PORT TOWNSEND — Advocates for the Jefferson County Animal Shelter have been gathering signatures on a petition requesting that funding for a full-time staff employee at the shelter be included in the county’s 2007 budget.
“As of today, I’m thinking we’re going to crack 1,000 signatures,” Sarah Becker, a volunteer at the shelter and organizer of the petition effort, said Tuesday.
She said she had more than 800 signatures in hand, with petitions still out.
One place hosting the petition is Frog Mountain Pet Care in Port Townsend, owned by Harold and Jane Elyea.
“The point of this petition is to say that this isn’t just a few crazy animal lovers supporting the shelter, but it has countywide support,” said Jane Elyea.
The Elyeas have donated money to the shelter in the past and believe a humane shelter to be of paramount concern in the county.
Request denied so far
The shelter, located off Jacob Miller Road, is run by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Two deputies work at the shelter full time, but they often are called away to deal with emergency calls, said Becker.
That forces them to lock the doors to the shelter and leave no one to attend to the animals and those interested in adopting.
Deputy Tony Hernandez, director of the shelter, asked for a full-time staff position.
In the preliminary 2007 budget, his request was denied.
Becker and the Elyeas plan to plead for shelter funding at Monday’s Jefferson County Commission meeting.
A public hearing is planned at 10:05 a.m. on the proposed budget.
It will be in the commissioners’ chambers on the ground floor of the county courthouse building, 1820 Jefferson St.
“This is a way of letting them know that people do care about the shelter,” said Jane Elyea.
“Any petition by constituents needs to be taken seriously,” said Commissioner Pat Rodgers, R-Brinnon.
“It calls attention to the subject.”
He pointed out that the budget, at this point, is still a proposal and is subject to change.
He said the commissioners have not taken a stand on the shelter yet.
