can impound other than an animal warden (the previous animal warden is available to give them the keys and to show them the procedure).

When we were asked to take over management of the shelter in 2008, the animal warden quit and for awhile we allowed people to bring in stray animals until another animal warden was hired, however, we quickly learned that letting people bring in strays on their own was putting everyone at risk.

People who are not trained or did not have the proper equipment, were injured/bitten (animals not normally aggressive may bite when scared), animals got away from them because they were not confined and animals ran off when their car doors were opened. Because the shelter is on a busy highway, some were struck by cars or came close to causing accidents while people tried to help chase them down.

Private citizens were handling strays that unbeknownst to them had fleas, ringworm, and other issues that can be transferred to humans. We saw strays brought in that were loose in the car along with their kids or their own pets. In addition, a dog jumped out of an open car window and was injured.

Animals brought in a person’s personal vehicle have the potential to cause interior damage, and at times can be difficult/defensive to get back out of the vehicle once brought to the shelter. Without the animal being properly confined by the person transporting it, the safety of everyone may be compromised.

Without the services of a trained person with proper equipment to do animal control, the County, the City, and FOTSI are subject to litigation risk. FOTSI has made exceptions to long established policies and procedures while the animal control position has been vacant, but can’t continue this process long-term because of liability issues. Today, 12-17-14, a stray dog was found outside of Urbana. The retired person whose house the dog showed up at had no way to transport. Once again we made a exception (the one and only time for this) and picked up the dog from her home and transported to the shelter. Animal control should not be left up to the citizens to figure out on their own, the need for animal control is great and we look forward to getting back (soon) to a professional working relationship, such as we had with Garrett (the previous animal warden).

Even without an animal warden the shelter fills up and for those of you looking to welcome a pet into your home, we have some great pets ready for adoption that can be seen on www.petfinder.com, our website www.pawsforfriends.com, and some you may have seen lounging in our window at 211 W. 4th Street, in Vinton. Email vintonshelter@yahoo.com with any questions or to set up an appointment. If you do not have computer access, the telephone number for the shelter is 472-4623, the office is not staffed so please leave a message.

I am very proud of what the members and supporters of FOTSI (past and present) have accomplished. Each and everyone is appreciated! We don’t often toot our own horn but this being a milestone year coming up (FOTSI’s 10 year anniversary!)… watch for some horn tooting in 2015!

Spay and Neuter!


~Donita Casey
FOTSI Volunteer Member