The Friends of Pike County Animals (FPCA) was formed on 31 July 2007 due to the lack of assistance in our county reference to lost pets, stray animals, pet overpopulation, and animal control. Our goals are to provide a venue between citizens and our county government to discuss animal control and assistance issues; establishment, partnership, and participation in spay and neuter clinics; establishment of rabies clinic twice a year; and public education through numerous available resources and sponsorship programs.

Over the past sixteen months the FPCA has obtained letters of support from all City Mayors and Council Members, participated in two county sponsored Animal Control Workshops, provided copies of budgets, design schematics, animal control ordinances from our neighboring counties, and animal control incident report numbers compiled from the Pike Co. Sheriffs Department to the Board of Commissioners (BOC) and County Manager.

During the 30 Sep 08 BOC meeting, a Pike Co. citizen appeared to discuss the lack of animal control assistance. A motion was passed (5-0) to bring a previously written DRAFT Animal Control Ordinance before the 8 Oct 08 BOC meeting as well as the search for a possible facility location, and exploration of funding options. The possible site location discussed could be the county owned land designated as the old county chipper/shredder site.

On 8 Oct 08 the BOC agenda listed the DRAFT Animal Control Ordinance to be the first reading. The BOC reconsidered, motioned to table the item, and hold a workshop at a later date. On 17 Oct 08 the DRAFT Animal Control Ordinance Workshop was conducted with Commissioner Willis, Chairman Fry, County Attorney Rob Morton, and about twenty-five citizens present. Funding, location, draft ordinance comments and concerns were discussed and documented so they could be researched prior to the next review of the DRAFT Animal Control Ordinance. Melinda Bailey from the Health Department was in attendance and stated the soil tests from the proposed location are satisfactory and can support the sewage requirements, depending on the size of the facility.

On 11 Nov 08 the Zebulon City Council discussed the option of allowing the county to acquire their old public works building, possibly at moving costs only, which could be used as an animal control/shelter administrative office. On 12 Nov 08 I appeared before the BOC to discuss the building and land acquisition options and the draft animal ordinance. After much debate the BOC voted 3-2 (Garner/Powers opposed) to finally look at the possibility of designating the old chipper/shredder site as the animal shelter location.

Since our inception, the Friends of Pike County Animals was formed to unite our citizens and county government on the issues surrounding the lack animal control assistance. The missing pieces of the puzzle; county land, a low cost building, and a sensible ordinance can easily be completed with your and our local government support. The actions during the next few weeks will determine where we go from here. Please continue to help our community help itself.

Thank you for the continued support.

Don Bailey, Chairman-Friends of Pike County Animals

Meansville, GA