Foster program starting at city animal shelter

Foster program starting at city animal shelter Brian Smith Wed, 03/20/2024 - 7:09 am   The city of Jacksboro is working on a fostering program at the city’s animal shelter. Photo/Brian Smith A proposed quarantine facility for the animal shelter, as well as a fostering program, was discussed at the Jacksboro City Council meeting Monday, March 11. City Manager Mike Smith said the nearest one to town is about 30-40 miles away, with Graham and Bowie not having one. The Friends of the Jacksboro Animal Shelter approached the city and will be working together on fundraising for the project. It will be separate from the present facility with sewer and water being hooked on to the facility. Place 5 Alderman Stewart Chalmers suggested opening the facility up to other communities if they would be willing to help with the fundraising. “Let’s see if they are willing to pay up front to be able to use the facility later on,” Chalmers offered. The idea of keeping a number of spaces open for those agencies that did help with fundraising was brought up as well. Chalmers said the entity or owner would be responsible for getting the animal to and from the facility. In other animal shelter news, a fostering program between the city and shelter is in the beginning phases. Smith said it will be a two-part program with both an application and contract needing to be filled out. The application will assist in the vetting process with anyone wishing to foster having to be cleared through the city first, Smith explained. The city will do its best to match the size of animal with the family and to ensure any pets already on site are a good match. “We’re not going to turn you down if you already have a pet,” Smith noted. “If that pet is aggressive, however, we’re probably not going to give you one.” A contract will explain the best way to foster an animal with the foster parent responsible for providing food and shelter. The city or a Friend of the shelter will check out the residence first before approval. Place 2 Alderman Brandon Sisson said the ability to check out a residence first needed to be both in the application and the contract which Smith said would be done before the fostering would be done.