To the Editor: Commitment to local dogs questioned

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As someone who has been extensively involved in northwest Ohio rescue community for many years, I read
your recent article about Wood County Humane Society’s rescue of 12 dogs from KY with interest. I would
be surprised if WCHS has taken 12 dogs from Wood County Dog Shelter in the last 12 months. I also
checked with Lucas County Canine Care & Control to see if WCHS is a rescue transfer partner for
their county-run shelter. Not only have they never signed on to help with the dogs next door, the public
records emails from Erin McKibben, WCHS intake coordinator, were completely dismissive of any interest
to help with the dogs in Lucas County.
Ms. McKibben sites the application and contract process as being "tedious." That is to assure
dogs go to reputable rescues, and over 50 rescues and shelters have managed to wade through it, many
without any paid staff. She also says WCHS does not have the "budget" for the modest transfer
fees ($10-50) for some dogs, all of which receive some vet care and are microchipped, and many of which
are fixed and vetted. Many fees are waived as well. Instead WCHS has the money to possibly treat a
shelter crammed full of dogs with kennel cough, treat fleas and worms, and a dog with heartworm, plus
pay for care and food during quarantine period? All while effectively closing their shelter to any other
dogs which need their help?
The larger concern to me is how rarely they are willing to step up for dogs at Wood County Dog Shelter.
Yes many of those dogs do find rescues, with hard work of volunteers who network and transport them
elsewhere. Many of those dogs in fact go to Lucas County shelters and rescues, which means Lucas County
is stepping up for Wood County dogs, while their own Humane Society imports them from other states. As a
private organization, WCHS is free to set their own policies and procedures without answering to public.
While we are all happy when any dog gets another chance, resources are finite. Donations, fosters and
even adopters take away those same options for the dogs here. Most of the shelters and rescues in
northwest Ohio work together to save their own dogs. It is unfortunate the only real option for homeless
Wood County dogs won’t join the team.
Molly LaMountain
Whitehouse

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