Animal shelter ‘nears critical mass,’ seeks community support
Published 4:15 pm Wednesday, October 12, 2022
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BY ROBERT SORRELL
Star Correspondent
With more animals coming in and fewer staff members working, the Elizabethton Carter County Animal Shelter is asking for additional support from the community.
On Tuesday evening, the animal shelter committee members met to discuss ongoing issues at the facility. Animal Shelter Director Shannon Posada said there are currently 59 cats and 184 dogs at the shelter.
Posada told committee members, which include representatives from Elizabethton City Council and the Carter County Commission, she is short staffed and has found it difficult to fill a vacant position.
If she were to lose one more staff member, Posada said she expects it would be especially more difficult to properly care for the number of animals at the shelter.
Posada said she has also not had many trustees from the jail available to work at the shelter, however, that has been the situation at other locations as well, including the landfill.
Posada said she is very concerned about animal overpopulation at the shelter and a lack of food, particularly during the colder winter months. Due to rising electric bills and higher costs of food, Posada said lower income families may have to give up their pets, which ultimately results in a higher number of animals at the shelter.
Due to the economy, the director said she has already seen people lose their homes and take their pets to the shelter.
In addition, Posada said she is worried about not having enough food for the winter. She asked the committee to look into ways to further support the shelter.
“We can’t wait until we are out of food,” said County Commissioner Kelly Collins, who suggested the committee sponsor a food drive.
Chairman Michael Barnett asked the community to continue supporting the shelter. He added that the shelter is nearing “critical mass.”