Culpeper hissing over cats

Free-running felines prompt officials to form panel to address concerns over Humane Society use of animal shelter office.

Date published: 6/30/2006

By DONNIE JOHNSTON

The Humane Society of Culpeper's future role at the county animal shelter remains unclear following the discovery of 32 cats running free in an office there two weeks ago.

Photographs showing a urine- and mildew-stained floor littered with feces and cats sitting among items on storage shelves were displayed at yesterday's Animal Shelter Advisory Committee meeting.

"I was really taken aback by those pictures," said Supervisor Bill Chase, who chairs the panel.

Animal Control Director Jamie Bennett said the problem became acute around June 15 when one of her officers contracted ringworm from one of the cats in the 8- by- 8 foot office.

"I usually don't go into the humane society office," Bennett said.

The room is part of the animal shelter building but is not under the supervision of the animal control department and not subject to inspection from state veterinary authorities.

After discovering the almost three dozen cats--one of which was dead--Bennett told humane society officials to remove the animals. She also informed county authorities.

Since ringworm can live in porous materials such as carpet and drywall, the county has been forced to scrub the room with disinfectant. Repainting and other repair work will also need to be done before the room can be used again.

The cats in question were unwanted animals that had been transferred to the humane society from the animal shelter to spare the felines from euthanasia. Most were sick, humane society volunteer Laura Kennedy said at yesterday's meeting.

The cat issue was the focus of the meeting, but county officials also brought other problems into the open. County Administrator Frank Bossio said communication between the humane society, the county and the public was a major concern.

Both Bossio and Chase said residents are often frustrated because calls to the society go unanswered. Chase said two calls he had made were not returned and the county had not received a response to a letter it sent regarding its concerns.

Bennett said she is worried about who among a changing list of humane society volunteers has a key to the animal shelter. She said both antibiotics and drugs used in euthanizing animals are stored at the shelter.

"It seems like everybody's got one," Bennett said of the keys. "It's gotten out of control."

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Date published: 6/30/2006