CAMDEN — Less than a week after a Shiloh resident surrendered 73 dogs to the SPCA of Northeastern North Carolina, the Camden commissioners have agreed to give $15,000 to the SPCA to help cover the costs of caring for the animals.
The Camden Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to allot $15,000 from the county’s contingency funds to the SPCA. The commissioners' vote followed comments from Lisa Harman-Wakefield, president of the SPCA.
Harman-Wakefield recalled how the 73 hounds were surrendered to the shelter last Tuesday.
“That was an amazing number of dogs,” she said.
Harman-Wakefield appeared before commissioners to request additional county funding to help care for the dogs.
The SPCA already has spent almost $1,800 in retrofitting its existing kennels to accommodate the animals, which are being housed in addition to the dogs the shelter was already caring for, she said. And the SPCA also has spent nearly $1,600 for initial vaccines and medicines to administer to the dogs.
“These animals had never been outside of the home in which they were residing,” Harman-Wakefield said. “They had never been outside.”
The SPCA also is spending $120 a day on 80 pounds of dog food.
“Now we have to look at spaying and neutering these animals so that they are adoptable,” Harman-Wakefield said. “That’s going to cost us $6,373.”
The animals will also need vaccine boosters and to be tested for heartworms.
Of the 73 dogs the shelter initially received, 22 have been sent to animal rescue organizations, leaving 51 still in the care of the SPCA.
Camden County Manager Erin Burke recommended using money from the county’s contingency fund, which is money set aside for emergency expenses. The county’s original recommendation was to give the SPCA $5,000, but Commissioner Ross Munro suggested doubling that amount.
Munro called the SPCA a “good neighbor” that has always been there for the county when its services are needed.
“These animals need to be taken care of” and SPCA staff and volunteers are working hard to do that, he said.
Munro then upped his recommendation by motioning the county give $15,000 to the SPCA.
Prior to their vote, Commissioner Randy Krainiak asked if the owner of the dogs has any financial responsibility for caring for them. Burke responded by saying once an owner surrenders an animal the owner’s financial obligations cease.
Camden and Pasquotank counties each contract with the SPCA for animal shelter services. Each county sets aside funding in its fiscal budget that covers the contracted services. Burke said Monday that the amount of money approved in the contract does not include funds for emergency expenses.
Harman-Wakefield said Tuesday that the $15,000 Camden approved Monday night will help defray the costs of caring for the animals, but the shelter still needs donations and volunteers.
Some of the immediate needs the SPCA has include bleach, laundry detergent, Dawn dish liquid, poop bags, blankets, towels, dog bowls, large and extra-large dog crates and durable chew toys. The shelter also needs volunteers to help bathe and walk the animals, clean dishes, help with the laundry and with cleaning the kennels. Monetary donations for veterinary supplies and care are also welcome.
The dogs were voluntarily surrendered last Tuesday by their owner at a residence in Shiloh, according to the Camden County Sheriff’s Office.
“This comes after weeks of concern from local citizens regarding the health and well-being of the dogs,” a post at the sheriff’s office Facebook page states. “Several weeks ago, concerned citizens reported issues with the condition of dogs at the Shiloh residence.”
According to the sheriff’s office, the owner expressed interest in surrendering the dogs because of their inability to care for them. The news release did not identify the owner or their address.
Camden Sheriff Kevin Jones said Thursday that deputies helped coordinate the surrender but did not take custody of the animals.
Jones said he is withholding comment as the owner-surrender is still under investigation.
The SPCA of Northeastern North Carolina is located at 102 Enterprise Drive off Pitts Chapel Road. The shelter can be reached by phone at 252-338-5222 and by email at spcaofnenc@gmail.com.
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