Public offers criticism, ideas at forum for Pitt County Animal Services

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — Pitt County Animal Services is getting input from the community this week through a forum to share ideas about how the shelter can improve.

They also wanted ideas for the next director of the shelter. It was an emotional night in the Marc Owens Auditorium as members of the community offered criticism and potential solutions.

The shelter is at full capacity and Tabitha Murray, who works with Pitt Friends, suggested the shelter do more to utilize social media and the exposure it can bring.

“Social media gives you the opportunity to showcase an adoptable pet in front of hundreds to thousands of people, all by telling the animal’s story by pictures and videos,” Murray said.

The shelter has been without a director since the middle of July after the former director Chad Singleton resigned. Community members also offered up their thoughts on the qualities next director should have.

“Someone who can hire, motivate and maintain a fully dedicated staff with minimal turnover. Someone who is a collaborator, I cannot emphasize this enough,” Cat Coalition Founder Linda Lindbeck said.

Lindbeck fought back tears when talking about the shelter’s close proximity to the city dump. “It is insulting to the people working there,” she said. “It is insulting to the people who go to adopt animals. It is an insult to the animals.”

Lindbeck also mentioned more collaboration between the county and the city of Greenville. This idea was seconded by Greenville City Council member Marion Blackburn.

“One of the things that I think is going to be essential for the new director is, as was mentioned very appropriately, is someone who can work with the city. We need to be aggressive about working together,” Blackburn said.

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