Moses Lake increases Animal outreach funds

MOSES LAKE - The Grant County Animal Outreach will receive an additional $2,750 per year from the City of Moses Lake.

The addition brings the animal shelter's yearly contract amount with the city to $50,000.

Moses Lake councilmembers unanimously passed the increase at the last council meeting.

Animal shelter manager Carmon Derting said the additional funding does not have a specific project it will go toward, but it might pay for the rising cost of vaccines, repair work and maintenance of the facilities.

The animal shelter works with different jurisdictions within Grant County to rescue neglected animals.

"But we haven't turned anybody away because they are outside of the jurisdiction," said Derting.

In 2010, there were a total of 3,034 animals brought to the shelter, according to documents provided by Derting.

Moses Lake contributed the largest number of animal rescues, with 1,240 animals taken to the shelter. The shelter took 990 animals from Grant County, including such areas as Ephrata with 230 animals and Soap Lake with 105 animals.

There were a total of 35 animals rescued from outside of Grant County.

The shelter brought in 125 animals from Othello, which is in Adams County.

Councilman Richard Pearce asked Derting if the shelter had any type of charging system in place for animals brought in from cities.

There is a surrender fee of $20 per pet, replied Derting.

Under new management since March, the shelter has seen progress in several key areas from 2009 to 2010.

The adoption rate increased from 53 percent to 55 percent.

The return-to-owner rate increased, from 9 percent to 11 percent.

The euthanization rate decreased, going from 36 percent to 32 percent.

"I think you guys are doing a wonderful job," said councilman Brent Reese.

Moses Lake Police Chief Dean Mitchell said animal shelter staff have been "sensitive and vigilant" in making sure animals be adopted.

"The bottom line was that it would cost the City of Moses Lake significantly more to manager and operate our own shelter, versus contracting for services," stated Mitchell.