The local dogs in Fort Smith deserve better. Our community desperately needs a paid position at the animal shelter to guarantee consistent and quality care for our furry friends, without solely relying on the dedication of our amazing volunteers. The dire situation is escalating to the point where the shelter may no longer be able to accept dogs, forcing a tragic choice towards euthanization due to the chronic shortage of volunteers and weak bylaw enforcement due to outdated animal bylaws. 

Without the structural support of a paid "Animal Shelter Manager" in Fort Smith, our animal shelter remains vulnerable to inconsistent operations. A paid managerial role would ensure not only the daily smooth operation of the shelter and consistent support  for homeless animal care, but also facilitate essential veterinary procedures like vaccinations, spaying and neutering within the community, which are crucial for population control and animal health. 

Currently, the struggle to maintain adequate volunteer staff and outdated/weak animal bylaws are causing difficulties within the community. Many essential tasks are delayed including running a website/Facebook Page to advertise local pets for adoption, advertise lost dogs within the community, and be a consistent phone line support regarding animals for our locals has shown to be beyond the capacity of unpaid volunteers alone.

An "Animal Shelter Manager" would introduce professionalism, accountability, and a proactive approach to managing the shelter's operations. With duties ranging from enforcing bylaws, caring for homeless dogs, managing supplies, to coordinating veterinary care, this role is crucial to the future well-being of our community's animals.

With support from our community, implementing this position would alleviate the strain on volunteers, improve the shelter's workflow, and, most importantly, enhance the quality of life for the animals in our care. Implementation of up to date animal bylaws would give our animal control officer the ability to enforce. It's time the Town of Fort Smith prioritizes animal welfare by investing in a dedicated paid position at our shelter.

We urge the Town of Fort Smith and Council to recognize this need and take immediate action in establishing a paid position for an "Animal Shelter Manager" and to update our local Animal Bylaws. Let's work together to create a sustainable and caring environment for our community's animals.

Sign this petition to demand a positive change for the betterment of Fort Smith’s animal shelter and its residents.