Baltimore Co. Plans For New Animal Shelter

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- There's been a firestorm of criticism over the county's handling of animals at the existing shelter.

As WJZ's Pat Warren reports, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz is promising improvement.

The county executive calls the existing facility outmoded.

Calls for attention at Baltimore County's animal shelter are being answered. The 30-year-old facility is about to be replaced.

It's been a cause for protest. Demonstrators in April alleged healthy, adoptable animals were being euthanized while the county has the wherewithal to provide better care.

"We made a commitment to start making some changes at the shelter and the way we operate," Kamenetz said. " We brought in full-time veterinarians and we've also upgraded the adoption aspects to promote adoption of animals."

That commitment includes a new shelter.

This 22,000-foot, $6 million facility will be more than twice the size of our current facility and will sit in the beautiful rolling hills of Baltimore County.

But to some that's like the county is throwing the dog a $6 million bone.

"I'm not saying I don't like the building," Lynn Green said, " I'm saying that a new building is not enough to save lives."

Green argues the pets need people and is promotion a public-private partnership.

"BARCS is operating in a building that is 100 years old and they've turned around from when they were Baltimore City Animal Control." Green said. "They had like a 98 percent kill rate and now they're doing amazing things with animals and the community."

While the commitment outlined by Kamenetz is an improvement, Green says it doesn't satisfy the need.

"They're minimal. There have been minimal changes, but they aren't sufficient," Green added.

Animal advocates are calling on the county to engage volunteers and the community. Pets, they say, need people.

Other Local News: