The city pound deals with overcrowding in a different way: Animals who are there longer than 10 days on average are put down, according to Dugan. While MCHS takes many of the dogs and cats that overstay their welcome at the pound, at times there is no other alternative than to euthanize the animals. This happens if a cat that MCHS wishes to place under its custody tests positive for feline leukemia or FIV, according to Rush.

A new shelter is a priority

One thing is certain: There will be a new shelter eventually, according to Tom Dankert. If LGA funding doesn’t come in as scheduled, the city will reassess its needs and begin funding for an animal shelter in subsequent years. The city would have to cut any proposed funding for the project this year in order to keep programs, projects and other line items in place in 2010 going, he said.

There is some possibility that the city and MCHS could partner in either building a brand new shelter or renovating several existing properties around town. Currently, there aren’t any concrete plans to do so, but both sides have expressed interest in working together, since MCHS and police already work to find animals temporary housing or families to adopt them.

Although there is plenty of interest in starting this project, it will all depend on the state legislature.

“We’d like to be able to do it but we’ve been cut back so much,” Jim Hurm said.