LifeLine Animal Project: Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter Evaluation
LifeLine Animal Project, Susan Feingold, Shelter Evaluator, 9/28/2012
Overall Assessment
One of the biggest overall problems at WPCAS is lack of supervision, which in turn is causing many of the other problems. During the shelter observation period, it seemed that no one was performing important duties normally associated with a Kennel Supervisor or a Field Supervisor. WPCAS also doesn’t have functional Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which are needed in order to ensure jobs such as enforcement of ordinances, shelter disinfection, providing care to animals and other critical tasks are done properly and uniformly.
Animal Shelter in complete disarray – a reflection of city government’s true character
by Judith Fairly – Weatherford is a city at the crossroads. It faces two paths: one leads to a future as a progressive, prosperous community that embraces the challenge of growth from small cattle town to modern city; the other to a small town that has grown out but hasn’t grown up, a town that sweeps problems under the carpet that future generations will have to face.
The City of Weatherford advertises itself as a “family focused community known for valuing historic traditions while planning for the future. It is a safe, livable city with a healthy economy that recognizes the importance of working with citizens and local partners.” That slogan is laudable but it doesn’t reflect reality.
Calif. group gives Texas dog national hero award
The Associated Press, By SUE MANNING, May 7, 2012 –
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Three years ago, Bear was a 100-pound Shiloh German shepherd nobody wanted at a Texas shelter.
Debbie Zeisler came to his rescue. She has lost count of the times since then that he has come to hers.
On Monday, Bear was honored with the 30th National Hero Dog award by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles.
Last May, Zeisler had a seizure, fell down some steps, hit her head and lost consciousness in her front yard. Bear scratched on every front door in their Millsap neighborhood but nobody answered. A Parker County animal control officer saw the frantic dog and went to help. Bear led the officer to Zeisler.
Great day for homeless dogs at Weatherford Blooms
By Michelle Kays, April 29,2012 – If you were at Weatherford Blooms on Saturday you may have seen the adoption trailer there filled with pets looking for homes. If you were there at the end of the day you saw an empty trailer. Yes, that’s right, over 12 pets found new homes that day. Animals, that before, would have ended up as garbage in our shelter dumpster. But now these pets have families to care for them. Our shelter, under the direction of interim manager Dustin Deel, is improving every day. With help from Elyse Carter and another shelter employee, they achieved a wonderful thing that day.
Parker Paws seeks solutions while City Officials justifiy failure
For additional information, go to Help Weatherford Shelter Pets.
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Sadly, city officials continue to play shell games with personnel and become even more proficient at their evade and elude tactics!
Saving Face Instead of Saving Lives
By Judith Fairly –
This is an election year. In a matter of weeks, local residents will have an opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Historically, the turnout for city elections has been cringingly low, which works in favor of the incumbents. I’m sure those on the City Council who are up for re-election are counting on that.
What is most remarkable about the Weatherford City Council meetings I’ve attended over the course of the past three months is the amount of time the current City Council has devoted to evading questions about events and actions by employees of the Weatherford/Parker County Animal Shelter and making excuses for the City’s inaction via bland platitudes, deferring instead to the City Manager, whose habit of engaging in rambling feats of oration never addresses the questions put to him.
Promises, Promises ~ until the election is over
UPDATE: by Harry Wilfer, April 11, 2012 –
I attended the city council meeting last night for the first, and probably last, time. My impression was that of egoistic little-league politicians who actually believe that Weatherford is some kind of metropolis. And as far as blaisdell goes, I can no longer stand the sight of him! Though he was expressionless through the early part of the meeting, his countenance became that of a scowl when the shelter was discussed. He lied and lied and when that didn’t work, he lied some more. I’m not so sure that much will be accomplished for the citizens of weatherford when the city manager position is held by such a dishonest, insincere and self-serving individual.
Feed Your Pets Right
from YoungAgain.com, byRoger Mason, April 3, 2012 –
About one third of American households own dogs and cats. Almost all of these people feed their pets commercial dog food because they don’t know any better. Commercial dog food is junk, even the expensive brands. This includes the expensive “natural” brands. There are almost no laws regulating pet food, and the makers can put most anything in there they want to. Feed your dog or cat real food. Dried meat and animal products oxidize badly and are full of free radicals. Isn’t your dog or cat a member of your family? Isn’t your pet a family member? If you really love them feed them real food. It’s easy and cheap to do.
Parker County Blog 