Citizens have been waiting for a plan to improve Animal Shelter conditions from City Manager Daniel Valenzuela. San Angelo Live's Joe Hyde quoted Valenzuela in his interview with Shelter Chief Morgan Chegwidden and Concho Valley PAWS Executive Director Jenie Wilson.
"Morgan is working her tale off."
Morgan reiterated "her" shelter became overcrowded due to new litters of puppies and kittens. She didn't address the disgusting conditions for animals in "her" shelter that precipitated a roach infestation.
Wilson explained the horrific hoarding conditions seen in late August were due to a number of one time circumstances. That's odd given PAWS statements in the wake of the outcry that city shelter staff are overworked and underpaid. Why would the city change pay for a series of one-time circumstances?
Hyde concluded at the end of the interview. "The dog crisis is coming under control. Spay and neuter is long term. Short term we need fosters and adopters."
Morgan and Jenie did not say if they will continue to allow pregnant pets to deliver their litters inside the Animal Shelter nor did they address pay for shelter workers or changes in cleaning practices.
The chokehold on shelter intake remains in effect. Intact animals will continue to leave the shelter as PAWS will now issue spay/neuter certificates for shelter animals "returned to owner" for $20.
Have the city and its adoption/veterinary service contractor really patched things up? Maybe City Manager Daniel Valenzuela will officially let us know if he wants the same people who led the shelter into crisis to lead it out.
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