BOONE COUNTY, Ind. – For most cities, if you need help catching a stray dog or taking care of a litter of abandoned kittens, you call animal care and control. But what do you do when there is no animal care and control?
In Boone County, humane society volunteers are asking for a major change. There is no official animal care and control officer or department. There’s also no shelter for keeping stray animals.
Every other county that surrounds Marion County has one.
Michelle Atkinson, mother of three and volunteer, is the one who does it all. She volunteers for the county humane society, and typically is fostering at least a couple animals.
Every time someone needs help taking care of a stray, they call her – even if it’s in the middle of the night.
If an animal is hurt, she has to call an emergency vet and foot the bill. That’s the job an animal-care-and-control officer would normally pick up.
Now, the nonprofit is sending an open letter to Boone County posted on Facebook, asking for help. It’s saying even if the county can’t offer an officer or a shelter, it could at least help fund veterinarian bills for injured strays.
“We had a beagle that was hit by a car (and) never claimed by family,” Atkinson said. “She had $1,000 in vet bills (and) it all came from our dollar… We just need some help and some backing.”
RTV6 was unable to connect with Boone County officials for response, but we hope to get their feedback on the issue soon.
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