Animal-shelter changes are welcome

The county commissioners spent several months looking for ways to streamline the operation of the county animal shelter, and their probe was right on track. During their review, they discovered the Flathead shelter's annual budget of more than $556,000 and staffing level were the highest of any government-run shelter in the state.

Taking a cue from other counties with more efficiently run shelters, Flathead commissioners decided to split the oversight, putting the city-county health department in charge of shelter operation and the Sheriff's Office in charge of animal-control officers.

That makes perfect sense.

The health department has established outreach and education protocols that can be used for the shelter, and animal wardens already have a close working relationship with law-enforcement officers.

Missoula County has had a similar arrangement with its health department for close to 20 years and officials say it works wonderfully.

A more heavily populated county than Flathead, Missoula County spends $500,000 on its shelter and euthanized just 71 dogs and 173 cats last year. That compares to 436 dogs and 563 cats put down last year in Flathead County.

Does public education make a difference in pet control?

We think so.

The restructuring of the Flathead shelter shouldn't detract from the good work that's been done there over the past few years. A former shelter employee who quit amid the restructuring told us that last year 88 dogs and 53 cats were sent to rescue groups. Through May more than 60 animals were saved by being sent to rescue groups.

Among the concerns at a public meeting on Monday was the future of a spay-and-neuter program at the shelter. We agree with pet advocates that it should remain an important part of the shelter operation, and county officials said they're confident the program will continue.

An animal shelter advisory board will be organized to provide recommendations as the shelter reorganizes. It's crucial to have community input from the many pet advocates who spend countless hours volunteering their time to find homes for stray or unwanted pets.

As taxpayers, we applaud the commissioners for finding ways to make our government run more efficiently. But pet owners also must do their part by taking responsibility for their animals; that includes spaying, neutering and making sure pets don't wander.