Summary

We, the citizens and supporters of Cecil County, Maryland, urge the Cecil County government to create a county-led Department of Animal Care. This Department will compassionately oversee animal control, no-kill animal rescues and adoptions, and community assistance programs to help support those financially struggling to care for their pets. Currently, the animal care and control responsibilities in Cecil County are contracted out to a nonprofit organization and the county is soliciting proposals for new organizations to take over this contract.

Benefits

There are many reasons why we are urging Cecil County to create a No-Kill Animal Care Department, rather than contracting it out to another group:

1)   Economic Benefits for the County: The existing contract given to A Buddy for Life, Cecil County’s animal control and care contractor, is $720,000 per year. With half of that budget, Alleghany County, MD is able to operate one of the most applauded and successful county-led animal shelters with save rates of 98% for dogs and 90% for cats. Having one permanent Department for Animal Care provides significant cost savings for taxpayers and would allow this $720,000 to stretch a lot further.  The cost savings include: allowing for a permanent establishment reduces the costs of contracting out the services to different nonprofit groups over time, the county is able to retain the cost of adoption of each animal (currently between $75 and $175 for each dog), there is full transparency on how taxpayer money is being spent, and there is a reduction of costs by using government-owned land and possibly building.

2)   It’s Better for the Animals: With a county-led Department for Animal Care, the county is solely responsible for caring for the animals and can be vigilant about making sure they are cared for properly. Unlike the current policy where the county contracts the care of the animals out to an organization, with a county-led animal care department, Cecil County citizens and voters can hold those in charge of the animals accountable for doing their jobs properly.

3)   Joining the 21st Century Community-Led Animal Care Movement: There are many other counties who have successfully created No-kill Animal Care Departments and have been applauded for doing so! It is a proven fact that over time, no-kill facilities solve the pet overpopulation problem more effectively and more efficiently. A shining example comes from our very own state of Maryland in Alleghany, County. With a population size similar to Cecil County and a budget more than half of what Cecil County currently provides to the animal care and control contracting organization, Alleghany County has a save rate of 98% for dogs and 90% for cats.

Our Vision

-      Highly-trained response team for animal emergencies

-      No-kill animal intake and shelter

-      Adoption Center

-      Low cost spay/neuter and veterinary services

-      Safety net program to help those financially struggling to keep their animals

-      Community involvement: volunteering, adoption events, and foster program

    As a community here in Cecil County, we share the responsibility to care for and find homes for the homeless animals in our county.

    We, the undersigned, urge you to honor our request to create a Cecil County Department of Animal Care, a no-kill, county-led animal care and adoption center.