January was another busy month for the Christian County Regional Animal Shelter.
That’s according to its executive director, Melissa Goff, who during Tuesday morning’s Christian County Fiscal Court meeting noted that for the month of January, the organization took in 232 animals through the office, 43 through Hopkinsville Animal Control, 14 from Oak Grove, 13 from Trigg County, 17 from Todd County and 34 in returns.
The shelter, which serves south western Kentucky, also received more than $3,000 in designated donations in the same stretch — something that Judge-Executive Jerry Gilliam said continues to grow.
However, when asked by Magistrate Russ Guffey about what statutorily needs to be addressed for the next fiscal year, Goff didn’t hesitate with her answer.
Goff clarified that “backyard breeding” has its place, but clearer laws are needed.
In the past, Goff added that annual grants typically make some spay-and-neuter options more affordable to the public.
But it’s not nearly enough, and she said it would “be great” to set something up on a larger scale — perhaps an endowment or the like — to build out a better “unwanted animals” program.
Goff and Guffey both agreed that the “Spay-ghetti” Dinner, sponsoring such efforts, needs to return in the post-COVID world, and Goff further noted that a “Trap-Neuter-Release” program for area cats might be the answer.
Gilliam said while both such programs wouldn’t be “money makers” by any means, the concerns need to be addressed. Goff urged that there may be some angles in the community to get these initiatives the jumpstart they need.
January wasn’t all tough news. Goff said there were more than 220 outgoing animals — including 159 through adoption, 18 through rescue, 26 through reclaim and 21 through “Pets of the Week.”
Three events should also be on the calendar for anyone looking to add to their family:
— From 9 AM until 3 PM on March 9, they will be at Lowe’s, in Hopkinsville
— From 10 AM until 2:30 PM on March 16, they will be at Respawn Coffee Company
— And from 10 AM until 3 PM on March 22-24, they will be at Pet Smart in Hopkinsville
