Future of Fayette County animal shelter remains uncertain

FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Wednesday morning’s assembly of the Fayette County Commission saw discussion of a litany of agenda items, not the least significant of which was the future of the New River Humane Society animal shelter in Fayette County. 

The Humane Society last month was given a 60-day notice during which time the organization would need to secure a location and parent organization for their operation, which is currently housed within the Fayette County Animal Control Center. 

With a number of weeks still remaining in the allotted period, progress toward the establishment of a new operational location is gradual at best.

Though several variables have been designated as having affected the decision to implement the location change – funding and overflow of animals brought in being perhaps chief among them – the specific reasoning remains more general than not, depending on who it is being asked.

Regarding the issue of overcapacity, for which it has been suggested an additional shelter or shelters would be necessary in order to effectively mitigate, efforts are being made to expedite the rehoming process. 

It was asserted during Wednesday’s meeting that officials hope to “get a process in place to speed up the ability of the animal shelter to put these animals up for adoption.”

As time moves forward, however, the discourse during the commission session trended more heavily to the potential designation of an additional Animal Control Officer for Fayette County than toward efforts being made toward the establishment of a new Humane Society location.

Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley has shared the employment opportunity through social media, as the dwindling of control officers has also been a contributing factor in the ongoing struggles in Fayette County with regard to animal adoption and control.

A starting salary of $25,000, along with vacation, insurance, and flexible hours have been offered to those interested in the position, which “requires a self-motivated person willing to deal with all types of animal problems in Fayette County.”

Feelers have also been released to the public regarding a potential new entity under which the shelter could operate, with a rapidly approaching deadline of September 29 having been issued.

Though it is unclear at this time what will become of the New River Humane Society should the 60 day deadline for evacuation not be met, it has been suggested an extension could be issued in addition to that upon which the organization has been operating in recent months.

New River Humane Society Executive Director Brooke Hucheon has yet to respond to requests for comment.

The next meeting of the Fayette County Commission will be held on Wednesday, October 5th, 2022.