John Lipscomb, Bartow Residence, in response to idea’s needed to help the Animals of Bartow County, offered to…
“Donate .22 rounds and shovels. If no one wants the animal shoot it and bury it.”
Does Anyone, Any One,
Have Empathy for The Animals
Steve Taylor – Sole County Commissioner Says NO to Help
Let us help you lower the kill rates. NO
Let us help you sterilize the kennels. NO
Let us help you keep the animals healthy, vet them. NO
Let rescues other than Etowah Valley Humane Society pull animals from BCAC. NO
Over 3,000 signatures demanding change at Bartow County Animal Control…
No Response.
Cartersville-Bartow Chamber of Commerce
Over 3,000 emails, one from each signature on the petition, asking for help, asking them to bring A Shelter Management Company to Bartow County.
Not ONE response – To Us.
But, Nicole Hughes, member of this Board of Directors, President of C & C Gutters and Personal Family Friend of Brian Canty, Director of EVHS, chose to send an email to her friends (one of them sent a copy to us and if this email is in fact from Nichole…) Nichole states in it “Bryan’s fundraising efforts afforded EVHS a makeover”, “EVHS is very clean and sanitized”, “that the shelter, years ago had a 82% euthanization rate and it is now down to 24%”, and the real kicker, “No other county has been as effective as Bartow County has in their efforts.”
Even, Nichole Hughes doesn’t understand the difference between EVHS as a Rescue and EVHS as The Organization Contractually Obligated to Manage The Animals at Bartow County Animal Control.
No Apathy for The Animals. Just Blind Support for her friend.
Contractually obligated for:
“Effective programs in place that are aimed towards encouraging adoption and proper care of domestic animals or expand and improve these programs to meet the growing demand for such services by the citizens of the county.”
But…Not Doing.
If these numbers are not disturbing enough…
Owner surrendered cats to Bartow Animal Control are now given only 48 hours from the time of intake to be picked up by a local rescue.
What’s The Problem!?
We think The People of Bartow County Want to Help… John Lipscomb excluded…
But, They Don’t Understand The Problem
Let’s Look at…Bartow Discussions – A Bartow County Facebook Community
And, How They Tried to Help…
Bartow Discussions is Made Up of over 6,800 Bartow County Citizens.
This is the community John Lipscomb revealed his Apathy for the Animals in.
John’s comment has since been removed along with other comments the administrators felt were offensive. Some of them ours, using the words of their own members to make a point. Bartow Discussions didn’t like the words, the way we used them or our solution to the problem.
The admins of the site have threatened many times to pull the thread because emotions are running high and deep – a lot of animal lovers on the site.
“I’m sure the admins will be very guarded about what they post in the future regarding helping these animals due to the amount of insults and criticism that we have received by trying to bring light to this situation. Unfortunately, the innocent animals are the only ones who will suffer from this issue not being exposed.”
The Innocent Animals Are Already Suffering…
But, Lack of Understanding…Makes It Worse
With Good Intentions Bartow Discussions Posts…
“We receive complaints all the time about the animal shelter and and EVHS so instead of complaining and hearing the same ole same ole, we’ve decided to do something about it if you agree. It costs a lot of money to provide healthcare and preventative medicine to the dogs, feed them and give them a place to sleep. There’s a little over 100,000 people in Bartow County so if 2,000 of you (only 2% of the population) would type your name in the comments below agreeing to pay a special tax of $100 every month to the county, we will let you know if the county will accept your generous donation of $200,000 monthly for the dogs. Deal? We believe in doing something to REMEDY the situation vs complaining and this seems like a reasonable alternative to me. Maybe even 3% will sign up to pay monthly. Don’t magnify shortcomings…come up with SOLUTIONS.”
You Can Imagine How This Went Over With The Rescues
Already Supporting Bartow County Animal Control…
It Didn’t Go Over Well.
Lot’s of emotion and outrage.
It was “offensive” to these people that have been working so hard for so many years fighting to save so many unwanted animals in Bartow County because the county isn’t managing or expending any effort to lower the amount of unwanted animals or assist those already there.
It was “Offensive” that they stated they were tired of “hearing the same ole same ole”.
It was “Offensive” that they deemed the outcries for help as “complaining”.
It was “Offensive” that they suggested the complainers “pay a special tax of $100 a month to the county”.
It was “Offensive” they noted they “will let (the rescues) know IF the county will accept” these monies they tried to collect to stop them from complaining.
It was “Offensive” they think this is “a reasonable alternative”.
It was “Offensive” they ask this group not to “magnify shortcomings.”
We know they were trying to help the situation, but they don’t see the problem and their attempts to help “FIX” it…
Made it Worse.
What’s The Problem?
Bartow Discussions…And People in the Community
People Want to Support Etowah Valley Humane Society
We’re All About Supporting Your Local Rescue.
But…
Etowah Valley Humane Society is NOT just A Local Rescue.
It’s THE Rescue that has contractually obligated itself to manage the animals of Bartow County.
A lot of responsibility – a whole county’s worth – for one single small rescue…
That does not know how to effectively manage…
- The Process for Marking Which Animals Are Available, Have a Commitment, Have a Rescue willing to take the animal…So the animals get euthanized anyway even though they were spoken for.
- Relationships with The Rescues Supporting Them…Telling Them they’ve “Tolerated (their) ignorance…But…it just appears (they) seriously lack grey matter.“
- Foster Programs…Spay & Neuter Programs…Vetting Services…
The list goes on and on.
The language of the contract states “ it is in the best interest of the County and it’s citizen that programs and services for the humane treatment of animals within Bartow County be available.”
They got off on the right foot. They even got specific in terms of what Etowah Valley Humane Society would be responsible for:
Effective programs aimed toward encouraging adoption and proper care of domestic animals and that such programs and services…be expanded and improved to meet the growing demand for such services by the citizens of the county.
What Went Wrong
Well, Etowah Valley Humane Society is not equipped to handle the amount of unwanted animals in Bartow County.
It’s a small rescue with country charm but it lacks sophistication.
And, because it lacks this sophistication it hasn’t implemented any effective programs.
Sure it pulls a small number of dogs and cats each week from Bartow County Animal Control and offers them to the public for adoption through their small facility located two doors down from Animal Control, but what do they do for the rest of the animals left at Bartow County Animal Control?
Herein Lies The Problem
Etowah Valley Humane Society Leaves The Rest of The Animals to fend for themselves or die.
And, despite the valiant efforts from so many other rescues and states that take these animals…from online albums Marked Urgent Animals EVHS posts thinking they’ve met their contractual duties…
Yes, Bartow County, There are lots of other States that take your unwanted, unmanaged animals…because they have Empathy…
The majority of these animals die.
The people of Bartow County want to support Etowah Valley Humane Society.
Do it. Support them as a rescue.
But, Don’t support them as The Rescue Responsible for managing All The Animals of Bartow County.
For they are Failing Miserably at this…1,000’s of times over…again and again…year after year.
They Are The Problem.
It’s Not About The Money At This Point
Making it about the money at this point just muddies the water.
To ask the rescue’s who have been carrying Bartow County’s Animals monetary needs for all these years for MORE money…is just asking for an emotional outburst.
It’s not all about the money, anyway.
It’s about caring to do the right thing – manage animal welfare in Bartow County with Integrity – doing what you say you are going to do.
It’s about treating these animals humanely, ethically, responsibly and with a little empathy.
At This Point It’s About Getting…
“Effective programs in place that are aimed towards encouraging adoption and proper care of domestic animals or expanded and improved these programs to meet the growing demand for such services by the citizens of the county.”
EVHS is not meeting their contractual obligations under the contract.
As a result Bartow County is Euthanizing 1,000’s of animals.
Over 6,000 since Brian Canty took over as Director of Etowah Valley Humane Society.
This is not okay. This is why so many people are “Complaining”.
What Makes Up Effective Programs in Place?
Effective programs in place includes Low Cost Spay & Neuter Programs.
This would eliminate a large amount of the unwanted animal population in Bartow County.
Where are these programs?
And, when they are offered why don’t the people of this county utilize the program?
Problem 1 and 2 are solved by offering the programs frequently, advertising they are there, and asking the people of this county to support them and use them – be responsible with the animals in their county.
This Would Help…But Wouldn’t Fix The Rest of The Problem
There would still be unwanted animals in Bartow County – just not in the numbers they currently are.
What to do with these animals?
That’s where either Etowah Valley Humane Society or another management company does what they are contracted to do:
“Effective programs aimed toward encouraging adoption and proper care of domestic animals and that such programs and services…be expanded and improved to meet the growing demand for such services by the citizens of the county.”
Providing humane care for the animals – veterinary care including spay/neuters, pet adoptions, animal reclaims, volunteer opportunities, foster opportunities and rescue group coordination.
Once The Apathy is Gone…And Bartow County Wants to Do The Right Thing…
Then it’s Time To Talk Money.
Ways to raise this money…
- Get The Businesses of Bartow County to Support the Change
- Anheuser-Busch has been a part of the Bartow Community for over 20 years.
- General Manager Rob Haas said in 2013 being “good corporate citizens” is something that drives the plant off Cassville-White Road.
- Anheuser-Busch has a Community Outreach Program in place.
- Since 1997, Anheuser-Busch and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation have contributed more than $515 million to charitable organizations, including those that support education, the environment, economic development, disaster relief, and military personnel.
- “Charitable outreach is at the core of Anheuser-Busch’s business philosophy. Together, we can make a difference. They’re Our Neighbors. Our Responsibility.”
- Anheuser-Busch Partners With Stakeholders to Support Animal Rescue and Habitat Conservation.
- Derek Keeney of Anheuser-Busch is on The Board of Cartersville-Bartow Chamber.
- LakePoint, The Premier Sports Vacation Destination, has the goal to partner with world-class brands that share our vision of bringing families together. They are now a part of the Bartow Community. Pet’s Are Family Too.
- Shaw Industries Group, Walmart, Toyo Tire, Quest Global, Kennesaw Transportation, Georgia Power – Plant Bowen, Gerdau, Aquafil USA, Americo Manufacturing, T.I. Group Automotive, Yanmar America Corporation, Kroger, Target, Beaulieu Commercial, Phoenix Air, Chemical Products Technologies, Shottenkirk Honda, Long Horns… Are Larger Company’s that will support this change in their community. It’s Good Business. Smaller Companies can Support The Community, Too, Companies like C & C Gutters who perhaps can’t donate a large amount of money, but can offer support by understanding why the problem exists, how the system can work better and supporting The Right Way to Act – Responsibly, Ethically, Humanely, Effectively.
- Anheuser-Busch has been a part of the Bartow Community for over 20 years.
- Consider a “Special Tax” to Fund The Management System
- A “Special Tax” on a population of 100,000 is $20 a year per citizen. Two million dollars every year to manage animal welfare – low cost spay and neuter, vetting of the animals, clean conditions to keep animals healthy until fosters or rescues are found, foster programs in place, rescue cooperation units – all the things Etowah Valley Humane Society has been contracted to do now but isn’t.
- Work with the County and their Budget
- You might be surprised at how little they are spending now and On What.
- We’re not buying their accounting of the amount of money they say they put towards the animals and…
- We’d like to see the line items accounting for every penny to show us differently.
- Get A Shelter Management Company
- Effective Shelter Management Companies raise money themselves to fund their facility. Companies like LifeLine Animal Project Shelter Management.
- Combine All of The Above
- The Money and Support will come when Bartow County Decides It’s Time To Do The Right Thing.
Most People Don’t Complain… Just To Complain
People voice their concerns BECAUSE There Is A Problem.
Bartow County has a problem.
A Big One.
They are not effectively managing the animal welfare in their County. Bartow County is Living in Apathy for The Animals.
Bartow County Must Step Up.
What’s There to Complain About…Anyway?
Compare Bartow County’s Efforts to Surrounding Counties:
As Reported By Georgia Spot Society for 2015:
Bartow County’s Kill Rate: 40.31%
Clayton County’s Kill Rate: 11.70%
Cobb County’s Kill Rate: 22.74%
DeKalb County’s Kill Rate: 13.28%
Fulton County’s Kill Rate: 11.62%
Gwinnett County’s Kill Rate: 10.91%
Paulding County’s Kill Rate: 17.74
Rockdale County’s Kill Rate: 21.00%
And…Out of 15 Counties Listed in the Report ONLY TWO Have Higher Rates of Rescue Help – Barrow and Clayton.
Rescues Pull 36% of the animals in Bartow County Animal Control. They pay for the care of these animals, transportation, vetting, feeding, re-homing, etc.
But…The Director of Etowah Valley Humane Society speaking on behalf of Bartow County Animal Control tells these Rescues, “…he’s “Tolerated (their) ignorance…it just appears (they) seriously lack grey matter.”
And Not For Nothing…
Georgia SPOT Society…
Reports Adoptions from Bartow County…
Remember…The Only Way to Adopt is Through Etowah Valley Humane Society…
AT 10.93%
501 animals
That’s far below what Etowah Valley Humane Society is Publicly Reporting.
And Not For Nothing…Again…
Georgia SPOT Society…
Reports Bartow County Killed 1,848 Animals in 2015.
That makes 11,088 kills since Brian Canty took the helm of Etowah Valley Humane Society – The organization contractually obligated to help these animals and the citizens of this county.
And Not For Nothing…One More Time…
LakePoint Sporting Community – Bartow County’s Newest Community Member…
“Promises to transform the travel sports tournament into a family vacation experience like no other.”
Imagine this Family Vacation to Bartow County and the family pet gets lose…
It Would Be a family vacation experience like no other.
It would transform right before this family’s eyes…
Into A Nightmare…
For the Family, the Pet and for Bartow County.
Imagine how it would play out…
“Little Petey was so excited! His baseball team had won The State Championship! They were going to The National Playoffs at LakePoint Sporting Community in Bartow County, Georgia! The Premier Sporting Destination! With World-Class Venues! And…Petey could bring the whole family! Including his best friend, Stewart, his loyal and loving companion, his dog. The one his parents got for him after Petey lost his first best friend, his grandfather.
Somehow in all the excitement Stewart gets lose. The crowd is too much for him and he runs. People try to catch him, but they can’t. Stewart is too afraid and he enters into the woods by the ballpark. Whole Teams search for Stewart, but to no avail. They can’t find Stewart.
Petey’s family contacts Bartow County Animal Control to find out if anyone, any one, has called to let them know they found a dog that looks like Stewart.
Bartow County Animal Control through Etowah Valley Humane Society, Malena Evans, informs the family, “There is no “public list“. If an animal is missing, BAC should be the first place to look and at least every other day there after.”
Every day the family goes to Bartow County Animal Control looking for Stewart. They extend their trip. But, no pictures where taken, the public wasn’t notified, the intake cards were put on the wrong cage…”
Businesses in Bartow County…
It is in Your Best Interest to get a responsible, ethical, humane Shelter Management Company into your County.
Bartow County doesn’t want to be known as Home to The Family Nightmare Vacation County.
It’s time for You to Join other Metro Atlanta Counties and get your numbers down to show a respectable effort on your part…
That’s all any one is asking for – A Respectable Effort on Your Part.
“The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.” ~Charles Darwin
Your County is Better Than This Situation.
Bartow County must take seriously…
The responsibility to manage and care for the animals in their charge appropriately – something they have not done in the past nor are doing in the present.
Bartow County is no longer a frontier land that does away with nuisance animals appearing on their landscape – Despite comments made by citizens like John Lipscomb.
According to their Chamber of Commerce they are a “vibrant community” with an “unmatched quality of life” – one that they advertise is “one of the most likeable places to live among the metro counties” according to a poll conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
They also say, “Bartow County offers a unique blend of country charm and international sophistication.”
It’s time to bring that “country charm” and “international sophistication” to the animals of this county as well.
How can they bring that “country charm” and “international sophistication”?
There’s lots of ways to make this system better. But, it starts with losing that apathy that Bartow County has lived in for so many years. Once that’s done the rest is easy.
There’s a plethora of successful shelter management programs throughout the country. And, as the rescues have proved, there’s lots of help out there – lots of folks that want to aid the animals of this county.
Look at what DeKalb County did when it decided it was time to change.
Dekalb County had a similar problem to that Bartow County is now experiencing. High kill rates, low adoptions, record number animal surrenders…same issues.
What did DeKalb County do to solve this problem?
They brought in an organization that was capable of designing and implementing:
Effective programs aimed toward encouraging adoption and proper care of domestic animals.
Such programs and services…be expanded and improved to meet the growing demand for such services by the citizens of the county.
The Same Thing Etowah Valley Humane Society Has Been Contracted To Do BUT ISN’T.
This Organization: LifeLine Animal Project.
“The Animal Services Division of DeKalb County is managed by LifeLine Animal Project and encompasses all operations at DeKalb County’s animal shelter. LifeLine provides humane care for the animals at the DeKalb shelter, veterinary care including spay/neuters, pet adoptions, animal reclaims, volunteer opportunities, foster opportunities and rescue group coordination.
The DeKalb shelter is an open admission shelter with an average intake of 30 new animals each day. We welcome adopters and rescue groups to our facility to support our efforts.
LifeLine also offers resources and programs to keep pets in their owner’s care and reduce overpopulation. LifeLine has trained personnel at DeKalb to help struggling owners find alternatives to surrendering their pets. Programs like our Spay Neuter Impact Program (SNIP) DeKalb help prevent unwanted litters through free and reduced-cost spay/neuter services offered at the LifeLine Spay & Neuter Clinics. Much of this work is largely funded by donations from our generous supporters.”
LifeLine was founded with the single purpose…
To end the euthanasia of healthy and treatable dogs and cats in metro Atlanta shelters.
And, Lifeline has been wildly successful – saving nearly 40,000 animals in the last three years of managing DeKalb and Fulton County Animal Services.
Now, We’re not saying Bartow County needs…
To bring LifeLine to Bartow County. But, What we are saying is that The Animals of Bartow County Need a Life Line. They need a system in place that will responsibly manage animal welfare in Bartow County.
They need a system that will build:
Effective programs aimed toward encouraging adoption and proper care of domestic animals.
Such programs and services…be expanded and improved to meet the growing demand for such services by the citizens of the county.
Euthanizing is not the solution. Managing is.
Either make Etowah Valley Humane Society meet the demands of the contract or get an organization that will.
Bartow County, just so you know…