Spartanburg Humane Society gives county a reprieve after receiving payment
By Kim Kimzey
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Published: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 3:55 p.m.
The Spartanburg Humane Society will continue to accept and care for stray animals from Spartanburg County through Oct. 31 after receiving a $56,250 payment Tuesday from the county.
The Spartanburg Humane Society will continue to accept and care for stray animals from Spartanburg County through Oct. 31 after receiving a $56,250 payment Tuesday from the county.
On Monday, SHS President Sandy Christiansen announced the nonprofit organization would not accept stray animals from Spartanburg County animal control officers starting Tuesday until the county pays its past due bill or makes arrangements.
Christiansen said the county is past due more than $110,000. “In order to continue housing and caring for county animals beyond October 31st, the Humane Society will need to receive the remainder of the past due balance as well as payment for November services. If we have not been paid in full by the 31st, we will be forced to suspend services for county animals indefinitely,” Christiansen said in a written statement.
Jamie Nelson is head of the county’s Office of Environmental Enforcement, the group tasked with animal control and other responsibilities. Nelson said he delivered the check to Christiansen.
Nelson said at this time animal control officers can still take animals to the SHS for impoundment. The county is also looking at other options to care and shelter unwanted animals if matters cannot be resolved with the SHS.
“The county is looking into all possible options,” Nelson said. One option includes holding animals at facilities in neighboring counties. Nelson said the Spartanburg County Office of Environmental Enforcement has taken 3,966 animals to the SHS so far this year. Most of those animals were dogs and cats, he said.
