SPANISH FORK — A new anti-death penalty group is taking aim at one of the most prolific death rows in Utah — the South Utah County Animal Shelter.
Over the past two years, a group called "No More Homeless Pets in Utah" has been successful in drastically reducing the number of animals being euthanized at the West Valley City Animal Services. Their efforts have cut the euthanization rate from 60 percent to 25 percent.
A representative told Utah County commissioners this week that the group can do the same at the south county shelter if given the opportunity. All they need said Nikki Sharp, the groups adoption program director, is a willingness by the county to provide the group with space at the shelter to kennel dogs and cats selected for adoption and an area where a veterinarian can spay or neuter the animals before they are made available to the public.
The sticking point for commissioners is determining whether the group's efforts will provide a measurable monetary return for the county if it grants the request. The commissioners said they need to see hard numbers that prove there is a benefit before they will sign off on the request.
"We can't selectively subsidize anyone," said Commissioner Jerry Grover.
"We have to receive equal value or more before we can provide space." said Commissioner Steve White.
Grant Ferre, the shelter director, said he believes that obstacle can be easily resolved and noted he is excited at the prosect of working with the group.
"The vet service alone is worth $25,000 a year," Ferre said. "They provide the food for the animals they want to save, the litter, the on-site personnel. Plus we have their promise that once in this program, we'll never see these animals again."
Sharp said the organization needs a small space for a desk, kennel space for 24 cats and dogs and use of the surgical space by the veterinarian. The doctor will also provide an hour each day to treat sick and injured animals being housed at the shelter.
Sharp said adoption is the likely outcome for most animals pulled off death row and given a little public exposure.
"Our first goal is to reduce the rates of euthanization. We want to be a safety net," Sharp said. "Our second is to see that pets are spayed and neutered (to reduce unwanted litters). We guarantee life."
Sharp said Utah County's kill rate is currently at 70 percent, the highest rate in the state, according to numbers collected by the Utah Coalition of Shelters. She proposes rescuing 600 animals each year at the South Utah County Shelter.
"We want to end using euthanization as a population control," Sharp said.
"We could reduce our kill rate to zero and be nationally recognized for that," Ferre said.
Sharp said the shelter staff has expressed interest in helping save the cats and dogs that are needlessly put to death and that makes it easier to work with them.
"The staff wants to do something and we have a huge number of highly adoptable animals," Sharp said. "Working together we can do more."
Sharp said dogs or cats selected for rescue are temperament tested and examined for any significant health problems. They are usually taken to a PetsMart or Petco store where they are offered for adoption. Some are placed in a foster home until a permanent home can be found. Others are added to the Internet PetFinder data base.
Sharp said it is easier to place animals for adoption at sites away from the shelter.
"People find it too depressing to go to a shelter and many don't realize what's available at a shelter: purebreds, healthy animals and young animals," Sharp said.
West Valley shelter director Karen Bird said she's loves working with No More Homeless Pets.
"Not only do they save the lives of the animals and find great homes for them, they raise the awareness that we're here. I like to come in Monday mornings and see empty kennels, plus we get the revenue from the adoption fees. It's basically a win-win situation."
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com