Limestone County Commission to Open New County-Operated Animal Shelter

ATHENS, Ala. (WAFF) – Limestone County commissioners are opening a new animal shelter that will be operated by county employees.

The move follows the failure of Athens-Limestone County Animal Shelter officials to renew their contract with the county.

Collin Daly, chairman of the Limestone County Commission, said shelter officials submitted a bid that was too expensive and didn’t meet guidelines. He said the county paid the shelter $550,000 last year, but the new bid would exceed $900,000 a year. He said that’s far more than other county governments pay, noting that the Lauderdale County Commission only pays about $100,000 a year for its shelter services.

Daly said commissioners are working to lease a former veterinary office on U.S. 72 for use as a shelter. Limestone County Attorney Drew Dill said they hope to lease the office for one year with two possible extensions while county leaders explore other options.

There is no official timetable for when the new shelter will open. The county’s contract with the Athens-Limestone County Animal Shelter expires Oct. 1.

Dill added that the state required the county to have a pound that could accommodate dogs, cats and ferrets. That role was filled by the Athens-Limestone County Animal Shelter.

The commission’s decision not to renew the shelter’s contract has raised many questions among community leaders and animal lovers.

So far, the city of Athens and Limestone County have both contracted with the Athens-Limestone County Animal Shelter for animal services. Shelter director Dr. Elisabeth O’Connor said she doesn’t know how the city of Athens could fund its services on its own.

“Unfortunately, the municipal pound doesn’t have enough financial resources for us to even run it. I wouldn’t be able to pay the salaries,” O’Connor said.

Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said he would speak with other city leaders about the issue Tuesday afternoon, adding that he also doesn’t know what the next step will be for the city’s shelter.

O’Connor said his main concern right now is placing the more than 100 animals at the Athens-Limestone County shelter into new homes.

“Please come and adopt, save our animals,” O’Connor said. “There’s probably over 150 animals at the shelter right now. I don’t see how they’re going to have enough room where they’re going for all those animals.”

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