County eyes no-kill animal policy.

Byline: Andrea Damewood The Register-Guard

After more than three hours of discussion and public comment, county commissioners moved Wednesday to create a task force charged with exploring a no-kill philosophy at Lane County Animal Regulation Authority.

Debate centered around a resolution drafted by Commissioner Bill Fleenor and members of the No Kill Community Coalition calling for the end to the euthanasia of adoptable animals at the county shelter.

The resolution listed myriad ways to lower the shelter's kill rate - which it lists at 47 percent - including creating customer-friendly hours, developing a clear policy on euthanasia and increasing volunteer participation.

"There is a significant amount of lack of accountability and specificity at LCARA," Fleenor said before the commissioners began hearing public comment. "If we don't do something significant today ... we will have more animals killed unnecessarily."

While advocates called for the resolution to be adopted immediately, concerns about the change to "no kill" gave some commissioners pause.

Commissioner Bill Dwyer stressed that any steps taken at LCARA must not add to the county's cash-strapped budget.

"I'm committed to working toward a goal," Dwyer said. "But I have a lot of questions."

Each member of the five-seat county board of commissioners will appoint a member to the feasibility task force during a May 2 meeting. The committee will then select two additional members and be expected to present its advice within 90 days.

Noting that Fleenor's resolution is based on recommendations from national no-kill pioneer Nathan Winograd, who visited the shelter in 2006, and a 2003 LCARA task force report, Commissioner Peter Sorenson hoped for a quicker decision.

"I'd rather spend more time on this and get the job done," he said. "I'd rather see movement."

Commissioner Bobby Green worried that the term "no kill" would mislead residents, as the resolution still allows the euthanasia of animals that are too sick to treat, dangerous or if all adoption resources for the animal have been exhausted.

"I still think there's a language problem," Green said.

The majority of Wednesday's meeting, with more than 150 residents attending, was dominated by public comment.

Some worried that the county shelter would become a warehouse for unwanted animals that eventually would overflow, especially for unpopular breeds such as pit bulls.

Many of their comments also surrounded the use of "no-kill" terminology.

"We know LCARA will not become a no-kill shelter," said Diana Robertson, a member of the No Kill Community Coalition who helped write the resolution. "This is about adopting a no-kill philosophy."

Cheryl Dyer, president of the county employees union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 2831, said an increase in volunteers will be costly because they need supervision.

"The people who work at LCARA work there because they love animals, and euthanasia is hard on them," Dyer said. `The `no kill' is a wonderful idea, but it takes time and money - volunteers aren't free. Volunteers have to be supervised by paid staff.'

Others said the no-kill movement was a direct assault on LCARA management, including its director, Mike Wellington.

Eugene resident Katie Hull Anderson praised Wellington and his employees.

"I'm dismayed by this sudden and vicious attack on LCARA," she said. "I'm impressed with the very professional staff who greet the unending flow of animals and their clueless owners with cordiality."

Despite the commissioners' decision to delay the passage of the resolution, Fleenor - vice chairman of the 2003 task force - remained optimistic.

"One way or another, I think Lane County deserves better," he said. "We need to reflect on what we want our shelter to be. This is an all-inclusive, holistic approach to animal care and control."