[Mackenzie’s Admin]

Dr. Wendy Swift’s proposals to improve the Montcalm County Animal Shelter include the following:

• Install a new computer system.

• Develop and implement a mission statement. "The community is currently unclear of the shelter’s role in the community because of the controversy with euthanasia practices and pound seizure," Swift said.

• Make the kennel environment more pleasing to the animals, including playing music and providing a blanket and toy for each. "The environment is devoid of comforts for the dogs in the kennel area," Swift said. "Most animals, when they’re in your care, they can go kennel crazy in 24 hours."

• Replace the spigot watering system with trays that clamp onto each animal’s cage. "I have a feeling that if some of those spigots were not working then those dogs were drinking off the floor," Swift said. "Since you’re cleaning the floors with bleach they could be licking that up too and get more dehydrated."

• Improve employee training in identifying dogs by sex and breed.

• Create a new kennel technician position to provide for one employee who oversees all operations in the shelter and would get to know the animals better so they could help more with adoptions.

• Using a microchip scanner to see if animals have chips implanted in them with identifying information. "That would prevent any microchipped animals from getting euthanized or sent elsewhere," Swift said. "If you euthanize someone’s pet that would be a public relations nightmare."

• Building an outdoor dog run for staff members to take the dogs while the kennel area is being cleaned and for members of the public to see dogs they may want to adopt.

• Install more standardized signage inside the building.

• Install more signage to help the public find the shelter. "The shelter is very difficult to locate," Swift said. "You cannot locate it using directional finding devices."

• Secure a safe to the floor that would hold euthanizing drugs, which can be popular targets for drug abusers to steal.

• Add onto the lobby area to make it more user-friendly and inviting.

• Build new meet-and-greet rooms for people to spend time with animals they are considering for adoption.

• Begin providing basic medical care and vaccinations at the facility.

• Dispose of a set of "cat tongs" that could break a cat’s neck while it is being moved.

• Train employees to communicate with the community and rescue groups better.

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