Paws Humane speaks on initial conversations to oversee Columbus Animal Care and Control

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)— WRBL continues to follow the story of Columbus Animal Care and Control (CACC) after eight city workers were arrested during an investigation into the shelter.

All eight employees are facing a combined 34 criminal charges ranging from forgery and theft to animal cruelty. 15 of those being felony charges, 11 of them misdemeanor charges. Those arrested included manager of the facility, Canita Hardnett-Johnson, administrative coordinator Contreana Pearson, and veterinarian Dr. Henry 'Hank' Hall. The Columbus Police Department says the cruelty to animal charges do not stem from physical abuse, rather omission of care.

"Obviously, myself and the staff, we were horrified to learn some of the things that have taken place over at animal control, but we are very much looking forward to the future," Director of Paws Humane, Courtney Pierce, said. "I know that Paws has an awesome, compassionate team. And I think we're ready to rise to the challenge."

City Manager Isaiah Hugley and councilors have expressed their preference for Paws Humane to take over management of the shelter.

How was Paws Humane Society Impacted?

Since Oct. 1, select city services offered by CACC have been suspended until the future of the shelter is decided. Paws Humane speaks on how they have been impacted during this process.

"Currently, we're not set up to take in strays, so that's kind of been problematic," Pierce said. "I think a lot of people just expected as soon as that happened for us to be able just to go right into that. Unfortunately, we just don't have the capacity to work on the owner surrenders, pull from animal control, and also do strays currently."

Without anywhere for stray animals to go, and limited pickups for sick and injured animals; Paws Humane is feeling the impact.

"Unfortunately, we have seen some animals dumped here. You may have seen on our Facebook, there were three shepherds. So, we've taken those and we're obviously not condoning dumping the animals off here or anything," Pierce said. "But I would still reach out to animal control. They are doing it in some capacity. I know that their goal right now is to get as many animals out as possible so that it's an easier transition."

CACC is still taking emergency calls and operating with a limited staff until the future of the shelter is decided. Their goal is to adopt out all of the animals as they are at capacity.

What's Happening Now

Negotiations have not officially begun between Paws Humane and CACC, just initial conversations. Pierce explains what has happened so far.

"I got word that they had reached out to Lifeline in Atlanta, and then I reached out to them to let them, meaning the management at the time, that Paws Humane Society, would be interested in taking over the management," Pierce said. "So, then we just kind of had a conversation back and forth."

Pierce says Paws Humane has tried to take over management of CACC since 2009, plus they have had a longstanding partnership with the shelter.

"We're right next door to them. We have already done a lot of services for our community. We already assessed them," Pierce explained. "It just seemed to make sense for Paws Humane Society to be the ones to step up and take that over."

Paws Humane estimates they'd need an annual budget of $3.5 million to properly oversee all of CACC's functions. Hugley says that division is budgeted at $2.1 million.

"First and foremost, it has to be funded appropriately. Paws Humane Society cannot fund raise the difference. You know, we already— everything that we do currently is just based on grants and our community donations," Pierce informed. "When we step it up a level, there's obviously going to be cost in that, and to properly take care of those animals."

During the Oct. 8 city council meeting, councilors approved Hugley and Police Chief Stoney Mathis to oversee negotiations with Paws.

"I know that they're working on a proposal and contracts and then we'll begin contract negotiation from there," Pierce said.

WRBL will continue to follow this developing story.

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